Great news, country music fans, the official lineup for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards is out!
The star-studded event will stream live on May 16 from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. It will be available to watch from the comfort of your own home, if you’d prefer, on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel and Prime Video.
Hosted by the one and only Reba McEntire, this year’s award show promises to be an unforgettable night filled with surprises and one-of-a-kind performances. McEntire, a country icon herself, brings decades of experience and charisma to the event. There is no doubt in our minds that she will ensure the show strikes the perfect balance between heartfelt tributes and high-energy moments.
New Performers Pair Up!
Newly announced performers include Jelly Roll, Dan + Shay, Sugarland, LeAnn Rimes, Shaboozey, and Megan Moroney. They join an already stacked powerhouse lineup that features Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson. Wilson, who recently made headlines for landing a role in the upcoming adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, will also be taking the stage. Along with Eric Church and Blake Shelton, all three artists were the first to be confirmed for the event.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the ACM Awards shared, “We’re going all out for #ACM60 with an opening you won’t want to miss… Celebrate SIX decades of country music history with 12 minutes of nonstop music highlighting ACM Songs of the Year.”
One of the evening’s biggest draws will be its collaborative performances from country favorites. Fans can look forward to unique but exciting pairings like Brooks & Dunn with Cody Johnson, Backstreet Boys with Rascal Flatts, and Jelly Roll with Shaboozey. These are definitely exciting combinations, especially following the buzz from Stagecoach Festival earlier this month, which now makes sense. These cross-genre and cross-generational collaborations are expected to create unforgettable moments that highlight the genre’s versatility and broad appeal.
Ella Langley Leads The Way
Blending legendary acts with rising stars, as well as featuring a mix of solo and group performances, this year’s ACM Awards will showcase the evolving landscape of country music. Safe to say it will honor its roots while celebrating its future.
The official nominations were revealed back in March, with Ella Langley leading the pack with eight nominations. Close behind were Wilson, Morgan Wallen, and Cody Johnson, each earning seven nods. These artists have all had breakout years, dominating the charts and earning worldwide praise from critics and fans alike. Especially Wallen, who is so close to releasing his new anticipated album, “I’m The Problem,” out on May 16.
Ahead of the big night, the ACMs also announced early wins. Langley was named ACM New Female Artist of the Year, and Zach Top took home the title of ACM New Male Artist of the Year.
Don’t miss the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, airing Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. CT! It’s set to be a night to remember!
