Unveiling the Victors: A Night of Country Music Triumphs
The Evening's Inaugural Honors
The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards kicked off with significant wins, setting an energetic tone for the night. Ella Langley's captivating track, "Choosin' Texas," was an early standout, earning the prestigious titles of Song of the Year and Single of the Year. The acclaimed group, The Red Clay Strays, were celebrated as Group of the Year, while the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn secured the award for Duo of the Year, marking a memorable start to the ceremony.
Recognizing Individual Artistic Excellence
Beyond the collective achievements, individual artists were also spotlighted for their remarkable contributions. Cody Johnson was distinguished as the Male Artist of the Year, acknowledging his powerful presence and musical impact. The emerging talents were also honored, with Avery Anna being named Best New Female Artist and Tucker Wetmore receiving the accolade for Best New Male Artist. Furthermore, the collaborative track "Don't Mind If I Do" by Riley Green featuring Ella Langley was celebrated as the Music Event of the Year, highlighting successful artistic partnerships.
Songwriting Prowess and Engaging Performances
The evening also paid tribute to the craft of songwriting, with Jessie Jo Dillon achieving a historic third consecutive win for Songwriter of the Year. The awards ceremony was punctuated by a series of dynamic performances, starting with Wilson's electrifying rendition of "Can't Sit Still." Audiences were treated to a diverse lineup of performances from artists including Anna, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett & Jordan Davis, Zach Top, Little Big Town, Riley Green, The Red Clay Strays, Kacey Musgraves, and Parker McCollum & Lee Ann Womack, ensuring a night filled with unforgettable musical moments.
The Rigorous Selection Process
The winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards are determined through a comprehensive voting process involving over 5,000 members of the Academy of Country Music, representing a record-high participation. Eligibility for the 61st awards ceremony was based on works released within the calendar year 2025, ensuring that the honors reflected the most current and impactful contributions to country music.
Categories and Honorees
The event meticulously recognized excellence across various categories, each highlighting specific facets of country music artistry:
- Entertainer of the Year: Nominees included Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson.
- Female Artist of the Year: Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson were among the nominees.
- Male Artist of the Year: Cody Johnson was the triumphant winner, alongside nominees Luke Combs, Riley Green, Chris Stapleton, and Zach Top.
- Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays emerged victorious, competing with 49 Winchester, Flatland Cavalry, Old Dominion, and Rascal Flatts.
- Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn claimed the award, with Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Muscadine Bloodline, and Thelma & James also nominated.
- New Female Artist of the Year: Avery Anna received the honor, besting Mackenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones, and Emily Ann Roberts.
- New Male Artist of the Year: Tucker Wetmore was the winner in a category that also featured Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason, Shaboozey, and Hudson Westbrook.
- Album of the Year: This award considers the artist(s), producer(s), and record label(s). Nominated albums included Ain't In It For My Health by Zach Top, Cherry Valley by Carter Faith, Don't Mind If I Do (Deluxe) by Riley Green, I'm The Problem by Morgan Wallen, and Parker McCollum by Parker McCollum.
- Song of the Year: Recognizing songwriter(s), publisher(s), and artist(s), "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley was the winner. Other nominated songs were "A Song to Sing" by Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton, "Am I Okay?" by Megan Moroney, "I Never Lie" by Zach Top, and "Somewhere Over Laredo" by Lainey Wilson.
- Single of the Year: Awarded to artist(s), producer(s), and record label(s), "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley also secured this title. Nominees included "6 Months Later" by Megan Moroney, "I Never Lie" by Zach Top, "Somewhere Over Laredo" by Lainey Wilson, and "The Fall" by Cody Johnson.
- Music Event of the Year: Highlighting collaborative efforts involving artist(s), producer(s), and record label(s), "Don't Mind If I Do" by Riley Green featuring Ella Langley was the winner. Other nominated events included "A Song To Sing" by Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton, "Amen" by Shaboozey & Jelly Roll, "Trailblazer" by Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and "You Had To Be There" by Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney.
- Visual Media of the Year: This category honored producer(s), director(s), and artist(s) for their visual storytelling. Nominees included "6 Months Later" by Megan Moroney, "A Song To Sing" by Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton, "Cuckoo" by Stephen Wilson, Jr., "Somewhere Over Laredo" by Lainey Wilson, and "The Fall" by Cody Johnson.
- Songwriter of the Year: Jessie Jo Dillon was the celebrated winner, with Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Chase McGill, and Blake Pendergrass also nominated.
- Artist-Songwriter of the Year: Ella Langley took home this award, with Luke Combs, Riley Green, Megan Moroney, and Morgan Wallen also nominated for their dual talents.