A Night of Tributes, Milestones, and New Horizons in Country Music.
A Collective Serenade for Willie Nelson's 93rd Birthday
During the 2026 ACM Awards held in Las Vegas, country superstar Shania Twain, serving as the evening's host, alongside recording artist Shaboozey, orchestrated a heartfelt moment. They united the entire audience in a grand gesture to wish country music legend Willie Nelson a happy 93rd birthday. Shaboozey captured the collective well-wishes with a selfie video, immortalizing the crowd's unanimous participation before presenting the Single of the Year award, an honor Nelson himself received in 1982 for "Always on My Mind." This year, the accolade was presented to Ella Langley for her track "Choosin' Texas."
Shania Twain's Hosting Debut and Reflective Monologue
The Sunday ceremony marked a significant milestone for Shania Twain as she took on the role of host for the very first time. Following an electrifying opening performance by Lainey Wilson with "Can't Sit Still," Twain made her entrance to her classic hit "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" Her monologue was a moment of reflection, acknowledging that it had been three decades since she earned her first ACM Award for her monumental album, Come On Over, which featured the very song she entered to. She shared her journey, noting that while she began singing at age 8, her first top 10 hit didn't come until she was 30.
Announcing a New Album and Honoring Hosting Legacies
Twain delighted fans by announcing her forthcoming album, Little Miss Twain, set to be released in July. She described the album as a narrative of her extensive career path. With a touch of humility, she remarked that her younger self, "Little Miss Twain," would never have envisioned hosting such a prestigious event. She paid homage to the esteemed line of past ACM Awards hosts, including icons like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Charley Pride, Glen Campbell, and Kenny Rogers, recognizing their contributions to the show's rich history.
A Touching Nod to Dolly Parton and Future Plans
Later in the program, Twain shared a poignant video clip of Dolly Parton announcing Twain as the Entertainer of the Year award winner in 2000. Twain, unable to attend that ceremony due to being abroad, expressed her deep gratitude, stating that her "greatest hero ever" had accepted the award on her behalf. She publicly thanked Parton, expressing enduring affection and anticipation for her return to the stage, subtly referencing Parton's recent health challenges. While the night was filled with performances from various artists, Twain chose not to perform herself. As the event concluded, she revealed that the ACM Awards would return to Vegas in 2027.
Passing the Torch and Celebrating Ongoing Success
Shania Twain seamlessly stepped into the hosting shoes, taking over from fellow country legend Reba McEntire, who had graced the stage as host a remarkable 18 times, including the 2024 and 2025 ceremonies. Twain herself boasts an impressive five ACM Awards throughout her career, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year award in 2000. In a pre-show interview with Billboard, Twain conveyed her excitement about hosting, describing it as a unique opportunity to reconnect with peers and meet many newer artists for the first time, embracing the full experience of the ACM