Winners were announced at the 51ST Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs), a star-studded ceremony broadcasted live April 3 on the CBS Television Network from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The industry named Jason Aldean as Entertainer of the Year, the evening’s biggest honor. Aldean has been previously nominated four times in this category.
Dolly Parton was presented the Tex Ritter Award to recognize the success of Coat of Many Colors. The Tex Ritter Award is presented to recognize a motion picture that featured country music and received major exposure. Parton and pop superstar Katy Perry joined forces for an unprecedented duet performance live on the telecast.
Chris Stapleton won Male Vocalist of the Year for the first time. As previously announced, he came into the night already a winner of the New Male Vocalist of the Year award. Stapleton was the leading winner of the night with a total of six wins, including Album of the Year as both Artist and Producer, and Song of the Year as both Artist and Producer. With his six wins he ties the record for most ACM Awards won in a single year. Only Garth Brooks and Faith Hill have reached this pinnacle before.
Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year for the seventh consecutive year, setting a new record for the most consecutive wins in that category. Lambert also won Vocal Event of the Year for Smokin’ And Drinkin’ with Little Big Town, presented prior to the show on the red carpet.
Little Big Town won the Vocal Group of the Year award for the second year in a row, and third time overall. They also won Vocal Event of the Year for Smokin’ And Drinkin’ with Miranda Lambert.
Thomas Rhett won Single Record of the Year for Die A Happy Man. This was Rhett’s first-ever ACM award win.
Kelsea Ballerini was previously awarded New Female Vocalist of the Year, and performed an energetic medley of her new single Peter Pan and her breakout number-one hit Love Me Like You Mean It, with Nick Jonas.
Eric Church won Video of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood. Florida Georgia Line won Vocal Duo of the Year for the third year in a row. Both Church and Florida Georgia Line were presented with the awards prior to the telecast.
Following is the list of winners in the 13 categories voted on by the membership:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Florida Georgia Line
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Little Big Town
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Chris Stapleton
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Kelsea Ballerini
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Old Dominion
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
Nobody To Blame – Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman
Publishers: House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Quackhead Music (BMI), RayLynn Publishing (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
Directors: Reid Long, John Peets
Producer: Megan Smith
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)
Smokin’ And Drinkin’ – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town
Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville
