ACM Awards: Two Performers Share Entertainer of the Year
For the first time ever, there's a tie for ACM Entertainer of the Year, with the top award being shared by Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood. The awards were presented on Wednesday, September 16, with both artists accepting from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
"Oh my goodness gracious, what is happening right now?" a surprised Thomas Rhett said while accepting the award from host Keith Urban. He also thanked Jesus Christ, his wife and daughters, his record label and management, band and crew, and more. "Thank you to the fans. Thank you to the ACMs. I love you, I love you, thank you," he concluded.
"2020, man!" Underwood remarked upon accepting the award. "Thank you God, so much, all glory to God. Thank you to the ACM not just for this, but for putting me in such incredible company. I am more than happy to share this with Thomas Rhett, and to have my name mentioned with his -- and Luke and Luke and Eric Church. I am beyond honored," she said, then continued to thank fans and business associates.
A number of ACM Awards were also presented to stars like Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Blake Shelton, and more. See the list below for a list of categories and winners.
The 55th ACM Awards were broadcast on the CBS Television Network, with filming taking place at the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Bluebird Cafe.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
[TIE, WINNER] Thomas Rhett
[TIE, WINNER] Carrie Underwood
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
[WINNER] Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
[WINNER] Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
[WINNER] Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
[WINNER] Old Dominion
The Highwomen
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Lindsay Ell
Caylee Hammack
[WINNER] Tenille Townes
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jordan Davis
Russell Dickerson
[WINNER] Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Morgan Wallen
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)
[WINNER] “God’s Country,” Blake Shelton
Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Bros. (Nashville)
“One Man Band,” Old Dominion
Producer: Shane McAnally; Label: RCA Records Nashville
“Rainbow,” Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian; Label: MCA Nashville
“Rumor,” Lee Brice
Producers: Lee Brice, Dan Frizsell, Kyle Jacobs, Jon Stone; Label: Curb Records
“What If I Never Get Over You,” Lady Antebellum
Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)
“10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
Songwriters: Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Jessie Jo Dillon, Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” Ashley McBryde
Songwriters: Jeremy Bussey, Ashley McBryde
“God’s Country,” Blake Shelton
Songwriters: Devin Dawson, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt
[WINNER] “One Man Band,” Old Dominion
Songwriters: Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi
“Some of It,” Eric Church
Songwriters: Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)
Center Point Road, Thomas Rhett
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Thomas Rhett, The Stereotypes, Cleve Wilson; Label: The Valory Music Co.
GIRL, Maren Morris
Producers: busbee, Greg Kurstin, Maren Morris; Label: Columbia Nashville
Heartache Medication, Jon Pardi
Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
[WINNER] What You See Is What You Get, Luke Combs
Producer: Scott Moffatt; Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
Wildcard, Miranda Lambert
Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)
“10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
Director: Patrick Tracy; Producer: Christen Pinkston
“God’s Country,” Blake Shelton
Director: Sophie Muller; Producers: Jamie Amos, Patrick Kennedy
“One Man Band,” Old Dominion
Director: Mason Allen; Producer: Mason Allen
[WINNER] “Remember You Young,” Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy; Producer: Dan Atchison
“Sugar Coat,” Little Big Town
Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos; Producers: Wes Edwards, Carlo Glorioso, Angie Lorenz
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)
“10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
Producers: Dan Smyers; Label: Warner Music Nashville
“Dive Bar,” Garth Brooks Featuring Blake Shelton
Producers: Garth Brooks; Label: Pearl Records, Inc.
[WINNER] “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” Miranda Lambert Featuring Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King
Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
Producers: Michael Trent Reznor, Atticus Matthew Ross, YoungKio; Label: Columbia Records
“What Happens in a Small Town” – Brantley Gilbert Featuring Lindsay Ell
Producer: Dann Huff; Label: The Valory Music Co.
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
[WINNER] Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne