WOMEN LEAD NOMINATIONS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Nominations are Led by Megan Moroney (9), Followed by Miranda Lambert (eight), Ella Langley (seven), Lainey Wilson (seven), Chris Stapleton (six), Zach Top (5), and Cody Johnson (4)
61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM
Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 9, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) introduced nominations for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson receiving probably the most nominations. The 61st ACM Awards will stream dwell solely for a world viewers throughout 240+ nations and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will even be capable to watch the published on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, in addition to within the Amazon Music app.
Returning to the Sunday evening timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards expertise will function unprecedented performances, unique collaborations, and surprising moments from the largest Country Music stars, together with performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with extra to be introduced within the coming weeks. Leading as much as the large evening, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with beforehand introduced ACM Awards week occasions together with “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green, in addition to “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and extra.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week occasions can be found for buy on AXS.com, providing followers unique entry right into a nonstop weekend filled with performances by their favourite Country stars.
Fans also can stream the Official ACM Awards playlist obtainable now on Amazon Music in celebration of this 12 months’s nominees. Fans can hearken to nation music’s greatest stars, akin to Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, instantly on the Amazon Music app HERE.
NOMINEE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS:
- Female artists lead with probably the most nominations, together with Megan Moroney with 9 nominations, adopted by Miranda Lambert with eight nominations, after which adopted by Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, tied with seven nominations every.
- Megan Moroney leads with probably the most nominations, and probably the most nominations throughout classes, with 9 complete, together with her first nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and third consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and Visual Media of the Year (“6 Months Later”) as an Artist, and her first as Director. Moroney additionally receives nominations for Song of the Year (“Am I Ok?”) as an Artist and Songwriter, Single of the Year (“6 Months Later”), and Music Event of the Year (“You Had To Be There”) with Kenny Chesney.
- Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history, receives eight nominations, the most nominations she’s received in a single year since 2016. She receives her 17th nomination for Female Artist of the Year and her ninth nomination for Song of the Year, and 16th total nomination (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
- Ella Langley, the reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year, receives seven nominations. This is her first nomination in the Artist-Songwriter of the Year category, as well as her first nomination credited as a Producer for Single of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas”).
- Lainey Wilson, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, receives seven nominations. This marks her fourth consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and third straight nod for Entertainer of the Year, classes she has gained yearly she’s been nominated. Wilson’s nomination for Song of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo”), marks her fifth consecutive within the class and ninth complete nomination general (together with Artist and Songwriter credit) within the class.
- Chris Stapleton, the reigning Male Artist of the Year, receives probably the most nominations for a male artist with six complete, together with his fifth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and his eleventh consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year (an award he’s gained 5 occasions).
- Zach Top, the reigning New Male Artist of the Year, receives 5 nominations, together with his first for Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), each as an Artist and Songwriter, and for Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”).
- Cody Johnson receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year, in addition to his fourth consecutive nomination for Visual Media of the Year (“The Fall”).
- Riley Green receives 4 nominations, his third consecutive for Music Event of the Year, and his first-ever nominations for Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
- Morgan Wallen receives his fourth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and his third nomination for Album of the Year (I’m The Problem).
- Luke Combs receives his seventh consecutive nomination for each Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. A win for Combs within the Entertainer class will even clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an Entertainer of the Year win, plus wins in an act’s respective New Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) and Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) classes. Past ACM Triple Crown Award recipients embrace Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and others. Combs earns his third nomination for Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
- Jelly Roll receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
- Parker McCollum receives his first-ever nomination for Album of the Year (Parker McCollum).
- Old Dominion obtain their eleventh consecutive nomination for Group of the Year. The group has taken house the title yearly for the final eight years, passing Rascal Flatts for probably the most consecutive wins within the class.
- Brothers Osborne obtain their nineteenth general nomination. This is their twelfth consecutive 12 months being nominated for Duo of the Year, an award the pair has introduced house 4 occasions.
- Kelsea Ballerini receives her ninth nomination for Female Artist of the Year.
- Rascal Flatts obtain their 14th nomination for Group of the Year.
- Reba McEntire receives her first nomination since 2020, making this her seventh nomination for Music Event of the Year (“Trailblazer”).
- Every Song of the Year nominee can be credited as a songwriter on their respective observe, with Miranda Lambert incomes two separate nominations within the class.
FIRST TIME NOMINEES INCLUDE:
- 49 Winchester
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Carter Faith
- Caroline Jones
- Vincent Mason
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Thelma & James (*MacKenzie Porter nominated for Music Event of the Year in 2022 with Dustin Lynch)
- Hudson Westbrook
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
The following is the total record of nominees for the ACM Main Awards classes:
MAIN AWARDS:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Cavalry
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Dasha
- Caroline Jones
- Emily Ann Roberts
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Gavin Adcock
- Vincent Mason
- Shaboozey
- Hudson Westbrook
- Tucker Wetmore
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Cherry Valley – Carter Faith
Producer: Tofer Brown
Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
- Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green
Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
- Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse
Record Company-Label: MCA
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine
- Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley
Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
- Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley
Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
Producers: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records
Producers: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb
Record Company-Label: Republic Records
- Amen – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook
Record Company-Label: Empire
- Don’t Mind If I Do – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
Producers: Dann Huff
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- Trailblazer – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
Record Company-Label: MCA
- You Had To Be There – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: James Stratakis
Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos
- Cuckoo -Stephen Wilson, Jr.
Producers: Tim Cofield
Director: Tim Cofield
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Katie Babbage
Director: TK McKamy
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Charlie Handsome
- Chase McGill
- Blake Pendergrass
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Morgan Wallen
NOMINEES IN NUMERICAL ORDER:
- Megan Moroney (9): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year (Artist and Director nominations); Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Miranda Lambert (8): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (“A Song To Sing” – Artist and Songwriter nominations); Song of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas” – Songwriter nomination); Single of the Year (Producer nomination); Music Event of the Year (“A Song To Sing” and “Trailblazer”); Visual Media of the Year
- Ella Langley (7): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year (Artist and Producer nominations); Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Lainey Wilson (7): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter); Single of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
- Chris Stapleton (6): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year
- Zach Top (5): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year, Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year
- Riley Green (4): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Cody Johnson (4): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Single of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
- Luke Combs (3): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Artist-Songwriter
- Morgan Wallen (3): Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year; Artist-Songwriter
- Jelly Roll (2): Entertainer of the Year; Music Event of the Year
- Reba McEntire (2): Music Event of the Year; Music Event of the Year (Producer)
- Shaboozey (2): New Male Artist of the Year; Music Event of the Year
- 49 Winchester (1): Group of the Year
- Gavin Adcock (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Avery Anna (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini (1): Female Artist of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn (1): Duo of the Year
- Brothers Osborne (1): Duo of the Year
- Mackenzie Carpenter (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Kenny Chesney (1): Music Event of the Year
- Dan + Shay (1): Duo of the Year
- Dasha (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Carter Faith (1): Album of the Year
- Flatland Cavalry (1): Group of the Year
- Caroline Jones (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Vincent Mason (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Parker McCollum (1): Album of the Year
- Muscadine Bloodline (1): Duo of the Year
- Old Dominion (1): Group of the Year
- Rascal Flatts (1): Group of the Year
- The Red Clay Strays (1): Group of the Year
- Emily Ann Roberts (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Thelma & James (1): Duo of the Year
- Hudson Westbrook (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Tucker Wetmore (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Stephen Wilson Jr. (1): Visual Media of the Year
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- The eligibility interval for submissions for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is January 1, 2025, by means of December 31, 2025.
- The awards depend for artists displays classes through which they’ve been acknowledged as people or as a part of their duo or group. In some instances, an artist might obtain multiple nomination per class, akin to producer, director, or songwriter, which elements into their official depend.
- Award recipients in every class are famous above in brackets within the Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and Music Event of the Year.
- Awards are voted on by members of the Academy of Country Music, which boasts a record-high membership this 12 months of greater than 5,000 members and serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country followers, artists, and all sides of the enterprise.
- A full database of earlier Academy of Country Music Awards nominations and winners could be discovered on the Academy of Country Music web site within the “Past Winners” part discovered HERE.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards present and made historical past in 2022 as the primary main awards ceremony to solely livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are govt producers, with Kapoor additionally serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as govt producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman function govt producers for DCP. John Saade will even proceed to function consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers, presenters, ACM Awards week occasions, and the host shall be introduced within the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cowl on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now obtainable HERE.
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