Last night, the Academy of Country Music® presented the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors™, recognizing the special award honorees, and Industry and Studio Recording Award winners from the 55th and 56th Academy of Country Music Awards™. It was a fantastic event and although last year’s winners weren’t celebrated in 2020, having two years together made it extra special.
The thing that differentiates the ACM Honors from other award shows is that they elevate the stars behind the scenes— the writers, producers, musicians, etc. We hear the songs on an album and often don’t think about all of the work that goes into it by many different people. Artists need this support to be successful and many of the songs we love wouldn’t have been written if it weren’t for these talented people.
A recurring theme at the Honors was that the country music world isn’t just about the music, it’s a community that gives back. Many stories were shared about raising money to help others, artists sharing their talents with children, and the mentorship that occurs on all levels. At Country Evolution, we are always happy to support those that help others.
For the artists that were recognized, it was so special to see their songs played by other artists, in their honor. You’ll find some of the night’s highlights below, as well as a list of people who were recognized.
14th Annual ACM Honors Song Highlights:
- Chris Janson performed “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” originally recorded by George Jones and famously co-written by Putman.
- Ronnie Dunn celebrated Joe Galante’s win of the ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award with “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You.”
- Songwriters Jessie Jo Dillon, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds and Laura Veltz took the stage to honor Dan + Shay’s acceptance of the ACM Jim Reeves International Award. They performed “Tequila,” Speechless” and “10,000 Hours.”
- Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack’s performance of “Murder on Music Row.” to honor RAC Clark receiving the ACM Mae Boren Axton Service Award.
- Trace Adkins.played Toby Keith’s hit, “Love Me If You Can.”
- Keith Urban recognized cowriter Ross Coperman by playing “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” a hit which Copperman co-wrote.
- For the final award of the evening, Ashley McBryde performed “She Got the Best of Me” in honor of Luke Combs’ outstanding contribution in music in the last year, earning him the ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award.
56TH ACM AWARDS (2020 STUDIO RECORDING AWARD WINNERS):
- BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tony Lucido
- DRUMMER OF THE YEAR: Aaron Sterling
- GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: J.T. Corenflos (Awarded Posthumously)
- PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dave Cohen
- SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ilya Toshinskiy
- STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR *TIE IN CATEGORY*: Dan Dugmore & Mike Johnson
- AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: F. Reid Shippen
- PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Jay Joyce
*INDUSTRY AWARDS NOT GIVEN IN 2020 DUE TO PANDEMIC
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED WINNERS:
55TH ACM AWARDS (2019 INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS):
- CASINO OF THE YEAR – THEATER: The Joint: Tulsa – Tulsa, OK
- CASINO OF THE YEAR – ARENA: MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, NV
- FAIR/RODEO OF THE YEAR: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Houston, TX
- FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR: Tortuga Music Festival – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- CLUB OF THE YEAR: Joe’s Live – Rosemont, IL
- THEATER OF THE YEAR: The Beacon Theatre – New York, NY
- OUTDOOR VENUE OF THE YEAR: Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
- ARENA OF THE YEAR: Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
- DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR: Gil Cunningham – Neste Live!
- PROMOTER OF THE YEAR: Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
55TH ACM AWARDS (2019 STUDIO RECORDING AWARD WINNERS):
- BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jimmie Lee Sloas
- DRUMMER OF THE YEAR: Miles McPherson
- GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rob McNelley
- PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Gordon Mote
- SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jenee Fleenor
- STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Paul Franklin
- AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Justin Niebank
- PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: busbee (Awarded Posthumously)
For more information on the 14th Annual ACM Honors, visit www.ACMcountry.com.