The 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM 2025) lit up the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, with everything you’d expect from a major night in country music, plus a few surprises that’ll be talked about for years. Held on May 8 and hosted (once again) by the legendary Reba McEntire, marking her whopping 18th time emceeing, the show celebrated its 60th anniversary in classic ACM style: heartfelt, flashy, and full of twang. It streamed live on Prime Video, so fans around the world could catch every guitar lick and teary speech.
As always, it was a night where legends rubbed elbows with rising stars, and the genre’s steady evolution was on full display. Country’s staying true to its roots, but it’s also branching out in exciting directions.
ACM 2025: Leading Nominees and Fan Favorites
Heading into the night, the buzz was already building around a few big names. Ella Langley led the nomination pack with an impressive eight nods, showing just how much momentum she’s gained with both fans and industry insiders. Not far behind were Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson, each racking up seven noms of their own.
And yes, Post Malone’s country crossover era is officially a thing now. With five nominations under his belt, it’s clear he’s not just dabbling, he’s fully in. Riley Green matched that number, too, thanks to his steady stream of soulful tracks and growing fan base.
These nominations felt like a snapshot of where the country’s headed: fresh voices, genre-blending sounds, and stories that hit home for a wide audience.
Lainey Wilson Has Her Moment—and Then Some
Lainey Wilson straight-up owned the night. She walked away with four major awards, including the crown jewel: Entertainer of the Year. That’s a big deal, especially because she’s now the first woman since Taylor Swift (2009–2010) to win it back-to-back.
Her wins also included:
-
Female Artist of the Year
-
Album of the Year for Whirlwind
-
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
During her emotional speeches, Wilson opened up about her journey, from a tiny town to the ACM stage, and it hit hard. Whirlwind has been praised for its powerful storytelling and that signature grit in her vocals, and now it’s got the trophies to back it up.
Ella Langley Steps Fully Into the Spotlight
If anyone came close to matching Lainey’s shine, it was Ella Langley. With five wins (yes, five), she officially stamped her name as a new powerhouse on the scene. Among her biggest moments:
-
New Female Artist of the Year
-
Single of the Year for her duet “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green
-
Wins in key songwriting and collaboration categories
Langley’s live performance was electric, raw, emotional, and bursting with that “this is my time” energy. Critics and fans alike are calling her one of the most exciting voices in Nashville right now, and it’s not hard to see why.
Veterans Hold Their Ground
The night wasn’t all about the newcomers. Some country royalty took home well-deserved honors, too.
Chris Stapleton snagged Male Artist of the Year yet again, continuing his reign with that gravelly voice and stage presence that never fails to command attention.
Brooks & Dunn proved that chemistry doesn’t fade with time, grabbing Duo of the Year like it was the ’90s all over again.
Old Dominion? Still at the top of their game, securing Group of the Year thanks to their tight harmonies and ability to straddle the country-pop line like pros.
A few other shout-outs:
-
Megan Moroney: Video of the Year
-
Bailey Zimmerman: New Male Artist of the Year
-
Kelsea Ballerini: Song of the Year
These wins showed off the genre’s range, from rootsy ballads to pop-leaning anthems, and why fans from all walks of life continue to tune in.
Lifetime Honors & Tearjerkers
With 60 years of history behind them, the ACMs made sure to shine a light on their legacy.
Alan Jackson was honored with the newly renamed Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. Yeah, they named it after him this year, so if that doesn’t say “legend,” what does? His performance and acceptance speech had more than a few folks misty-eyed.
Keith Urban took home the Triple Crown Award, a rare honor for artists who’ve won New Artist, Male Artist, and Entertainer of the Year in their careers. Not many have done it. Urban’s still setting a high bar.
Performances That Brought the House Down: ACM 2025
Let’s be real: it wouldn’t be the ACMs without some epic performances—and this year didn’t disappoint.
The most unexpected (and arguably most fun) collab of the night? Rascal Flatts and the Backstreet Boys teaming up for a nostalgic, high-energy mashup that somehow just worked.
Cody Johnson and Brooks & Dunn delivered a duet that was pure fire—classic meets contemporary in all the best ways.
And Jelly Roll with Shaboozey? Straight heat. That set had people on their feet, phones out, shouting along.
But the crown jewel performance? That belonged to Reba, Lainey, and Miranda Lambert. Their new anthem “Trailblazer” debuted live, paying homage to women who’ve paved the way in country music. The crowd ate it up. Chills, applause, maybe even a few happy tears.
60 Years of Country Music Magic
This year’s ACM Awards weren’t just about the trophies or the stagecraft—they were a celebration of country music’s long, rich story. From dusty honky-tonks to streaming charts, this genre has grown, shifted, and adapted without losing its heart.
And if the night proved anything, it’s that the country’s future looks just as bright as its past. With stars like Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley leading the charge, and veterans like Stapleton and Urban still bringing their A-game, the torch is in good hands.
