Lainey Wilson & Ella Langley Dominate ACM Awards – A Night of Milestones

The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards was a night to remember, celebrating the best of country music and honoring both established legends and rising stars. Hosted by the incomparable Reba McEntire, the event was packed with electrifying performances, unforgettable moments, and well-deserved wins.

Lainey Wilson Shines as Entertainer of the Year

Lainey Wilson once again proved why she’s one of country music’s biggest stars, taking home the prestigious ACM Entertainer of the Year award for the second consecutive year. She joins an elite club of female artists who have won the award back-to-back, including Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Wilson also won Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Whirlwind, and *Artist-Songwriter of the Year, bringing her ACM Awards tally to sixteen.

In her heartfelt acceptance speech for Female Artist of the Year, Wilson celebrated the impact of women in country music, saying, “The girls are kicking down some barn doors—and I love it!”

Ella Langley Dominates the Night

The breakout star of the night was Ella Langley, who took home five awards, making her the winningest artist of the evening. Her song “you look like you love me”, a collaboration with Riley Green, won Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year, and Visual Media of the Year, earning accolades for both Langley and Green. Additionally, Langley secured the New Female Artist of the Year award, marking an incredible debut ACM Awards run.

Langley, overwhelmed by the recognition, expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m on cloud nine.”

Alan Jackson Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

A true country icon, Alan Jackson was honoured with the inaugural Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his legendary career spanning decades. With over 75 million records sold and 35 No. 1 singles, Jackson’s impact on country music is undeniable. This new award will continue to honour artists who have achieved international prominence through their music, philanthropy, and influence.

Other Notable Wins

The night also saw long-time favorites returning to the winner’s circle:

• Brooks & Dunn won Duo of the Year—their first in 15 years and a record-breaking 17th win in the category.
• Old Dominion secured their eighth consecutive Group of the Year win, surpassing Rascal Flatts’ previous record.
• Chris Stapleton took home Male Artist of the Year, marking his fifth overall win in the category, just one shy of Merle Haggard’s record.

First-time winners included Cody Johnson, whose Dirt Cheap won Song of the Year, and Zach Top, who was recognized as New Male Artist of the Year.

Memorable Performances & Collaborations

From tribute performances to exciting collaborations, the ACM Awards delivered plenty of musical magic:

• Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney, and Brothers Osborne paid tribute to Keith Urban with a medley of his biggest hits.
• Miranda Lambert teamed up with Ella Langley to perform Kerosene, celebrating the song’s 20th anniversary.
• Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson debuted their much-anticipated new track, Trailblazer.
• A surprise joint performance by Rascal Flatts and the Backstreet Boys had the audience singing along to Life is a Highway and Larger Than Life.

Country Music’s Biggest Night

With a star-studded lineup of presenters—including legends like Blake Shelton, Clint Black, and Wynonna Judd—the event was a fitting celebration of country music’s rich history and exciting future. The show can be watched back on Amazon Prime video for a limited time.

As the dust settles on this year’s ACM Awards, one thing is clear: the genre continues to evolve, with artists pushing boundaries while staying true to country music’s storytelling roots. Whether it’s the rise of fresh talent like Ella Langley, the continued dominance of Lainey Wilson, or the enduring legacy of icons like Alan Jackson, the UK’s country music fans have plenty to be excited about.