Dolly Parton announced Miranda Lambert as Entertainer of The Year at The 57th ACM Awards. It was the first time in 17 years that Miranda had missed a show, and her very first win for Entertainer, which she accepted via video from London. Miranda said, “I’ve been waiting for this for a really, really long time. I actually never thought it would happen.” Miranda also won for Video of the Year with Elle King for “Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home).” This brings Miranda's total ACM Awards count to 37, more than any artist in ACM Awards history.
Lainey Wilson led the night in total wins with three, including New Female and as both artist and writer for Song of the Year for her debut chart-topper, “Things A Man Oughta Know.”
Before introducing Jimmie Allen’s opening performance, Dolly delivered a world sentiment and said, “I want to send love and hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.”
Morgan Wallen, who won Album of The Year, surprised many just by being in attendance. He was deemed ineligible for last year’s awards after he uttered a racial slur which was captured on video.
Female Artist of The Year went to Carly Pearce, while Chris Stapleton picked up Best Male Artist.
Along with several songs through-out the show, the streaming aspect allowed for a 35 minute segment of continuous performances. That included Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood with their Number One song, “If I Didn’t Love You.” They also won Single of The Year.
Dolly Parton, along with Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett took turns with introductions from various stages. Live from Allegiant Stadium, the show was streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime for the first time ever on Monday night (March 7th).
WINNERS
- Entertainer of The Year
- Miranda Lambert
- Female Artist of The Year
- Carly Pearce
- Male Artist of The Year
- Chris Stapleton
- Album of The Year
- Morgan Wallen – “Dangerous: The Double Album”
- Single of the Year
- “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
- Song of The Year
- “Things a Man Oughta Know” – Lainey Wilson
- New Female Artist of The Year
- Lainey Wilson
- New Male Artist of The Year
- Parker McCollum
- Duo of The Year
- Brothers Osborne
- Group of The Year
- Old Dominion
- Video of The Year
- “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” – Elle King and Miranda Lambert
- Music Event of The Year
- “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, produced by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne
- Songwriter of The Year
- Michael Hardy
BROADCAST SOUND
BACKSTAGE SOUND
Parker McCollum on New Male win: “To get to have a night like this after putting out a record like that, just to know that it worked a little bit — you know, you wouldn't waste your time for nothin', you know. I don't know what else anybody could ask for. It's a good feeling.”
Old Dominion's Matthew Ramsey on winning an award and celebrating while those in the Ukraine are suffering: “I'm feeling very grateful that we are living in a country that allows us to fight for our dreams. These are things that we take for granted, but also my heart just hurts for the people that are hiding in basements and trying to get out of the country and their very way of life and their lives and the lives of their children are in danger. It's a strange feeling. It's a strange feeling to be here, dressing up in nice clothes and in this beautiful building. I feel grateful but also just silly at the same time, if that makes sense.”
Lainey Wilson on ACM New Female and Song of the Year wins: “If I could talk to Lainey who moved to Nashville in 2011 in a camper trailer, I'd say, 'A lot of people are gonna think you're crazy, but put in the time, roll up your sleeves, elbow grease, faith, and you gone be okay. Just tell the truth, write the truth,' and I'd just say it's all gonna work out the way it's supposed to. I feel like I'm here and I deserve to be here and that's a damn good feeling.”
Jason Aldean on his performance of “If I Didn't Love You” with Carrie Underwood where she was lowered from the stadium ceiling onto the stage: “I was scared for her, actually. When we came to rehearsals, I knew she was coming from the ceiling but I was like, 'Where is she sitting,' and then they showed me this little bitty seat. I'm like, 'Oh man,' so I went to her. I'm like, 'Man, I'm glad you're doing this and now me cause I would've tapped out,' so she's a trooper!”
Carly Pearce on winning ACM Female Vocalist for the first time: “So many of my heroes have won this award and I think just the last year's blown my mind. It's really hard to put into words what it means but I think, I hope, that this industry and this genre knows that Country music is all I've ever wanted. I have always dreamt of this moment and I will never, ever take that for granted, and I think that just going down as one of the women that won this is just the most special, sacred thing. I will cherish this forever.”