Some of the country music industry’s biggest stars received their flowers during the 16th annual Academy of Country Music Honors, which aired Monday night on FOX.
Four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce hosted the pre-recorded event, which was filmed on August 23, for the third year in a row. The celebration honored Chris Stapleton, Kane Brown and Tim McGraw as well as those not spotlighted at the ACM Awards – which took place on May 11 – and featured performances from an array of iconic artists such as Nelly, Lady A, Keith Urban and The War And Treaty.
Notably, the 2023 ACM Honors event presented the Spirit Award to the late Charlie Daniels and the Icon Award to McGraw and retired music director Mike Dungan. Additionally, the Poets Award for songwriting honored the trio of Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter and KT Oslin, and BRELAND received the ACM’s Lift Every Voice Award.
These are the highlights of the ACM Honors 2023 event.
Chris Stapleton received the Triple Crown Award
Chris Stapleton, reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, has received the Triple Crown award as he has now won the ACM awards for New Male Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. ‘year. Miranda Lambert was also honored in 2022.
Stapleton’s honors on the program created moments that redefined the revered artist’s professional success and redefined the value of his highly respected songbook.
“(Chris) levels all the walls and keeps us moving forward,” Marty Stuart said when presenting him with the award.
Among more than a dozen performances featured on the show (from artists including Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Lady A, Carly Pearce, Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood), The War and Treaty’s handling of “Cold ” by Stapleton elevated a blues song about heartbreak to a masterclass in the art of delivering a soulful, gut-driven power ballad.
When Stapleton, impressed by his achievement and the way he was honored, said, “I’m just here playing songs, to see if anything can happen,” it’s a striking cast of how and why he is a Triple Crown level performer in the world. same class as Merle Haggard.
HARDY among songwriters recognized at ACM Honors
HARDY was honored as Songwriter of the Year (alongside NSAI Songwriter of the Decade Ashley Gorley and her nearly six dozen No. 1 hits) during the festivities, meaning four decades of music were recounted during the debates.
He was described by Bailey Zimmerman (who performed his 2019 track “Signed Sober You”) as a “fearless and honest” creator who followed his own path to fame.
Similar things can be said about the trio of Black, Carpenter, and Oslin, all of whom received the ACM Poets Prize.
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For Brandy Clark, performing “80s Ladies” in honor of her longtime friend Oslin was especially heartfelt as she last performed the song at Oslin’s funeral in 2020. Additionally, the artist who signing his recording contract at age 45 was groundbreaking in highlighting the timeless power of great song.
Clark hoped his performance could inspire a streaming revival of his music catalog.
“Her work has inspired me and taught me a lot of things,” the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.
“(KT Oslin) created a model for writing dramatically about the timeless qualities of human relationships. Women of a certain age related to her in a unique way because she had the strength to never fear who she was. as a person and performer.
Kane Brown received the ACM International Award
Because it’s not as explicitly focused on the achievements of artists and songs “of the year,” ACM Honors perpetually finds a way to highlight the work of those who are essential to the life of the industry on Music Row and behind the scenes on tours around the world.
Kane Brown has ten No. 1 singles at country radio, but receiving the ACM International Award and presenting it to him by Country Music Hall of Fame member Randy Travis brings Brown’s rise to prominence full circle after taking over the Travis songs on social media. being a consistent, intercontinental headliner was a no-brainer.
Moments like these highlight how the genre continues to emerge and sustain itself as a commercial powerhouse and social unifier.
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Nelly performed “Over and Over” in tribute to Tim McGraw’s Icon Award.
For pop fanatics watching the ACM Honors, Nelly’s appearance to honor Tim McGraw’s Icon Award by performing their 2004 classic “Over and Over” was probably a highlight.
The duo were also in awe of each other in a heartwarming way that recalled the universal appeal of country music. McGraw noted that “Over and Over” was important because it was a song that both artists approached – at the height of their careers – with an “unconditional” appreciation of each other’s work.
McGraw added: “I’m pretty lucky. Country music has brought me all the good in my life.”
“I mean, I wouldn’t have met my wife without country music. I wouldn’t have my three daughters without country music. I couldn’t make movies. I couldn’t make TV shows. I wouldn’t do anything I’ve ever done without country music,” he said.
Tim McGrawis firm in his convictions and his love for his family: “I defend what I defend”
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