Awards

Brooks & Dunn remember the first two ACM Awards they won in 1992, when they snagged both top new duo of the year and duo of the year.
“It felt like we were in the game,” said Kix Brooks. “Those were our first major awards.”

“I remember we were walking the off the stage, I was looking this way, and [Kix] was looking that way, and we were both fighting back tears,” Ronnie Dunn added.

Twenty-five ACM awards later, including winning the coveted entertainer of the year three times, the acclaimed duo received another award Wednesday night (May 7): the ACM Diamond Chairman’s Award. The honor, presented at the ACM Lifting Lives Gala at the Omni PGA Hotel in Frisco, Texas, goes to an artist who has left a mark on the academy and on the country music industry as a whole through their artistry and humanitarian efforts.

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The evening, held the night before the 60th ACM Awards, raised more than $1.3 million for ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the academy, which provides aid to people in need through health-related initiatives, including national music therapy programs, mental and physical health organizations, children’s hospitals and more.

The pair, talking to Billboard at the start of the evening, were more than happy to lend their name to raise money for a good cause. “If we can find something that somebody can attach anything that’s worthwhile and good for something, then we’re good to go,” Dunn says.

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They were feted by a number of artists who had grown up on their music and many of whom had developed deep personal ties with the most successful duo in the history of country music.

Keith Urban remember shortly after moving to America from Australia hearing the duo’s music, when songs like “Brand New Man” and “Hard Workin’ Man” “were just leaping out of the radio with so much energy,” Urban told Billboard. “They weren’t just great songs, they were great records.”

Urban, who performing a smoking version of “Brand New Man,” first met Brooks when Urban and his then band, The Ranch, were playing in a dive bar called Jack’s Guitar Bar that held around 80 people, “with wretched shag carpet everywhere that was beer soaked and just dreadful.” Brooks had heard of the band and after a formal event one evening came into the bar with his wife. “Kix is dressed to the nines and so is Barbara in this absolute sh-thole pub,” he says with a laugh. After finding the last seat for his wife, Brooks sat on the carpet in his tuxedo “and watched our whole set.” Even though The Ranch didn’t have a record deal, Brooks extended an offer to have the band open for Brooks & Dunn, which they did in 1997.

Similarly, Brooks & Dunn took Megan Moroney, who performed a sultry version of “Ain’t Nothin ‘Bout You,” out on her first arena tour in 2023. “They kind of took me under their wing. I would come out and sing ‘Cowgirls Don’t Cry’ with them every night, and I remember being really nervous to do that. Their confidence kind of [rubbed] off on me a little bit, and made me feel more comfortable,” she says. “I thought that that was really sweet of them to take a chance on me and let me open up for them. It was like a dream come true for me and my parents, so anytime I’m asked to do anything for Brooks and Dunn, I’m there.”

After growing up on Brooks & Dunn’s music, Cody Johnson first met them when he performed “Red Dirt Road” with the duo on 2019’s Reboot collection, which reimagined some of the pair’s greatest hits with other artists. The first line of the song, “I was raised off of Rural Route 3,” always resonated with Johnson because he actually was raised off a Rural Route 3 in Texas, just as Dunn was in Arkansas. “We just hit it off. I think that they figured out that they were my heroes, but also, I didn’t treat them any different,” he said. “And even though I was a young aspiring artist, they didn’t treat me any different either.” Johnson performed “Red Dirt Road” to open the gala’s entertainment portion and will perform the song with the duo on the ACM Awards on Thursday.

Lainey Wilson electrified the crowd with a soaring version of “My Maria,” and called the duo on stage with her to sing the last half of the song. “I was not expecting you to get up here with me,” Wilson said with a laugh after they finished the song to great applause.

“They truly are the soundtrack of my childhood,” she said backstage.  “We used to steal my daddy’s hunting spotlight, and we’d turn all the lights out in the house, and my sister would follow me around the living room with [my singing into] a hairbrush. ‘My Maria’ was one of the ones that I would belt out. It is pretty wild to think that I actually really know them now.” As Dunn once again proved as he hit “My Maria’s” sky-high notes, “he is one of the best singers on the face of the earth,” Wilson said. “It’s like how is this even coming out of [his mouth?]”

Also performing in honor of the duo were Zach Top, who played “My Next Broken Heart” and Eric Church, who sang “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.”

The evening closed with a singalong on “Play Something Country” with Brooks & Dunn, Church, Wilson, Urban, Top and Moroney.

Brooks & Dunn, who released Reboot 2 in 2024, are inching toward recording an album of new material, which would be their first since 2007’s Cowboy Town.  “We’re kicking along,” Brooks says. “We’re working on it, we’re pushing that row,” Dunn says, adding that their new label chiefs at Sony Nashville—chairman/CEO Hilary Lindsey and president/COO Ken Robold—are also encouraging them to progress.  “We’ve got a label that we had a really great meeting with. They can’t make us make a record, but they would love to see us do it,” Brooks says. “They don’t want to put out a record that’s not a great record.”

The pair also acknowledge they are among the top tier league of acts who have been so successful that they are competing with their own legacy.

“He’s not a country artist, but I love quoting Billy Joel,” Brooks says, “He said ‘I haven’t made a new record in [32] years and it’s working quite well.’”

But they admit there’s the nagging feeling that they have more left to say.  “I still think we have the juice to be able to sell a new one,” Dunn says. “I just want to put one more through the goal posts.”

Who will be the big winner at Thursday night’s (May 8) 60th annual ACM Awards in Frisco, Texas?
Ella Langley leads the pack this year with eight nominations, and she’s already picked up two wins prior to the ceremony, earning new female artist of the year and visual media of the year (for the music video clip for “You Look Like You Love Me,” her hit collab with Riley Green).

Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson follow with seven nominations apiece, while Chris Stapleton earned six. Green and Post Malone earned five nominations each.

Kelsea Ballerini, who has four total nominations, aims to earn her first entertainer of the year win. Elsewhere, Rascal Flatts returns to the group of the year category, after last being nominated in 2017. Meanwhile, Muscadine Bloodline picked up their first nomination in the duo of the year category, while Flatland Cavalry and The Red Clay Strays both vie for the group of the year honor.

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Zach Top and The Red Clay Strays are two other early winners, with Top earning new male artist of the year, and The Red Clay Strays picking up the new duo/group of the year accolade.

Reba McEntire will host the ACM Awards for an 18th time, with the show streaming live on Prime Video from the Ford Center at The Star. The ACM Awards will stream beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The eligibility period for the 60th ACM Awards was Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024. 

Below, Billboard offers picks on who will likely take home this year’s trophies in key categories:

Entertainer of the year

    Kelsea Ballerini

    Luke Combs

    Cody Johnson

    Jelly Roll

    Chris Stapleton

    Morgan Wallen

    Lainey Wilson

Wilson is the reigning ACM EOY winner and looks to defend her crown this year, while every artist nominated in this category has had a stellar year marked by No. 1 hits, sold-out tours (either domestically or internationally), and/or numerous media looks. Alongside Wilson, Combs, Ballerini and Johnson all released new albums, with Ballerini celebrating her first project to debut atop Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart. Over the past year, Jelly Roll not only spearheaded a sold-out arena tour, but also earned his first all-genre Billboard 200 chart-topping album (Beautifully Broken), while releasing hits including “Liar” and “I Am Not Okay,” and continuing to charm fans and fellow artists alike with his charismatic personality. And Stapleton continued on his headlining All-American Roadshow tour and earned a top 15 Country Airplay hit with “Think I’m in Love With You.”

Meanwhile, Wallen wrapped his massive One Night at a Time Tour — a stadium-headlining trek that drew audiences both domestically and internationally — in 2024, as he continued to send hits (“Love Somebody,” Post Malone collab “I Had Some Help”) to the Hot 100’s pinnacle. All of those achievements could be enough to push Wallen into the winner’s circle.

Winner Prediction: Morgan Wallen

Female artist of the year

Kelsea Ballerini

Ella Langley

Megan Moroney

Kacey Musgraves

Lainey Wilson

Wilson looks to extend her current two-year reign as the winner in this field, while Musgraves could earn her second W in the category (she previously won in 2019). Ballerini, Langley and Moroney are each hoping to earn their first win in the category, as each has seen her career soar to new heights this year. With a headlining arena tour and a debut atop the Top Country Albums chart this year with Patterns, it is likely Ballerini could notch a win in this category.

Winner Prediction: Kelsea Ballerini

Male artist of the year

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Jelly Roll

Chris Stapleton

Morgan Wallen

Stapleton is a four-time winner in this category, while his fellow stadium headliners Wallen and Combs are each looking to earn a second win (Wallen previously won in 2023, while Combs won in 2020). Johnson and Jelly Roll each could pick up their first wins in the category. While Jelly Roll’s reputation as a multi-faceted star continues to surge, and Johnson continues earning top hits with neo-traditional songs such as “Dirt Cheap,” Stapleton is a long-time favorite in the category and could emerge triumphant again this year.

Winner Prediction: Chris Stapleton

Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn

Brothers Osborne 

Dan + Shay 

Muscadine Bloodline

The War and Treaty

Brooks & Dunn have been on a roll this year thanks to their headlining Neon Moon Tour, and their 2024 project Reboot II, which teamed the duo with fellow country hitmakers like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll. Brothers Osborne released the EP Break Mine, The War and Treaty issued the Plus One project and reigning category winners Dan+Shay released their first Christmas album over the past year. Meanwhile, indie duo Muscadine Bloodline earns its first ACM nomination. Still, it will be hard to beat out Brooks & Dunn, who are vying for a record-extending 17th win in the category.

Winner Prediction: Brooks & Dunn

Group of the Year

Flatland Cavalry

Little Big Town 

Old Dominion 

Rascal Flatts

The Red Clay Strays

Rascal Flatts came roaring back into the spotlight this year, reuniting for a headlining tour and announcing its collaborations album, which finds the group teaming with artists including Kelly Clarkson and The Backstreet Boys. Little Big Town celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and also issued a Christmas album last year and teamed with Sugarland for a co-headlining tour. Reigning category winners Old Dominion also embarked upon its How Good Is That World Tour. Meanwhile, Flatland Cavalry picks up its second nomination in the category, and “Wondering Why” hitmakers The Red Clay Strays earn its first. Despite the newer blood in the field, look for Rascal Flatts to potentially return to the winners circle.

Winner prediction: Rascal Flatts

Album of the Year

(Awarded to artist(s)/producer(s)/record company–label(s))

Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) – Megan Moroney; producer: Kristian Bush; Columbia Records / Sony Music Nashville

Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll; producers: BazeXX, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Devin Dawson, Charlie Handsome, Ben Johnson, mgk, The Monsters & Strangerz, Austin Nivarel, SlimXX, Ryan Tedder, Isaiah Tejada, Alysa Vanderheym; BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Republic Records

Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top; producer: Carson Chamberlain; Leo33

F-1 Trillion – Post Malone; producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mercury Records / Republic Records

Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson; producer: Jay Joyce; BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville

Each of the albums nominated for album of the year embodies the artistic vision of the artist and fellow creatives who crafted them, each with their own unique sound. “Emo cowgirl” Moroney continued issuing signature songs such as “Am I Okay?” and “No Caller ID,” while Zach Top played a key role in bringing ’80s and ’90s-inspired country music back into vogue with his debut album. Post Malone teamed with numerous fellow country artists for his debut country set F-1 Trillion, earning a Billboard 200 No. 1 debut with the project. Jelly Roll scored his own Billboard 200 chart-topper with his latest album, Beautifully Broken, spearheaded by songs including “I Am Not Okay” and “Liar,” while Wilson kept her Whirlwind career swirling with her Jay Joyce-produced album, which featured “Hang Tight Honey” and “4x4xU.”

Still, Jelly Roll’s project has further spurred his reputation as a genre-fluid hitmaker who has proven an inspiration for scores of fans — and likely makes him the favorite in this category.

Winner Prediction: Beautifully Broken

Single of the Year

(Awarded to artist(s)/producer(s)/record company–label(s))

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey; producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry; American Dogwood / EMPIRE

“Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson; producer: Trent Willmon; CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville

“I Had Some Help” – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen; producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mercury Records / Republic Records

“White Horse” – Chris Stapleton; producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mercury Nashville

“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley, Riley Green; producer: Will Bundy; SAWGOD / Columbia Records

This category has tender ballads and chart-dominating hits, as well as enduring collabs. Johnson released one of the most endearing songs of the year with “Dirt Cheap,” while Stapleton offered a potent reminder of his country-rock bona fides with “White Horse.” Meanwhile, Langley and Green gave their careers a mighty boost with their flirty collab “You Look Like You Love Me.” Wallen and Post Malone combined their star power for a four-week Country Airplay chart-topper, which became a ubiquitous 2024 summer anthem. Meanwhile, Shaboozey’s runaway smash became a record-tying 19-week Billboard Hot 100-topper, while also spending 43 weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart and seven weeks atop Country Airplay.

Winner prediction: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”

Song of the Year

(Awarded to songwriter(s)/publisher(s)/artist(s))

“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson; songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson; publishers: Louisiana Lady; One Tooth Productions; Reservoir 416; Songs of One Riot Music; Sony/ATV Accent

“The Architect” – Kacey Musgraves; songwriters: Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne; publishers: Songs for Indy and Owl; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing

“Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson; songwriter: Josh Phillips; publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing; Write or Die Music; Write the Lightning Publishing

“I Had Some Help” – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen; songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters, Ryan Vojtesak; publishers: Bell Ear Publishing; Master of my Domain Music; Poppy’s Picks; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing; Universal Music Corporation

“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley, Riley Green; songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere; publishers: Back 40 Publishing International; Langley Publishing; One Tooth Productions; Sony/ATV Tree; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp

The song of the year category has a mix of hit collabs and heart-tugging, introspective ballads. This category tends to honor songcraft over hit status. Johnson’s Leather album picked up album of the year at November’s CMA Awards, so look for the album’s “Dirt Cheap” to likely pick up a song of the year win.

Winner prediction: “Dirt Cheap”