How to watch the 2025 ACM awards, what to expect, and who’s already won!
Alright y’all, buckle up—tonight’s the big one. The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards are hittin’ your screens live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, and let me tell you, this ain’t just another awards show. It’s a full-blown country music extravaganza, and who better to helm this honky-tonk hoedown than the queen herself, Reba McEntire?
That’s right, Reba’s back for her 18th time hosting the ACMs, and she’s ready to bring the house down.
What’s the Big Deal?
Well, for starters, it’s the 60th anniversary of the ACM Awards—a milestone that calls for a celebration as grand as a Texas sunset. And with Reba at the helm, you know it’s gonna be a night to remember.
How to Watch
No need to dust off that old cable box. The show streams live tonight at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT on Prime Video and Amazon Music’s Twitch channel. So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and get ready for a night of unforgettable performances.
Star-Studded Performances
The lineup is hotter than a jalapeño in July. We’re talkin’ performances from country legends and rising stars alike. Expect to see:
- Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland kickin’ things off with a 12-minute medley of ACM Song of the Year winners from the past six decades.
- Brooks & Dunn and Cody Johnson teaming up for a powerhouse duet.
- Rascal Flatts and the Backstreet Boys—yes, you read that right—joining forces for a performance that’s sure to get everyone on their feet.
- Jelly Roll and Shaboozey bringing their unique styles to the stage.
- Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney, and Brothers Osborne paying tribute to the one and only Keith Urban, who’s being honored with the ACM Triple Crown Award.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Other performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Eric Church, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, and Lainey Wilson.
The Nominees
Leading the pack is newcomer Ella Langley with eight nominations, thanks in part to her hit “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green. Not far behind are Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson, each with seven nods.
The following is the full list of nominees for the ACM Main Awards, Studio Recording Awards, and Industry Awards categories:
MAIN AWARDS:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- The War And Treaty
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Flatland Cavalry
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kassi Ashton
- Ashley Cooke
- Dasha
- Ella Langley
- Jessie Murph
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Gavin Adcock
- Shaboozey
- Zach Top
- Tucker Wetmore
- Bailey Zimmerman
NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Restless Road
- The Red Clay Strays
- Treaty Oak Revival
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
Record Company-Label: 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
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Republic Records
- Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records
- Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry
Record Company-Label: American Dogwood / EMPIRE
- Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville
- I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records
- White Horse – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton
Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville
- you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
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
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- Cowboys Cry Too – Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan, Alysa Vanderheym
Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment
- I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records
- I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood
Producer: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville
- we don’t fight anymore – Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records
- you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- 4x4xU – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jennifer Ansell
Director: Dano Cerny
- Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson
Producer: Dustin Haney
Director: Dustin Haney
- I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood
Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
- Think I’m In Love With You – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Wes Edwards, Angie Lorenz, Jamie Stratakis
Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone)
- you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green
Producer: Alex Pescosta
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- ERNEST
- HARDY
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Jessi Alexander
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Chase McGill
- Josh Osborne
Notable Snubs
In a surprising twist, Beyoncé received no nominations, despite her Grammy-winning country album “Cowboy Carter.” Fans and critics alike are scratching their heads over this one.
Final Thoughts
With Reba at the helm, a lineup that reads like a who’s who of country music, and a few surprises along the way, the 60th ACM Awards are set to be a night to remember. So tune in, sing along, and let’s celebrate the best in country music together.