ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM)® HOSTS 19TH ACM HONORS, PRESENTED BY TENNPOP

Aug 20, 2026

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM)® HOSTS 19TH ACM HONORS, PRESENTED BY TENNPOP

HONOREES INCLUDE DOLLY PARTON, KACEY MUSGRAVES, ERIC CHURCH, BRETT JAMES, THE CARTER FAMILY, C2C: COUNTRY TO COUNTRY, PARAMOUNT + HIT TELEVISION SERIES: “LANDMAN”, LESLIE FRAM, BILL ANDERSON, MIKE CURB, AND SCOTT ZOLKE

Ella Langley and Jessie Jo Dillon Celebrated as ACM Artist-Songwriter and Songwriter of the Year, Alongside 61st ACM Awards Studio Recording and Industry Award Winners

Hosted by Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum, the 19th ACM Honors featured performances from Avery Anna, Big Kenny, Carter Faith, Dierks Bentley, Dylan Scott, Flatland Cavalry and Mark Collie, Gabriella Rose, Gavin Adcock, Kaitlin Butts, Logan Ledger and Margo Price, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Sheryl Crow, Trisha Yearwood, and Zach John King

Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE; Dolly Parton Acceptance Video HERE

Video Credit: Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Photo Credit: Getty Images Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

NASHVILLE, TN — August 20, 2026 — The Academy of Country Music® celebrated the honorees of the 19th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC® Honors™, presented by TennPop, Seltzer of the South, last night at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted by four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce, returning for her sixth year as host, alongside three-time ACM Award winner Parker McCollum, the evening celebrated an extraordinary group of Country Music artists, songwriters, industry leaders, and advocates whose contributions have helped shape and advance the genre.

The evening’s special honorees included Bill Anderson, Brett James, C2C: Country to Country, The Carter Family, Dolly Parton, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Paramount+ hit television series “Landman,” Leslie Fram, Mike Curb, and Scott Zolke. The ceremony also celebrated previously announced ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year Ella Langley, ACM Songwriter of the Year Jessie Jo Dillon, as well as the ACM Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners from the 61st ACM Awards cycle.

The celebration additionally featured performances and appearances from an all-star lineup of Country Music artists, including Avery Anna, Big Kenny, Carter Faith, Dierks Bentley, Dylan Scott, Flatland Cavalry, Gabriella Rose, Gavin Adcock, Kaitlin Butts, Logan Ledger, Mark Collie, Margo Price, Megan Moroney, Sheryl Crow, Trisha Yearwood, and Zach John King and included a special tribute performance to Dolly Parton from hosts Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum. Country Music legend Brenda Lee appeared as a special guest, while King hosted the presentation of the ACM Studio Recording and Industry Awards.

Special Award Honoree Highlights:

Dolly Parton was honored with the ACM Poet’s Award, recognizing her extraordinary, decades-long impact as one of Country Music’s most gifted and influential songwriters. A 13-time ACM Award recipient and three-time ACM Awards host, Parton has created some of the most enduring songs in Country Music history, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton accepted the honor via a special video message, sharing, “Dolly here! And I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honoring me with the Poet’s Award. You know, I’ve been able to do many things throughout my life, but at my core, songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively. Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well they all started with a song.” Parton continued, “Songwriting has been my therapy; songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music. So thank you God, and thank you fans around the world and everyone at ACM for giving me this very special award.”
Brett James and The Carter Family were also honored posthumously with the ACM Poet’s Award, recognizing their enduring contributions to Country Music songwriting and storytelling.
- James’ prolific songwriting and producing career included smash hits recorded by Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, and many others. Among his career highlights is co-writing Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which earned the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Song, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
- The Carter Family, known as the “First Family of Country Music,” was celebrated for pioneering the sound that became the foundation of modern Country Music. A.P. Carter, Sara Carter, and Maybelle Carter were discovered at the historic 1927 Bristol Sessions and went on to record enduring songs including “Keep on the Sunny Side” and “Wildwood Flower.” The Carter Family was the first group to record commercially produced Country Music and the first group to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
C2C: Country to Country was honored with the ACM International Award, inspired by Jim Reeves, recognizing outstanding efforts to expand Country Music’s influence worldwide. Widely recognized as Europe’s biggest Country Music festival, C2C has connected leading Country artists with audiences across London, Glasgow, Manchester, Berlin, and Rotterdam, as well as previous editions in Belfast and Dublin. C2C has shown an invaluable commitment to Europe’s Country Music fans, further cementing the genre as a global force.
Paramount+ hit television series “Landman” was honored with the ACM Film Award, an honor inspired by Tex Ritter, recognizing a television series, television movie or feature film that prominently showcases Country Music. Created by Taylor Sheridan and starring Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Sam Elliott, Jacob Lofland, and Demi Moore, “Landman” features a soundtrack and official playlist highlighting Country and Americana artists including George Strait, Tyler Childers, Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Flatland Cavalry, Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Luke Grimes, and Zach Bryan.
Bill Anderson and Mike Curb each received the ACM Icon Award, inspired by Cliffie Stone, which recognizes multifaceted contributions to the Country Music genre and community.
- Anderson, known as “Whisperin’ Bill,” has enjoyed an extraordinary career as a songwriter, recording artist, author, television and radio personality, and longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry, with songwriting credits including “City Lights,” “Give It Away,” “Whiskey Lullaby,” and “A Lot of Things Different,” and was the first recipient of the prestigious ACM Poet’s Award in 2008. Anderson shared, “There's an old gospel song called, ‘I Wouldn't Take Nothin' For My Journey Now,’ and that's pretty much how I'm feeling standing here tonight. I wouldn't take anything for these 65-plus years, journeying through the world of country music among you and alongside you. You've been awfully good to me, and I'll never be able to tell you how much I appreciate it. And this is the cherry on top of the sundae. Thank you again and God bless.” while onstage.
- Curb was recognized for his decades-long contributions as a producer, songwriter, record executive, philanthropist, and public servant. As founder and owner of Curb Records, Curb has worked with artists including Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Lyle Lovett, Wynonna Judd, Rodney Atkins, Lee Brice, among many others. His work has extended across music, film, television, public service, including serving as Lieutenant Governor of California, and philanthropic initiatives through the Mike Curb Foundation.
Kacey Musgraves received the ACM Spirit Award, an honor inspired by 20-time ACM Award recipient Merle Haggard and presented to an honoree who exemplifies Haggard’s dedication to Country Music and passion for storytelling through music and performance. The seven-time ACM Award winner and eight-time GRAMMY Award recipient has built a career defined by fearless songwriting, artistic individuality and an ability to bring traditional Country together with diverse musical influences.
Scott Zolke received the ACM Service Award, inspired by Mae Boren Axton, recognizing a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader who has served the Academy of Country Music. A respected entertainment attorney and partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP, Zolke has represented a wide range of television, media, radio, sports, and music clients, including the Academy. His guidance was instrumental in ACM’s multi-year renewal agreement with Amazon Prime Video, continuing the ACM Awards’ exclusive global livestream partnership with the platform.
Eric Church was honored with the ACM Lifting Lives Award. The award, inspired by the contributions of business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber, recognizes a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional devoted to improving lives through the power of music and committed to serving others. Church was honored for his extensive philanthropic work, including his efforts following Hurricane Helene, his work through Chief Cares and his continued commitment to helping communities rebuild. His Helene relief efforts included co-organizing the Concert for Carolina with Luke Combs, donating royalties from “Darkest Hour” and supporting long-term rebuilding efforts in North Carolina. In his acceptance speech Church said, “I believe that God made music the universal language…It is because of music that this [the work of Chief Cares] happened, it’s changing people’s lives, it’s changing their kid’s lives.”
Leslie Fram was honored with the ACM Lift Every Voice Award, recognizing an artist, duo/group, industry leader, or affiliate/partner who plays a pivotal role in elevating underrepresented voices throughout the Country Music genre, transcending demographics and geography. Throughout her career at CMT, Fram has championed emerging talent and created platforms designed to expand opportunities for women and diverse artists. She has been a leading advocate for greater representation and opportunity across the industry.
Ella Langley was celebrated as the ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year, following a landmark 61st ACM Awards cycle in which she led all artists with seven wins. Langley wasn’t in attendance, but powerhouse female trio, Avery Anna, Kaitlin Butts, and Gabriella Rose shared Langley’s words on her behalf, saying, “Thank you so much to the ACM team for this incredible honor. Being recognized as both an artist and a songwriter means so much to me. Songwriting has always been at the heart of who I am, and getting to take those songs from the writing room to the stage every night is something I’ll never take for granted. I’m thankful for all of my co-writers who have shared their stories and talents with me, for my family and my team who have supported me through each year, and above all, to God for continuing to guide my steps and lead me down this path.”
Jessie Jo Dillon was honored as ACM Songwriter of the Year for the third consecutive time, continuing her remarkable run as one of Nashville’s most acclaimed songwriters.

Evening Highlights:

Hosts Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum kicked off the evening with a special tribute performance to ACM Poet’s Award recipient Dolly Parton. The duo covered Parton’s beloved hits including the Kenny Rogers duet “Islands in the Stream,” and then Pearce, Kaitlin Butts, and Carter Faith performed “9 to 5.” Later in the evening, Pearce performed “Whiskey Lullaby” while McCollum additionally sang "Solid Country Gold" in honor of C2C: Country to Country.
Dylan Scott then took the stage for a mashup of Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take The Girl,” with his own hit “My Girl” before presenting Mike Curb with the ACM Icon Award.
Three-time ACM Award recipient Trisha Yearwood continued the entertainment, singing “Every Girl In This Town.” Yearwood then honored Leslie Fram with the ACM Lift Every Voice Award. When presenting her the award, Yearwood said, “I texted Leslie and asked her what song she wanted me to sing, and she chose “Every Girl in This Town”, written by Connie Harrington, Erik Dylan, and Caitlyn Smith. This is the perfect theme song for Leslie, because she’s always been a champion for women. It’s her passion, it’s her legacy. I deeply admire the path she has carved in country music. It’s why I’m proud to call her my friend, and it’s why she is so deserving of all good things.”
ACM Award nominee Gavin Adcock performed his song "Winner at Losing" and Mark Collie and Flatland Cavalry performed "Midland After Midnight" in honor of Landman.
Margo Price and Logan Ledger together performed “Coal Miner's Blues/Ring of Fire" in honor of The Carter Family. Prior to the Carter Family coming onstage to accept the award, Brenda Lee made an appearance and encouraged the crowd in a sing along of her beloved classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” before the Carter Family joined her in singing “Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By),” a Carter Family song.
ACM Award recipient Sheryl Crow celebrated Eric Church by performing his fan-favorite hit "Drink in My Hand.” Before presenting Church with his award Crow shared, “I’ve known Eric for years, and one of the things I’ve always admired about him is the way he goes about life. He’s incredibly humble, he lets his music speak for itself, and he’s always been someone who gives back without looking for recognition in return. He’s a truly remarkable human being, and I’m so proud to call him a friend.”
ACM Award nominee Carter Faith gave a riveting tribute to Kacey Musgraves, performing the breakthrough hit “Merry Go ’Round.”
Big Kenny delivered an exuberant rendition of “I Fought the Law” as a perfect introduction to his presenting renowned entertainment attorney Scott Zolke with the ACM Service Award.
Country music icon and ACM Award recipient Dierks Bentley delivered a powerhouse performance of “I Hold On” in tribute to his longtime friend Brett James before presenting James’ sons with the ACM Poet’s Award. Before singing Bentley spoke about the writing process with James and how he cherished their time writing together but their friendship even more saying, “His friendship was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received.”
Reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year recipient Avery Anna, Kaitlin Butts, and Gabriella Rose teamed up for a showstopping medley of Ella Langley’s smash hits “weren’t for the wind,” “Choosin’ Texas,” and “Be Her” as an introduction to her ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year honor.
ACM Award recipient Megan Moroney gave an exhilarating performance of “Beautiful Things” before presenting Jessie Jo Dillon with the ACM Songwriter of the Year honor. “Jessie Jo’s touch and heart is all over my discography and I feel so lucky to have her in my orbit. I know anyone that knows her feels the same. I’m so proud of not only the songwriter she is but more importantly the friend and person she is.”
Zach John King rounded out the evening, closing with a performance of “Get To Drinkin’.”

The 19th ACM Honors was presented by TennPop, Seltzer of the South, a Tennessee-born, ready-to-drink spirit-based seltzer crafted with Tennessee vodka, local honey and sparkling water. TennPop celebrates the people, places and culture that define the South.

For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events, visit www.ACMcountry.com. You can like the Academy of Country Music on  Facebook  or follow on X at @ACMawards and Instagram @ACMawards for more immediate updates.