Stars Of Country Music Gather For The 60th Annual ACM Awards

For 60 years, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) has honored the best and brightest in country music with its annual awards ceremony. Tonight, May 8th, Reba McEntire hosted the milestone 60th anniversary show at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. A 16-time ACM Award winner herself, Reba has hosted the show more times than any other artist.

 

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Excitement for the show had been building for the last few weeks as performances, collaborations, and early award wins were announced.  The early winners were:

• Zach Top – New Male Artist of the Year
• Ella Langley – New Female Artist of the Year
• The Red Clay Strays – New Group/Duo of the Year
• “you look like you love me” – Visual Media of the Year
• Lainey Wilson – Artist/Songwriter of the Year
• Jessie Jo Dillon – Songwriter of the Year

ACM Awards Kick-Off The Show With A 12-Minute Opener

The 2025 ACM Awards started with a bang. Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, and Dan + Shay joined forces for an extended opening number, celebrating six decades of country music. Sugarland had previously been announced as part of the lineup. However, Jennifer Nettles was unable to perform due to illness, and they were replaced by Little Big Town.

 

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First up was Reba, who celebrated the 1960s with a cover of “Okie From Muskogee” by Merle Haggard.

A timeless song. Queen @reba on the mic. ✨

Don’t miss a moment. Stream the #ACMawards LIVE now → https://t.co/H8DgKcESzm pic.twitter.com/3HGEoRN64F

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) May 9, 2025

Next up, Clint Black got the crowd singing along with a rendition of Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” from 1975.

.@Clint_Black you shine so bright, Rhinestone Cowboy! 💎

Watch the #ACMawards LIVE rn → https://t.co/H8DgKcESzm pic.twitter.com/SnVaAyDhku

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) May 9, 2025

LeAnn Rimes returned to the ACM stage for the first time in many years with a chilling performance of her 1997 hit “Blue” accompanied by a string quartet.

.@leannrimes singing “Blue” on the #ACMawards stage? Say less 💙#ACM60 is LIVE right now! Tune in → https://t.co/H8DgKcESzm pic.twitter.com/ejr2B7b8R7

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) May 9, 2025

Little Big Town commemorated songs of the new millennium with their 2014 hit “Girl Crush.” Finally, Dan + Shay closed out the opening medley with their song “Tequila,” released in 2018. Shay Mooney brought the house down with a final note that showed off his stellar vocal range.