Key Takeaways
- ACM Awards 2023 showcased a mix of established country music stars and rising talents, presenting a glimpse of the genre's potential future direction.
- Chris Stapleton won the coveted entertainer of the year award, marking a significant milestone in his career.
- Lainey Wilson emerged as a standout artist, winning multiple awards and delivering an inspiring acceptance speech that emphasized hard work and dedication.
- Collaborations between artists like Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark, Pillbox Patti, John Osborne, Ed Sheeran, and Luke Combs added memorable musical moments to the event.
- The War and Treaty, Bailey Zimmerman, Hardy, and Jelly Roll represented the infusion of fresh perspectives and diverse influences in the country music scene.
- Dolly Parton's performance and her powerful anthem, along with tributes to Willie Nelson and heartfelt performances by Miranda Lambert, created nostalgic and impactful moments during the awards show.
- The ACM Awards highlighted the genre's ability to innovate and evolve while maintaining its core values of storytelling and authenticity.
This year’s Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards ceremony, held at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, was a grand celebration of country music’s finest talents.
The event, streamed live on Amazon Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, was hosted by country music legends Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton.
The ACM Awards 2023 witnessed an array of stunning performances and collaborations. The collaboration between Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark, Pillbox Patti, and John Osborne for the powerful anthem “Bonfire at Tina’s” was a major highlight.
Another standout performance came from Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll, who performed Jelly Roll’s “Save Me,” followed by Wilson’s solo rendition of “Grease.”
Honoring the Best in the Business
The awards night saw Chris Stapleton securing the coveted entertainer of the year award, his first in the ACM Awards.
Stapleton, who has a rich history in country music as a songwriter, artist, and vocalist, expressed his surprise and gratitude during his acceptance speech.
The evening also acknowledged the rising talents in the genre, with Lainey Wilson, HARDY, and Cole Swindell bagging multiple honors.
Wilson’s victories included album and female artist of the year, while Swindell was recognized with song and single of the year for “She Had Me at Heads Carolina.”
HARDY took home honors for artist-writer of the year and music event of the year for his work on “wait in the truck” with Wilson.
Dolly Parton and the Powerful Anthem
Dolly Parton delivered a rhythmic performance of her new single, “World on Fire,” from her upcoming album Rockstar.
The song’s powerful lyrics resonated with the audience and reminded them of Parton’s influence not just as a singer, but also as a songwriter and a media personality.
The ACM Awards 2023 witnessed an array of stunning performances and collaborations. The collaboration between Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark, Pillbox Patti, and John Osborne for the powerful anthem “Bonfire at Tina’s” was a major highlight.
Lainey Wilson Shines Bright
Lainey Wilson, who won four awards, including female artist of the year, gave an inspiring speech during her acceptance.
Wilson took the opportunity to acknowledge her fellow nominees, recognizing their hard work and dedication.
She also extended her inspiring message to the younger generation of country music fans, encouraging them to work hard for their dreams.
Heartfelt Tributes and Unexpected Collaborations
The night also witnessed a unique collaboration between Ed Sheeran and Luke Combs, who gave a soulful performance of Sheeran’s “Life Goes On.”
Their partnership was lauded as one of the most powerful musical moments of the evening.
The War and Treaty, a husband-and-wife duo, showcased their vocal talents with their performance of “Blank Page.”
Their powerful harmonies earned them a standing ovation from the audience.
The evening also included a tribute to country music icon Willie Nelson by Texas musician Cody Johnson.
Johnson performed a rendition of the classic “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” to celebrate Nelson’s recent 90th birthday and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Miranda Lambert offered an elegant and nostalgic performance of “Carousel” from her 2022 album Palomino.
Lambert’s performance, in front of an actual carousel, added a touch of whimsy to the evening.
A Night of Old and New
While the ACM Awards 2023 felt familiar with some repeat performances and appearances, it also had its share of fresh faces and new talents.
Artists like Lainey Wilson, The War and Treaty, Bailey Zimmerman, Hardy, and Jelly Roll added a touch of novelty to the proceedings, signaling an expansive future for the country music scene.
Lainey Wilson, known for her unique blend of traditional and modern country, gave a memorable performance, which truly signified her arrival as a force to be reckoned with.
Her heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocals resonated with the audience, marking her as a rising star in the genre.
The War and Treaty, a duo recognized for their soulful and eclectic approach to country music, brought a different flavor to the show.
Their performance was a harmonious blend of country, blues, and rock, reflecting the diversity and evolution of country music.
Bailey Zimmerman, a newcomer with an authentic country sound and compelling storytelling skills, charmed the audience.
Her strong and emotive performance showcased her potential to become a significant figure in the industry.
Hardy, although not completely new to the scene, still managed to bring a fresh perspective.
Known for his songwriting prowess, he demonstrated his ability as a performer with a magnetic stage presence and a knack for audience engagement.
Jelly Roll, an artist with roots in the hip-hop scene, showed that country music has room for diverse influences.
His performance blurred genre lines, combining elements of country, rap, and rock, presenting a new direction that country music could explore.
Overall, these performances provided a breath of fresh air and a glimpse of the potential future direction of country music.
They represented the genre’s ability to innovate and evolve while still maintaining its core values of storytelling and authenticity.
It’ll be exciting to watch these artists and the country music scene as a whole continue to grow and evolve in the years to come.
