Winners of special awards will be presented on Aug 24th
The Academy of Country Music has announced that the 15th ACM Honors will be held Wednesday, August 24th at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The event is an evening of live music and tributes celebrating recipients of the Academy of Country Music’s Special Awards, Songwriter of the Year Award, Studio Recording Awards, and Industry Awards from the 57th ACM Awards cycle. The event, frequently described as “the Country Music industry’s favorite night,” will return to Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for the 12th year.
Additional details including this year’s winners, host, performers, and general event information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Each year, the Academy recognizes Special Award winners voted on by the Academy’s Board of Directors for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the country music industry and ACM Lifting Lives.
In addition to the Special Awards honorees, the 15th Annual ACM Honors will acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of this year’s Songwriter of the Year, Hardy. This award is presented to an individual who stood out as the top wordsmith of the past year, helping to create the stories that artists share with their fans through song. The award is selected by a special Professional Panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization representatives. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Rhett Akins, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, and Lori McKenna.
The Academy’s Studio Recording Awards recognize the creators behind the music, with categories including Bass Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year, Piano/Keys Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year, Electric Guitar Player of the Year, Audio Engineer of the Year, and Producer of the Year. The eligibility of each artist, musician, producer, and engineer recognized in their respective category is determined by a professional panel of judges chosen by the ACM Officers, with each honoree having achieved a Top 20 or better on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Billboard’s Top Country Albums or Mediabase country charts during the current eligibility period. Notable winners in the Studio Recording Awards categories in the past 15 years include busbee, Dann Huff, Jay Joyce, Jimmie Lee Sloas, and Ilya Toshinskiy, among others.
ACM Industry Awards recognize venues and talent buyers/promoters who have bought or promoted a set number of country concerts (number varies based on category), is in good standing with all agents/vendors, and helps promote country music ticket sales. The various categories honored include Casino of the Year – Theater, Casino of the Year – Arena, Fair/Rodeo of the Year, Festival of the Year, Club of the Year, Theater of the Year, Outdoor Venue of the Year, Arena of the Year, Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year, and Promoter of the Year. Notable winners in the Industry Awards categories in the past 15 years include Billy Bob’s Texas, Brian O’Connell, Ed Warm, Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and The Beacon Theatre.
