ACM Tempo | Summer 2023

MILE AFTER MILE

We know it’s important for you to meet all your commitments, but it’s also crucial you arrive safe and well-rested. Prevost is your tour partner, performing right alongside you, night after night to give YOU the ultimate ride.

Step into a Prevost tour bus and you’re stepping into unsurpassed luxury, comfort and an industry-leader in reliability and safety. Mile after mile, Prevost is here for you.

For more information, contact:

Steve Zeigler Director, Prevost Shell Division

(800) 837-0895

18 | 16TH ACM HONORS

Special Award honorees and more to be celebrated August 23 at Ryman Auditorium

36 | 58TH ACM AWARDS

Recap the winners, performances, and unforgettable moments

72 | CONNECTING

THROUGH MUSIC

ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp unleashes joy in Nashville community

80 | Q+A’S

Get to know reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Hailey Whitters and trailblazing singersongwriter Drew Parker

and Lainey Wilson, the most-awarded artists at the 58th ACM Awards, discuss their remarkable bond and reflect on their career journeys

66

72

80

photographed by Ryan Smith and Hailey Whitters photographed by Allyse Gafkjen. Cover courtesy of Tanner Gallagher

Cover Story

Teamwork Triumphs

I’d be lying if I said that I’m surprised the Academy has once again delivered an unforgettable, iconic, and record-breaking awards show. The 58th ACM Awards® truly brought the party to Texas, with its dynamic hosts, powerful performances, and memorable moments. Read the recap on P. 36.

It’s evident, year after year, that none of it is possible without the power of teamwork — the essence of the Country Music community. The collective effort of dedicated ACM® Officers, Board Members, Staff, and, of course, the slew of talented artists and industry professionals drove this year’s show to success, proving the strength of this unified, devoted community.

Gracing the cover of this issue are an exemplary team themselves, HARDY and Lainey Wilson. As the most-awarded artists of the 58th ACM Awards, the pair each took home four trophies. They sat down with us to delve into their friendship, careers, and wins. Read their story on P. 66.

I’d be remiss not to acknowledge the tremendous amount of hard work invested in planning and executing the numerous successful ACM Awards week events. From the two-day fan-festival ACM Country Kickoff (P. 26) to the much-anticipated return of ACM Lifting Lives® Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On (P. 30), as well as Media Row (P. 51), the commitment behind these events does not go unnoticed.

With the 16th Annual ACM Honors™ right around the corner, we are once again reminded that success is often impossible in isolation. This year’s Special Awards honorees, who will be celebrated alongside the winners of the Studio Recording and Industry Awards, as well as the previously announced ArtistSongwriter of the Year HARDY and Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley, albeit talented, didn’t grow their careers without a little collaboration. Moreover, their support and hard work has been fundamental in growing the careers of some of today’s most accomplished artists. It does take a team. Get to know these outstanding Special Award honorees on P. 18 and see this year’s Studio Recording and Industry Awards winners on P. 9.

Lainey Wilson may have summed it up best: “If you’re gonna be a dreamer, you better be a doer.” So, cheers to all the doers out there who continuously help strengthen the Academy, our Country Music family, and each other.

E ditor

Libby Gardner

A ssistA nt E ditor

Brittany Uhniat

C ontributors

Alison Bonguro, Tricia Despres, Lydia Farthing, Craig Shelburne

d E sign

Randi Karabin, Karabin Creative

P rinting

Graphic Visions Commercial Printing

P hotos

Eder Acevedo, ACM, Amazon, Allyse

Gafkjen, Tanner Gallagher, Getty, Emma Golden, Jeff Johnson, Todd Owyoung, PMC, Harper Smith, Ryan Smith, Jordan Whitfield

ACADEMY STAFF CE o

Damon Whiteside

E x EC utiv E d ir EC tor /ACM L ifting L iv E s

Lyndsay Cruz

vi CE P r E sid E nt/ fin A n CE & o PE r Ations

Alexa Fasheh

vi CE P r E sid E nt/ str At Egi C PA rtn E rshi P s

Jen Heaton

vi CE P r E sid E nt/M A rk E ting

A nd d igitAL str At Egy & E ng Ag EME nt

Rory Levine

vi CE P r E sid E nt/A rtist & i ndustry r ELAtions ,

b oA rd A d M inistr Ation & g ov E rn A n CE

Tommy Moore

d ir EC tor / d E sign & b r A nd C r EAtiv E

Lori Kraft

d ir EC tor / b r A nd M A rk E ting & PA rtn E rshi P s

Steve Mekler

d ir EC tor /C o MM uni CAtions , M E di A r ELAtions & r A dio

Melissa Moldovan

d ir EC tor / fin A n CE & o PE r Ations :

Kris Reyes

d ir EC tor /Ev E nts : Lanni (Gagnon) Niggli

d ir EC tor /A rtist & i ndustry r ELAtions ,

b oA rd A d M inistr Ation & g ov E rn A n CE

Maddy Stessman

s E nior M A n Ag E r /C ont E nt & E ditori AL

Libby Gardner

s E nior M A n Ag E r /P ub L i C ity & M E di A r ELAtions

Jesse Knutson

s E nior M A n Ag E r /A wA rds & M EM b E rshi P

Haley Montgomery

s E nior M A n Ag E r /ACM L ifting L iv E s

Taylor Wolf

M A n Ag E r /Ev E nts

Jennifer Davis

M A n Ag E r / str At Egi C PA rtn E rshi P s

Rebecca Fisher

M A n Ag E r /P rogr AMM ing & C o MM unity E ng Ag EME nt

Kortney Toney

C oordin Ator /Ev E nts

Alexis Bingham

C oordin Ator /C r EAtiv E & C ont E nt

Brittany Uhniat

E x EC utiv E A ssistA nt to th E CE o

Kristan Pridgen

M A n Ag E r /o ffi CE

Michael Stern

Libby Gardner ACM Tempo Editor

i nt E rns

Brooke Boyd – ACM Lifting Lives

Celia Hunter – Artist & Industry Relations

Mimi Perry - Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Ashley Ward - Strategic Partnerships

Dear Members,Academy

I hope you enjoyed Country Music’s Party of the Year® as much as I did! This year’s show — helmed by our two GOATS, Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks — was also a GOAT in and of itself, and will go down in history as one of the most exciting and well-reviewed shows the Academy has ever put on. With viewership on Prime Video up 87% year over year, it was clear that the fans loved it too! You will see in this issue all the fun we had taking over Frisco, Texas, for the week celebrating our artists, members, industry, and fans. Our new show venue, Ford Center at The Star, was the perfect location, and our partners, the Dallas Cowboys and the Jones Family, made us feel very welcome in their amazing home. From the 58th ACM Awards to ACM Songs & Stories to ACM Country Kickoff to ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On, our focus was to connect artists, fans, and the industry and to raise awareness as well as funding for the important work of ACM Lifting Lives. We can’t thank all of our artists and members enough who were able to be in Texas, participate in these events, and support the ACM.

We also just wrapped the 14th Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp which was a successful week of activities across Nashville’s most hallowed music venues, as well as SENSE Theatre® ACM Lifting Lives 2023 Summer Camp, which both truly showcased the healing power of music. Thanks to our partners at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the Vanderbilt University Department of Theatre, and the Opry, and to the artists and songwriters who donated their time to make it special including Lauren Alaina, Ross Copperman, Charles Esten, Girl Named Tom, J.T. Harding, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Tiera Kennedy, , Madeline Merlo, Frank Ray, Restless Road, Taryn Papa, and Tigirlily Gold.

It’s been a busy year at the Academy’s new headquarters in Wedgewood Houston. Several artists have stopped by to perform and answer questions for our ACM Staff as part of our “Live From the ACM Red Barrel Lounge” content series. A major part of the Academy’s mission is supporting artist development, especially the rising stars. Our ability to host these artists in our beautiful office and then share their talent with the world is truly gratifying.

We are also in planning mode for the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors taking place August 23 at the historic Ryman Auditorium with Carly Pearce returning as host for the third year in a row. We are thrilled to recognize the impressive list of deserving winners of the Studio Recording and Industry Awards and honorees of our Special Awards that were selected by our Special Awards Committee. This event has become the industry’s favorite night, and we hope you can join us for this special celebration.

Thank you for your continued membership and engagement with the Academy of Country Music®!

Damon Whiteside Chief Executive Officer

ONRAMP PROGRAM LAUNCHES WITH INAUGURAL CLASS

Last month, the Academy of Country Music, in partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), launched OnRamp, a guaranteed income program for young Black members of the Nashville music community, including artists and industry professionals. This program is focused on improving inclusivity and equity within Music City and aiming to empower the next generation of leaders in the early stages of their careers through professional development, 360-degree mentorship, industry exposure, and more. Half of this year’s inaugural 20-person class are artists; the other half are members of the industry and range from attorneys to audio engineers, publicists to business managers. The inaugural class includes Erica Baker, Jasmine Bavaro, Tylar Bryant, Tatyana Carter, Carmen Dianne, Larysa Jaye, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Chasidy Lauderdale, Cameron Leavy-Thorn, Tae Lewis, Roz Malone, Daisha McBride, Kim Ortiz, Nina Teapot Owens, Qualls, Nick Tabron, Kendall Warner, Dede Neahn West, Julie Williams, and Amari Young.

Celebrating Black Music Month

In honor of Black Music Month this past June, the Academy turned a spotlight on Black artists in the Country Music community across its social platforms, which included a number of Instagram Stories takeovers from different artists each week. Featured artists included Dalton Dover, Willie Jones, Reyna Roberts, and SACHA.

In case you missed it, you can still check out the takeovers in the highlights on the ACM Awards Instagram.

Back row from left to right: Amari Young, Kendall Warner, Qualls, Chasidy Lauderdale, Carmen Dianne, Kim Ortiz and Nick Tabron Middle row from left to right: ACM DEI Task Force Chair Shannon Sanders, Larysa Jaye, Tatyana Carter, Jasmine Bavaro, Erica Baker, The Kentucky Gentlemen’s Brandon Campbell and Derek Campbell, and ACM CEO Damon Whiteside

Front row from left to right: Roz Malone, Dede Neahn West, Tae Lewis, Julie Williams, and ACM Vice-Chair Ebie McFarland of Essential Broadcast Media

AUGUST 23

Ryman Auditorium

GET READY FOR THE 16TH ACM HONORS

In just a few weeks, the 16th ACM Honors, frequently described as the “Country Music Industry’s favorite night,” will take place at the historic Ryman Auditorium on August 23. Carly Pearce will return as host for the third consecutive year for an unforgettable evening of live music and tributes. The Special Award recipients will be fêted alongside the previously announced winners including ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year HARDY and ACM Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley. Additionally, the Studio Recording and Industry Award winners from the 58th ACM Awards will be recognized. These awards will be presented by reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Hailey Whitters. Performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks, and VIP packages and limited tickets remain on AXS.com.

FOR FULL STORY ON THE ACM SPECIAL AWARDS HONOREES SEE P. 20.

STUDIO RECORDING AWARD WINNERS

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Mark Hill

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Aaron Sterling

ACOUSTIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tim Galloway

ELECTRIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Derek Wells

PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dave Cohen

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jenee Fleenor

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

Justin Niebank

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Jay Joyce

INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS

CASINO OF THE YEAR – THEATER

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino — Hollywood, Florida

CASINO OF THE YEAR – ARENA

Harveys Lake Tahoe — Stateline, Nevada

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

Country Thunder — Bristol, Tennessee

FAIR/RODEO OF THE YEAR

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — Houston

CLUB OF THE YEAR

Joe’s on Weed St. — Chicago

THEATER OF THE YEAR

Grand Ole Opry House — Nashville, Tennessee

OUTDOOR VENUE OF THE YEAR

Bank of NH Pavilion — Gilford, New Hampshire

ARENA OF THE YEAR

Moody Center — Austin, Texas

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR

Troy Vollhoffer — Premier Global Production

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

Ed Warm — Joe’s Live

Academy of Country Music Announces Promotions and New Hires Across Several Departments

“

The past year has been a truly historic one for the Academy, with extending the ACM Awards partnership with Amazon and moving the show to the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters in Texas for its second year on Prime Video, bringing ACM Honors back to TV, moving our headquarters to Nashville, opening a worldclass hub in Wedgewood Houston, and achieving record membership numbers for the Academy,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “The promotions announced today reflect the hard work that so many individuals put in to make the Academy stronger than it’s ever been. Now that we’re firmly established in Nashville, we’re excited to continue to grow our team and support our staff to help fuel and further the momentum we built in 2022 and 2023 as we continue to work to further the genre, expand the audience and representation across the industry, and innovate as a leader in the Country Music space.”

KRIS REYES HIRED AS DIRECTOR, FINANCE & OPERATIONS

Kris Reyes joins the Academy as director, Finance & Operations. Reyes has previous experience in operations accounting at TravelCenters of America, where she worked for the past two decades. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Reyes has an education in MicroComputer Applications and Business Management and received her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.

In her role as director, Reyes will focus on process improvements, team building, and policies and procedures, among other responsibilities, across the finance and operations of the Academy. She also will lead the Academy’s human resources efforts at the organization’s new Nashville headquarters. Reporting to Alexa Fasheh, vice president, Finance & Operations, Reyes will work across the Academy team to help implement and identify opportunities.

Kortney Toney

Hired as Manager, Programming & Community Engagement

Kortney Toney joins the Academy as manager, Programming & Community Engagement. Toney has worked in the music industry in Nashville for more than a decade, with focuses in marketing, communications, and the cross-culturalism spaces. Toney previously worked at Opry Entertainment Group, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and Weller Media Agency, among other companies. She serves as a Governor of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter, has been named to the Unmanageable Board of Directors, is the former president of the Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA), volunteers as a MusiCares Ambassador, is an alumna of the GRAMMY NEXT program, serves on the TedX Women’s Steering Committee, is a former CMA DEI committee member, and is an alumna of the inaugural Women’s Leadership Academy. Prior to joining the ACM, Toney served as a member of the inaugural ACM LEVel Up cohort, where she was instrumental in the launch of the OnRamp Program, a partnership between the Academy and the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC). Toney is originally from Huntsville, Alabama, and graduated from Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee, with a bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Music Industry and a minor in Film and Media.

In her role, Toney will support the Academy’s key diversity initiative programs including OnRamp, LEVel Up, and the DEI Task Force, as well as future efforts toward welcoming audiences to Country Music that transcend demographics and geography. Toney will engage the Nashville music community with ACM events and activities and identify pathways into Country Music. Toney reports to Tommy Moore, vice president, Artist & Industry Relations.

Born in Kokomo, Indiana, and raised in both Shelby Township, Michigan, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, Libby Gardner has been promoted to senior manager, Content & Editorial. Gardner joined the Academy full time in 2019 as coordinator, Creative & Content, and was promoted to manager, Content & Editorial, in 2021. Gardner attended Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication, where she received a bachelor's degree in Television, Radio, and Film. During her time at Syracuse, Gardner interned at the Academy with the Creative & Content team and continued working for the Academy as a freelance field producer following her graduation in 2018. Gardner is currently a member of SOLID’s Education Committee, a Music For Seniors Board Member, and the Events co-chair of the Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA).

In her role as senior manager, Gardner oversees the day-to-day management of the Academy’s owned media portfolio, including the Academy's web properties, branded social channels, short-form digital content, photo archives, and email newsletters. She also serves as editor of acclaimed quarterly membership magazine ACM Tempo®, as well as writes and oversees the script for the industry-favorite ACM Honors show. Gardner reports to Rory Levine, vice president, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement.

LIBBY GARDNER PROMOTED TO SENIOR MANAGER, CONTENT & EDITORIAL

Jesse Knutson Promoted to Senior Manager, Publicity & Media Relations

ASeattle native with a background in TV news, where he won multiple Emmy Awards, Jesse Knutson has been promoted to his new role, senior manager, Publicity & Media Relations. Knutson joined the Academy in January 2022 as manager, Publicity & Media Relations, and led the Academy’s publicity efforts for major live event tentpoles, including the innovative 57th and 58th ACM Awards on Prime Video, the first major awards show to livestream exclusively, and the 15th ACM Honors show, as well as Academy and ACM Lifting Lives organizational and programmatic initiatives. Jesse previously served as a TV reporter at Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 (WTVF), Seattle’s KING 5, and Harrisburg, PA’s WHP-TV, and served as a producer at Los Angeles’ KNBC.

In his role as senior manager, Knutson will continue to lead publicity and media relations efforts for the Academy. Those responsibilities include publicity, promotional campaigns and strategies for raising awareness and coverage of the ACM Awards, Academy initiatives, programs and events, and ACM Lifting Lives philanthropic work. Knutson will draft press materials and work closely with the ACM marketing and events teams on logistics of red carpets and liaising with photographers and media, as well as organizational and programmatic priorities for the Academy. Knutson reports to Rory Levine, vice president, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement.

Haley Montgomery has been promoted to senior manager, Awards & Membership. Montgomery joined the Academy in 2020 as manager, Awards & Membership, after holding a variety of roles across the industry including brand partnerships, merchandise, brand development, touring, and industry relations. She is one of the founders of the Family Alliance in Music, which provides community and support to members of the industry who currently have families, serve as caretakers, or plan on building a family in the future.

In her role as senior manager, Montgomery will continue to focus on a wide array of award processes including nomination reviews, category definitions, expert category panels, voting processes and timing, and winner celebrations outside of the main award categories. On the membership side, she will continue to oversee recruitment of new members, programming, benefits, member communications, and marketing, and the development of a more inclusive and international membership base, building on her successful work leading the Academy to historic membership numbers. Montgomery reports to Tommy Moore, vice president, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance.

HALEY MONTGOMERY PROMOTED TO SENIOR MANAGER, AWARDS & MEMBERSHIP

TO SENIOR

ACM LIFTING LIVES

Originally from Brentwood, Tennessee, Taylor Wolf has been promoted to her new role, senior manager, ACM Lifting Lives. Wolf attended Pepperdine University in California where she earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She joined ACM Lifting Lives in February 2019 as coordinator of ACM Lifting Lives after working in the healthcare industry. Wolf was promoted to manager of ACM Lifting Lives in 2020 and is currently serving her fourth term as secretary of the ACM Lifting Lives Board.

In her role as senior manager, Wolf will continue to work in tandem with ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director Lyndsay Cruz and the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors to drive forward the mission of the organization. Wolf’s scope includes programmatic work such as ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, strategic fundraising efforts, and beneficiary, partner, and industry relations. Wolf reports to Lyndsay Cruz.

Alexis Bingham Promoted to Coordinator, Events

Alexis Bingham has been promoted to coordinator, Events, after serving as assistant, Events, since 2021. Originally from Watkins Glen, New York, Bingham graduated from Ithaca College in December 2020, where she studied Communication, Management, and Design. She was hired by the Academy as an Events intern and worked the 56th ACM Awards, 14th ACM Honors, and ACM Party for a Cause® events before joining the staff full time in October 2021.

In her role as coordinator, Bingham will support red carpet planning, credentialing for ACM events, organizing and implementing health and safety protocols, and planning and executing the quarterly Academy Board meetings. She will work closely on budgets, décor, signage, transportation, food and beverage, partnership fulfillment, and talent details. Bingham reports to Lanni Niggli, director, Events.

TAYLOR WOLF PROMOTED

MANAGER,

Album Releases

King Calaway Tennessee Waiting

August 4

Willie Jones Something To Dance To Out Now

Ashley McBryde The Devil I Know

September 8

Alana Springsteen

TWENTY SOMETHING

August 18

Frank Ray Frank Ray Out Now

Morgan Wade Psychopath

August 25

EP Releases

Ryan Griffin Phases Out Now

Dylan Marlowe

Dirt Road When I Die Out Now

Neon Union Double Wide Castle Sessions Out Now Old Dominion Memory Lane Out Now

Michael Ray Dive Bars and Broken Hearts Out Now

Austin Snell Songs From My Phone Out Now

Alana Springsteen TWENTY SOMETHING: Figuring It Out (Blue) Out Now

Track45 Grew Up On Out Now

Single

Releases

Ryan Griffin

TourDates

Darren Kiely

“Mom & Dad” Out Now

Kameron Marlowe

“I Can Lie (The Truth Is)” (feat. Erin Kirby) Out Now

Niko Moon

“BETTER WITH YOU” Out Now

Alana

Colby Acuff

Direct support for Luke Combs’ Bootleggers

Whiskey Jam Tailgate

June 2023

Fairs and festivals

Summer–Fall 2023

Jason Aldean Highway Desperado Tour

July 14–October 28

Avery Anna

Direct Support for Cole Swindell’s Twelve Tour

October 12–November 4

Chayce Beckham

Direct support for Luke Bryan’s Country On Tour

June 15–October 28

Tyler Booth

Direct support Jake Owen

August 3

Tyler Braden

Direct support for Luke Bryan’s Country On Tour

June 15–August 26

BRELAND + Avery Anna

The Extra Mile Tour

August 27–September 13

Kane Brown

Drunk or Dreaming Headline Tour

July–September

Luke Combs Luke Combs World Tour

July–October

Jackson Dean

Direct support for Luke Bryan’s Country On Tour

July 6–30

Morgan Evans

Life Upside Down Tour

September 7–20

Riley Green

Direct support for Luke Combs’s World Tour

April 22–July 29

Corey Kent Headline Tour

April 1–July 9

Direct support for Jason Aldean’s Highway Desperado Tour

July 14–October 28

continued on page 16

King Calaway

Direct support for Zac Brown Band

June 30–November 4

Elle King

Direct support for Tyler Chiders

August 2–3

Direct support for Jelly Roll

August 4–September 30

Dylan Marlowe

Tour

August

Direct support for HARDY

August 31–December 9

Direct support for Jordan Davis

TourDates

Old Dominion No Bad Vibes Tour

June–December

Parmalee Direct support for Train Tour

August 22–26, September 7–12

Thomas Rhett Home Team Tour 23 Cole Swindell and Nate Smith Supporting

May 4–September 29

Chase Rice

Direct support for Jelly Roll’s Backroad Baptism Tour

August 29–September 2, October 12–14

Restless Road

Direct support for Kane Brown

June 17–July 9

Kameron Marlowe

We Were Cowboys Headlining Tour

April–August

Direct support for Jordan Davis

June 23, October 5

Direct support for Dierks Bentley

August 24–26

Justin Moore

The You, Me, and Whiskey Tour

April 20–August 26

Megan Moroney

Lucky Tour

September 20–December 10

Maren Morris

Direct support for The Chicks

June–October

Jameson Rodgers Tour

July–August

Direct support for Billy Currington

July

Direct support for Jordan Davis

September

Jelly Roll Backroad Baptism Tour

July 28–October 14

Direct Support for Eric Church’s The Outsiders Revival Tour

September 8–16

Conner Smith

Direct support for Luke Bryan’s Country On Tour

July 6–October 14

If you are an ACM Member and would like your artists’ upcoming releases and tours featured in the next issue of ACM Tempo , please email brittany@acmcountry.com.

Nate Smith

Direct support for Thomas Rhett’s Home Team 23 Tour

May 4–September 29

Alana Springsteen

Direct support for Luke Bryan’s Country On Tour

June 15–August 4

Cole Swindell

Twelve Tour

October 12–November 4

Mitchell Tenpenny

Direct support for Jason Aldean

July 14–October 28

Tenille Townes

Direct support for Zac Brown Band

October 5–7

Direct support for Shania Twain

November 7–14

Morgan Wade

Direct support for Eric Church

June 30–July 1

Morgan Wallen One Thing At A Time Tour

April 14–October 7

Lainey Wilson

Direct support for Luke Combs’ World Tour

April 15–July 29

Direct support for HARDY’s the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour

August 31–December 9

Brett Young

Five, TOUR, Three, Two, One Tour

April 20–September 9

SPECIAL AWARD HONOREES

“This year’s ACM Special Award honorees have made a tremendous impact on the music we know and love, from icons and veteran executives who have shaped and steered the industry for years, to newer artists making a splash and welcoming fresh audiences into the community, and I am so excited about celebrating them in August at what is always one of the best nights of the year,” said Kerri Edwards, Chair of the ACM Special Awards Committee. “I’d like to thank our committee members for their invaluable participation and contributions in selecting this year’s exceptionally worthy class of honorees and offer my congratulations to all of the recipients.”

ACM TRIPLE CROWN AWARD

Chris Stapleton will receive the prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award following his first win for ACM Entertainer of the Year at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. Stapleton qualified for the Triple Crown Award after winning ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year, ACM Male Vocalist of the Year, and ACM Entertainer of the Year throughout his career, an honor only eight other artists have received.

CHRIS STAPLETON

Kentucky-born Chris Stapleton is one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians. Over the course of his acclaimed career, he has released four albums, including 2020’s Starting Over and has collaborated with Adele, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, and Santana among many others. He has won eight GRAMMY Awards and 15 ACM Awards including Artist-Songwriter of

the Decade for the 2010s, six Album of the Year awards for Traveller, From A Room: Volume 1, and Starting Ove r (as an artist and producer for each album), three Male Vocalist of the Year awards, two Song of the Year awards for “Nobody To Blame” (as an artist and songwriter), New Male Vocalist of the Year, and the ACM Spirit Award, which Stapleton received at the 15th Annual ACM Honors in 2022. Most recently, Stapleton won Entertainer of the Year for the first time at the 58th ACM Awards, qualifying him for the ACM Triple Crown Award, and solidifying his name in the history books as one of the most celebrated artists of his generation. In addition to his work as a musician, Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, are founders of the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund, which supports a variety of causes close to their hearts.

ACM ICON AWARD

Mike Dungan and Tim McGraw have both been chosen to receive the ACM Icon Award, honoring the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his producing work along with his Country Music career. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader who, throughout their career, has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts.

MIKE DUNGAN

Mike Dungan has been a Country Music champion for decades, all the while developing top artists and delivering countless hits as a label executive. A Cincinnati native, Dungan got his start in the industry as a teenager working in a record store. In 1979, a label representative noticed Dungan’s potential and helped him land a job with RCA Records promoting pop records in the Midwest. In 1990, Dungan moved to Nashville as head of sales and marketing for Arista Nashville, which quickly evolved from a fledgling label into a multiplatinum powerhouse. Alongside label president Tim DuBois, Dungan nurtured new artists like Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Pam Tillis, and others. He also signed Brad Paisley to the label in 1998.

Upon being appointed president at Capitol Nashville in 2000, Dungan again tapped into a promising group of new artists and guided them into Country stardom. He elevated the careers of Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, and Keith Urban, and brought Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, and Lady Antebellum to the label. In 2012, Dungan joined UMG Nashville as Chairman and CEO, ushering in another lucrative decade with artists like Brothers Osborne, Kacey Musgraves, and Chris Stapleton. The label group continues to thrive with rising stars including Priscilla Block, Jordan Davis, and Parker McCollum. Dungan’s philanthropic efforts have supported entities such as Music Health Alliance, Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

TIM McGRAW

Tim McGraw has been at the forefront of Country Music for nearly three decades. Through performing, producing, and high-profile acting roles, McGraw has weathered the changes of Country Music to remain one of its most recognizable superstars. The Louisiana native moved to Nashville in 1989, just as a wave of new artists began taking over the Country charts. McGraw kicked off his career success with mid-’90s hits like “Don’t Take the Girl,” “Not a Moment Too Soon,” and “I Like It, I Love It,” which all spent multiple weeks at No. 1.

McGraw collected his first of 21 ACM Award trophies in 1994 for Top New Male Vocalist and Album of the Year (Not a Moment Too Soon). The ACM then bestowed Single, Song, Vocal Event, and Video of the Year awards to his 1997 smash duet with his wife, Faith Hill, “It’s Your Love.” McGraw concluded the decade with back-to-back Male Vocalist trophies. However, his biggest radio hit lay ahead: 2004’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” named ACM Single and Song of the Year. With “I Called Mama” in 2020, he entered his fourth decade of radio success.

One of Country Music’s most collaborative artists, McGraw co-produced Jo Dee Messina’s breakout albums and recorded ACM Award-winning hits with Kenny Chesney & Tracy Lawrence (“Find Out Who Your Friends Are”), Florida Georgia Line (“May We All”), and Taylor Swift and Keith Urban (“Highway Don’t Care”). He joined the ACM Award-winning Yellowstone franchise in the lead role of James Dillard Dutton on 1883 . McGraw’s 17th studio album Standing Room Only will be released August 25.

ACM INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Kane Brown has been chosen to receive the International Award, inspired by Jim Reeves and presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the growth of Country Music throughout the world.

KANE BROWN

Kane Brown broadened his global appeal with the Drunk or Dreaming Tour, an international trek that launched in Melbourne, Australia, in September 2022. During his trip Down Under, Brown also performed in Sydney and CBC Rocks in Queensland, followed by a show in Auckland, New Zealand. Concluding the year, he headlined 10 arenas in Canada, including stops in Ottawa, Montreal, London, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. In early 2023, Brown resumed the international tour in the United Kingdom and Europe, taking the stage for O2 Academy shows in Glasgow, Manchester, and Birmingham, as well as the Hammersmith Apollo in London. The European leg ended with shows in Amsterdam, Cologne, and Munich.

Since 2016, Brown has maintained an incredible winning streak. In addition to his nominations for ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year, Brown has landed on the ACM ballot with smashes such as “What Ifs” with Lauren Alaina (Vocal Event of the Year), “Heaven” (Single of the Year), Mixtape Vol. 1 (Album of the Year), and “Famous Friends” with Chris Young (Single, Music Event, and Video of the Year). Brown claimed his first ACM win for the breathtaking 2020 music video, “Worldwide Beautiful.” Brown resumed the Drunk or Dreaming Tour in March with scheduled dates across the United States through June. Fans enjoyed a wealth of charttopping hits ranging from “Lose It,” “Good as You,” and “Homesick,” to “One Mississippi,” “Like I Love Country Music,” and “Thank God,” a romantic duet featuring his wife, Katelyn Brown.

ACM LIFT EVERY VOICE AWARD

BRELAND has been chosen to receive the first-ever ACM Lift Every Voice Award. This award is presented to a Country Music 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. The nominee for this category is proposed by the rising leaders in the Academy’s LEVel UP: Lift Every Voice professional development and enrichment program, a twoyear curriculum designed to empower participants to play a pivotal role in expanding the horizons of Country Music into new audiences that transcend demographics and geography.

BRELAND

Daniel Breland, better known by his stage name BRELAND, might seem like an unexpected Country Music breakout, but those who know him and his music understand his broad “Cross Country” appeal. Growing up in New Jersey as the son of ministers, he was exposed to gospel music at a young age. He first experienced secular music at age 14 when he moved to boarding school where rap, hip-hop, and pop were predominant. Before attending college at Georgetown University, BRELAND dove into songwriting, and his songs were obvious products of his multi-genre influence. After college, he continued to pursue music in Atlanta, teaching himself the skills and software knowledge to produce his own music. Through social media and his #BrelandVerseChallenge, BRELAND rose to prominence during the pandemic, and his song “My Truck” solidified his place as a force for uniqueness and creativity in the Country landscape. In the years since, BRELAND has released a full-length debut project, achieved Gold and Platinum record status, was named a 2022 Amazon Breakthrough Artist, performed on the 57th ACM Awards, and collaborated with heavy hitters like Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, and Keith Urban.

Beyond his music, BRELAND is a team player in the Tennessee community. His annual BRELAND & Friends benefit concert supports Oasis Center, a Middle Tennessee-based comprehensive youth development agency. BRELAND continues to deliver messages of positivity and authenticity in all he does and is a driving force behind breaking the barriers of Country Music.

ACM LIFTING LIVES AWARD

Troy Vollhoffer has been chosen to receive the Lifting Lives Award, honoring the contributions of Gary Haber, known as a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors. ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director Lyndsay Cruz congratulates this year’s recipient and says, “This recognition for Troy is so well deserved and is a testament of his generosity and commitment to helping others. As a longtime Board Member and former Chair, his support has had a huge impact on the work of ACM Lifting Lives, and I’m so delighted we get to celebrate his contributions to making the industry a better place at ACM Honors in August. Troy's efforts have made a difference in people’s lives whether they know it or not, as he doesn’t seek the spotlight and has always been a selfless leader and a beacon of support to so many.”

TROY VOLLHOFFER

Troy Vollhoffer has been successfully involved in the music industry for more than 30 years, and during that time, he has placed an emphasis on giving back to support the Country community. He joined the Board of ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic partner of the Academy, in 2016 and rose quickly to Officer positions, including Vice President, President, and ultimately Chair in 2022. Additionally, he’s served on the advisory boards of the T.J. Martell Foundation and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, among other causes.

His company, Premier Global Production, has grown into one of the foremost staging and lighting companies in the world, having provided touring lights and outdoor staging to some of the biggest artists in the industry including Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence and the Machine, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, Lee Brice, and many more. The company also has serviced

ACM HONORS, HOSTED BY CARLY PEARCE, WILL CELEBRATE THE SPECIAL AWARD HONOREES AUGUST 23 AT RYMAN AUDITORIUM

some of the largest events in North America including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Electric Forest Festival, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Music Midtown, Tortuga Music Festival, and Hangout Music Festival, among others.

Vollhoffer, a former professional hockey player, is also well-known for music festivals, including six Country Thunder events across North America and a seventh event called Big Valley Jamboree. The Country Music festivals have been recognized for excellence in the music industry, receiving numerous award nominations and taking home the award for ACM Festival of the Year for Country Thunder Wisconsin at the 50th ACM Awards, Country Thunder Arizona at the 53rd ACM Awards, and Country Thunder Bristol, which was recently announced as the winner for ACM Festival of the Year for the 58th ACM Awards.

ACM POET’S AWARD

Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and K.T. Oslin have each been chosen as recipients of the ACM Poet’s Award. This award is presented to a Country Music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of Country Music.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER

One of the most eloquent singer-songwriters in Country Music history, Mary Chapin Carpenter is equally comfortable playing arenas with her band or solo with her acoustic guitar. Carpenter grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and earned a degree from Brown University, then developed her songwriting playing small clubs in Washington, D.C. She signed with Columbia Records on the strength of her early recordings and secured her first Top 10 Country single in 1989 with “Never Had It So Good,” co-written with her co-producer John Jennings. That initial success led to Carpenter’s first ACM Award as the 1990 Top New Female Vocalist.

CLINT BLACK

It’s one of the most storied careers in modern music. With a traditional Country voice and a charismatic smile, Clint Black surged to superstardom as part of the fabled Class of ’89. Raised in Katy, Texas, Black came up in the bars and nightclubs around Galveston and Houston. With road-tested material and an RCA contract, Black achieved immediate success at radio and especially with fans. He reached No. 1 with five consecutive singles from his triple-platinum debut, Killin’ Time. He received 1989 ACM Awards for Top New Male Vocalist and Top Male Vocalist, while “Better Man” picked up Single of the Year and Killin’ Time collected Album of the Year. He followed that with the triple-platinum Put Yourself in My Shoes, and then a string of platinum and gold albums throughout the ’90s. Perhaps most impressively, Black wrote or co-wrote every one of his more than three dozen chart hits, including “A Better Man,” “Killin’ Time,” “When My Ship Comes In,” “A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Summer’s Comin’,” “Like the Rain,” and “Nothin’ But the Taillights,” part of a catalog that produced 22 No. 1 singles and 30 top 10 hits that made him one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the modern era.

Along the way, Black accepted an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry in 1991, sold more than 20 million records, earned more than a dozen gold and platinum awards in the United States and Canada (including a GRAMMY), landed nearly two dozen major awards and nominations, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1991, her breakout hit “Down at the Twist and Shout” peaked at No. 2. and she carried that momentum into her fourth album, 1992’s Come On Come On. The collection featured hits “I Feel Lucky,” “The Hard Way," and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” and went on to sell more than 4 million copies. Carpenter was awarded ACM Top Female Vocalist Award that year as well. By 1995, Carpenter claimed her own No. 1 Country single, “Shut Up and Kiss Me,” and had written a Top 10 hit recorded by Wynonna (“Girls With Guitars”). Carpenter has also had success writing with other artists, including “Sally’s Pigeons” with Cyndi Lauper, “No Fear” with Terri Clark, and “Where Are You Now” written with Kim Richey and recorded by Trisha Yearwood. Over the course of her acclaimed career, Carpenter has sold more than 16 million albums, won five GRAMMY Awards with 18 nominations, including for her most recent album One Night Lonely, which was nominated for Best Folk Album in 2022. In 2012, Carpenter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, one of 15 women to have received the honor at the time.

K.T. OSLIN

K.T. Oslin surprised almost everyone when she became a Country Music sensation in her 40s with the career-defining 1987 hit, “80’s Ladies.” But for mature Country listeners who recognized their own lives in her lyrics, it was clear that she arrived right on time. Born in Arkansas, Oslin grew up in Houston and eventually moved to New York City. Although she landed a dancing role on Broadway and toured colleges as a solo performer, Oslin felt drawn to songwriting. Gradually making inroads in Nashville, she placed songs with Dottie West and Gail Davies before landing a last-chance contract with RCA Records.

At age 44, Oslin released “80’s Ladies” to critical acclaim. Although it peaked at No. 7 at Country radio, her recording won a GRAMMY and prompted her to be named the 1987 ACM New Female Vocalist. Known for telling stories in her innovative, cinematic videos, Oslin also picked up an ACM Award for the “80’s Ladies” music video. Her other beloved originals include “Do Ya’,” “I’ll Always Come Back,” and “Old Pictures,” the latter recorded by the Judds.

A year later, Oslin collected 1988 ACM trophies for Top Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for This Woman. She also won two GRAMMYs for the bittersweet ballad, “Hold Me.” Before bowing out of the spotlight in the early 1990s, she placed “Come Next Monday” at the top of the Country chart for two weeks. A 2018 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Oslin passed away in 2020.

ACM SERVICE AWARD

Charlie Cook and Bill Mayne have both been chosen as the recipients of the ACM Service Award, honoring the contributions of songwriter Mae Boren Axton and her service to the Academy. This award is presented to an outstanding Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.

CHARLIE COOK

Charlie Cook is an award-winning disc jockey, an accomplished Country radio executive, and a former Chairman, President, and Radio Committee Chair of the Academy of Country Music’s Board of Directors, where he still serves as the longest-serving ACM Board Member in Academy history. Cook started his career at WMBN in Petoskey, Michigan, and built his résumé with stops in KLAK/Denver, WWVA/Wheeling, West Virginia, and WHN/New York City. In 1977, he was named “DJ of the Year” by Billboard. After a short time in Miami, Cook relocated to Los Angeles in 1980 to flip KHJ-AM to Country, then accepted a job offer at another L.A. Country station, KLAC. After a management change, Cook found an opportunity to join McVay Media, a position he held for 13 years. However, exhausted from the traveling it required, Cook opted for a role at Westwood One, where he stayed from 1996 to 2006.

Cook brought those diverse experiences to Cumulus from 2006 to 2008 as vice president of Programming. His career path then led him back to Los Angeles as senior manager of Programming at KKGO for two years, followed by three years at West Virginia Radio Corporation, where he served as director of Programming. Regarded for his leadership and mentoring, Cook received the CRB’s President’s Award in 2010 and was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2011. Cook returned to Cumulus in 2014. He currently serves as vice president of Country Music, programming operations manager for Cumulus Nashville’s five-station cluster, and program director for WSM-FM and WKDF-FM.

BILL MAYNE

Bill Mayne devoted his career to Country radio, along with dedicating more than 35 years of service to the Academy of Country Music’s Board of Directors. Mayne studied radio, TV, and film at the University of Houston, and his interest in radio carried him to Austin, Texas, where he worked as a disc jockey and a program director for KNOW. Subsequent stops included KASE in Austin, KSCS/WBAP in Dallas, and KZLA/KLAC in Los Angeles. In 1988, he accepted a position at Warner Bros. Nashville working in promotion, then rose to become senior vice president and general manager of the label. During this time Mayne worked with artists such as Holly Dunn, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, and Dwight Yoakam. After that, he held an executive role at 903 Music, the label launched by Neal McCoy, prior to establishing his own firm, Mayne Street Consulting.

In early 2010, Mayne’s company provided consultation to Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., during a sensitive time for the Country Radio Seminar. Through Mayne’s leadership, CRS experienced a growth in attendance, sponsorship, and engagement. He had been part of the CRB’s Board of Directors when he accepted the role of executive director, a position he held from 2011 until his retirement in 2019. That same year, he marked his 50th anniversary of working in the music industry. Mayne has served as Chairman of the Board for the Academy of Country Music as well as ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy’s charitable partner, in addition to every other officer role.

ACM SPIRIT AWARD

Charlie Daniels has been chosen for the ACM Spirit Award, honoring the contributions of Merle Haggard, who received 20 ACM Awards in his career, including the Triple Crown Award. This award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of Country Music legend Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs, and epitomizing Haggard’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.

CHARLIE DANIELS

Charlie Daniels freely shared his thoughts and viewpoints throughout his career, but his legacy may be his deep love for children, his fans, and his country. He devoted countless hours of his time and recruited several of his favorite artists to join him on the annual Christmas 4 Kids Tour Bus Shows. His many Volunteer Jams appealed to Country listeners who embraced Daniels’ outsized personality, while veterans and military families could not have found a more enthusiastic or patriotic advocate.

Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Daniels taught himself to play guitar at 15, started touring with a rock band after high school, and emerged in the 1960s as a promising songwriter and studio musician. Elvis Presley cut one of Daniels’ compositions, “It Hurts Me,” in 1964. Daniels co-wrote the song with producer Bob Johnston, who would later hire Daniels to play guitar and/or bass guitar on three albums by Bob Dylan: Nashville Skyline, Self Portrait and New Morning.

In 1973, “Uneasy Rider” carried the Charlie Daniels Band into the Top 10 at pop radio. A year later, Fire on the Mountain proved to be the band’s platinum breakout album, offering essential CDB tracks like “Long Haired Country Boy,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” and “Trudy.” Although Daniels charted 34 singles at Country radio across five consecutive decades, his signature song will always be 1979’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” A recipient of the 1997 ACM Pioneer Award, Daniels was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and passed away in 2020.

ACM ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD

As previously announced, HARDY was awarded the 58th ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual known both as an artist and a songwriter, selected by a professional panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization (PRO) representatives. The panel submits five nominees, at which time ACM members in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Songwriter, Music Publisher/PRO and Record Company categories vote for the winner. This is the first-ever ACM ArtistSongwriter of the Year Award and HARDY received the honor after winning ACM Songwriter of the Year last year.

HARDY

Big Loud Records’ heavy-hitter HARDY has never been just one thing. Kicking off a new chapter, HARDY soared to new heights with the release of the mockingbird & THE CROW, his critically acclaimed half-Country, half-rock sophomore album, adding to over 2.8 billion career streams. The dichotomous, 17-track effort debuted top-five all-genre on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and kinged seven additional Billboard charts in its first week, including Top Country Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Album Sales. The pride of Philadelphia, Mississippi, has earned his reputation as “a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive” (American Songwriter), “capable of writing the big hits for radio, obstinate enough to do something completely unexpected, and savvy enough to find the throughline for it all” (Rolling Stone). A five-time ACM Award winner, HARDY is a three-time CMA Triple Play Award recipient, the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year. HARDY has written 13 No. 1 singles including his own double platinum No. 1 single “ONE BEER” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson, chart-topping, platinum Dierks Bentley and BRELAND collaboration, “Beers On Me,” and game-changing platinum duet “wait in the truck” featuring Lainey Wilson. HARDY has been nominated for ACM Awards with a songwriter credit on Morgan Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots,” Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country,” for which HARDY took home an ACM Award, and his own song “wait in the truck.” He previously toured with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more, and flies nationwide on his sold-out, 19-date headline arena tour, the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour, this fall.

ACM SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD

As previously announced, Ashley Gorley was awarded the 58th ACM Songwriter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a professional panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization (PRO) representatives. The panel submits five nominees, at which time ACM members in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Songwriter, Music Publisher/PRO and Record Company categories vote for the winner. This is Ashley Gorley’s first ACM Songwriter of the Year Award.

ASHLEY GORLEY

Ashley Gorley has written 67 No. 1 singles and has had more than 400 songs recorded by artists such as Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Cole Swindell, Blake Shelton, HARDY, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Parmalee, Lee Brice, Brad Paisley, and Darius Rucker. He was named the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022; Billboard Country Songwriter of the Year in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022; and the NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022. He also was named the NMPA’s Top Male Songwriter of 2021 with 24 certified songs. Gorley has been nominated for multiple GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM Awards and has received the CMA’s Triple Play Award 20 times in his career, which recognizes songwriters with three or more No.1 songs in one year. In 2016, he became the first songwriter to be honored with three CMA Triple Play Awards in a single year for earning nine chart-topping songs in a 12-month period. He repeated that feat in 2020 and 2022. This year, Gorley was announced as ACM Songwriter of the Year for the first time, taking home the Song of the Year award. He also celebrated three Song of the Year nods, placing him in rare company with Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard, the only other songwriters to achieve the feat in a single year. In addition to his decorated career as a songwriter, Gorley runs his own publishing company, Tape Room Music, whose writers have celebrated nearly 40 No. 1 hits and several Top 10 songs recorded by artists such as HARDY, Sam Hunt, Keith Urban, Dustin Lynch, Jake Owen, and Florida Georgia Line. ●

BY BRITTANY UHNIAT

KICKING OFF THE A

CM Country Kickoff got the ACM Awards party started with a free, open-to-thepublic, two-day festival where fans were able to get up close and personal with some of their favorite Country Music acts.

Performers included Chayce Beckham, Ashley Cooke, Chapel Hart, Hannah Ellis, Tiera Kennedy, Corey Kent, Randall King, Erin Kinsey, Chase Matthew, Ian Munsick, Neon Union, Catie Offerman, MacKenzie Porter (who surprised the crowd with a special appearance by her chart-topping duet partner Dustin Lynch), Frank Ray, Josh Ross, Dylan Scott, Caitlyn Smith, Nate Smith, MaRynn Taylor, and Tenille Townes. In addition, the crowd was treated to a performance by the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

The first festival night concluded with Live From the ACMs: ACM New Artist Winners Celebration where Gabby Barrett, the 2020 ACM New Female Artist of the Year winner, revealed the ACM New Male Artist of the Year, which was awarded to Zach Bryan, and ACM New Female Artist of the Year, which was presented to Hailey Whitters. Whitters took to the stage to perform for the crowd after accepting her award.

The Coors Light Beer Garden kept the beverages flowing, and a VIP space presented by Lucas Oil provided a prime view of the stage. ACM Country Kickoff also featured fun and festive photo opportunities, food trucks, lawn games, ACM Awards merchandise, the Dolly! All Access Shop, and activations by a host of partners, including ACM Lifting Lives, Amazon Music, Ashley HomeStore, Kendra Scott, Lucchese, North Texas Ford, and Visit Frisco. Thank you to all our partners who helped make the first-ever ACM Country Kickoff a huge success!

BY BRITTANY UHNIAT

TAKEOVER A

CM Lifting Lives hosted its all-star ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On golf tournament, an ACM Awards week industry favorite, as well as the ACM Lifting Lives LIVE benefit concert at Topgolf The Colony. Kameron Marlowe, Lily Rose, and Matt Stell took the stage to perform during the tournament. The nighttime concert featured live performances from ERNEST, HARDY, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman with a special addition of Jason Aldean who filled in for Morgan Wallen. Wallen was there in spirit as Aldean performed a cover of his hit “Whiskey Glasses” to the packed crowd on the golf green. The Topgolf takeover is now ACM Lifting Lives’ largest fundraising event to date and will continue to fund its vital work that helps to improve lives through the power of music.

GLAMOUR

The Official ACM Awards Red Carpet Show, hosted by Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton (Amazon’s “Country Heat Weekly” podcast co-host), Priscilla Block, BRELAND, and Elaina Smith, kicked off the 58th ACM Awards in style. The show, which streamed free on Prime Video, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, and Amazon Live, gave fans VIP access to all the glitz and glam on the carpet and included special performances from Dalton Dover, Tigirlily Gold, and Matt Stell.

GLAMOUR GALORE

AT THE 58TH ACM AWARDS

BY ALISON BONAGURO

While the 58th ACM Awards marked plenty of firsts for Country Music’s Party of the Year — the first time the show returned to Texas since the recordbreaking 50th ACM Awards in Dallas, the first time hosting the show at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, the first time Garth Brooks ever hosted an awards show, and so many others — the heart of the show remains consistent year after year while still feeling fresh and offering artists a stage to showcase and support the genre’s adaptability and ever-changing nature.

Keith Urban, 15-time ACM Awards winner, opened the show with a fitting and high-energy performance of his single “Texas Time,” paying homage to one of Texas’ own, Waylon Jennings, by playing on Jennings’ Fender Telecaster. With an arrangement change, a lifted floor panel, and use of a talk box, the opening act exemplified the ever-present theme throughout the night — Country Music isn’t just one sound.

Brooks took the stage, sharing his thoughts on lessons learned from the past saying, “As singers, our paths are lit and paved by the artists who come before us. These musical Gods create the foundation for the next generation to stand on, forever building the legacy we so proudly call Country Music. You can’t have this conversation about it without the conversation always going to who is the greatest of all time, the GOAT ...,” said Brooks. This became the segue to one of the evening’s most memorable and unexpected moments. Parton entered the stage pulling a pink wagon and in it was an actual goat named Clare. “Did I hear someone was looking for a goat?” quipped Parton, who is always known to be quick with a joke.

Both Parton and Brooks were effusive with their praise, a clear admiration for one another’s impact on the format. And the pair’s chemistry as hosts couldn’t have been more evident. Parton echoed Brooks sentiments with some kind words of her own, saying, “I’ll never forget when Garth

arrived on the scene and just changed the game of Country Music forever.”

As the performances resumed, Jo Dee Messina joined Cole Swindell for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” bringing the remix to life. Messina kicked off the performance with a verse from the original “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and proved that she still can tear up the stage. After their performance, Swindell was presented with the first award of the night, ACM Song of the Year, one of his eventual three for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” While accepting the award, Swindell said, “I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, because I wanted to be a songwriter. And that’s what this award is for. And to Jo Dee: We wouldn’t have this song without you making the original song a hit. There’s a kid out there watching this tonight who is gonna get inspired by somebody’s song, and they’re gonna chase the dream just like we all have. God bless Country Music.”

The performances continued with Kane Brown singing a fiery, fiddle-soaked “Bury Me in Georgia,” and Carly Pearce paying tribute to one of her idols, Trisha Yearwood. The pair sang a medley of hits from Yearwood’s 30-year career, including her debut single “She’s in Love with the Boy,” “Wrong Side of Memphis,” and “XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl).”

Clockwise from top left: Keith Urban; Carly Pearce and Trisha Yearwood; Jo Dee Messina and Cole Swindell; Kane Brown

ACM Music Event of the Year nominees Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter were on hand to present the ACM Duo of the Year Award, which went to Brothers Osborne, making it their fourth win in the category.

“My wife, Lucie, can’t be here tonight,” said John Osborne of Brothers Osborne. “We just had twins seven weeks ago. So, Lucie, Arthur, Maybelle, I love y’all so much. And just as much, I love the Country Music community. We are the luckiest people in the world.”

In addition, Old Dominion took home their sixth consecutive award for ACM Group of the Year, and the band’s frontman, Matthew Ramsey, offered up his sentiments saying, “I also know there are people hurting in the world trying to figure out how to make sense of divisiveness and shootings and things like that. We are proud to be able to make music for people who are hurting right now. Thank you for allowing us to make music for whoever needs it.”

Contributing to the show’s firsts, HARDY made his debut ACM Awards performance as the newly minted ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year with his heavy-metal tinged “Truck Bed.” Newcomer Bailey Zimmerman also made his first ACM Awards stage appearance performing his breakout hit “Rock and A Hard Place,” and ACM New Female Artist of the Year winner, Hailey Whitters did the same with her latest gold-certified song, “Everything She Ain’t.” ACM

Clockwise from top left: HARDY; Hailey Whitters; Bailey Zimmerman; Old Dominion; The War and Treaty; Brothers Osborne

Duo of the Year nominee, The War and Treaty, showcased their powerhouse vocals with “Blank Page,” making it their first solo performance at the ACM Awards after joining Dierks Bentley at the 2021 show.

The solo performances were every bit as noteworthy, with Miranda Lambert’s sentimental “Carousel,” Jordan Davis’ moving “Next Thing You Know,” Lainey Wilson’s fiery “Grease,” and Jason Aldean’s Country-rock “Tough Crowd.”

Another one of the night’s most epic moments started with a FaceTime from Willie Nelson, calling to thank Parton for his 90th birthday gift. Cody Johnson, the born-and-raised Texan, followed with a cover of the 1978 cowboy classic duet from Nelson and Jennings, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” Johnson even put his own spin on it singing, “Mammas, don’t let your cowboys grow up to be babies,” emphasizing it wasn’t a fumble saying, “I mean what I said.”

Clockwise from top left: Lainey Wilson; Jordan Davis; Willie Nelson; Cody Johnson; Miranda Lambert; Jason Aldean

In a departure from the usual boot-stomping anthems he’s known for, Luke Combs presented audiences with a stunning performance of “Love You Anyway,” and moments later was joined by the evening’s special guest, global pop sensation Ed Sheeran. The two superstars sang a stripped back version of one of Sheeran’s latest releases, “Life Goes On” accompanied only by Ed’s guitar and eventually a string quartet that will be an unforgettable, fan-favorite collaboration for years to come.

Brooks and Parton also took the time to memorialize the Country artists we lost in 2023. “We lovingly remember all those we’ve lost in our Country Music family, and we promise to do our best to keep the circle forever unbroken in their memory,” Brooks said. Parton went on to sing her cover of the gospel song “Precious Memories” a cappella.

Parton, a previous ACM Female Artist of the Year, presented this year’s award to Lainey Wilson, who took home ACM New Female Artist of the Year Award only last year. A clearly moved Wilson accepted the award saying, “This is absolutely insane. I have so many people on my team who fight for me every single day. And the ladies in this category, I’m up here because of y’all,” she said as her

eyes welled up with tears. “Everybody in this category didn’t just wind up there by happenstance. They have worked their fingers to the bone. They have put the blood, sweat, tears, and years into this and made so many sacrifices. For the little girls watching this, this right here stands for hard work,” she said, acknowledging her trophy. “If you’re gonna be a dreamer, you better be a doer.”

Jelly Roll, whose semi-autobiographical, vulnerable ballad, “Save Me,” which has become an unlikely Country hit, invited Lainey Wilson to share vocals with him for a special ACM Lifting Lives performance.

Along with ACM Female Artist of the Year, Wilson brought home an additional three awards, including ACM Album of the Year for Bell Bottom Country, ACM Music Event of the Year and ACM Visual Media of the Year for “wait in the truck” alongside collaborator HARDY. When accepting the award, HARDY was quick to recognize his partner in the project, Wilson, saying, “There was never a doubt that you [Wilson] were always the one to make people believe the song. She sings this song with conviction, and therefore they resonate with it. So, thank you, everybody, for resonating with this song, especially something of this subject.”

Clockwise from top left: Luke Combs; Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson; Luke Combs and Ed Sheeran; Dolly Parton

Other wins for the evening include Morgan Wallen’s win for ACM Male Artist of the Year and Zach Bryan’s win for ACM New Male Artist of the Year.

Ashley McBryde transported viewers from Frisco to Lindeville with her performance of “Bonfire At Tina’s” with the artists including Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, and Pillbox Patti, along with Lindeville’s producer John Osborne supporting on guitar.

Trisha Yearwood returned to the stage to present the evening’s crowning honor, ACM Entertainer of the Year, to Chris Stapleton, making it his first win in the category. Stapleton, humble as always, accepted the award and thanked his team. “By any imaginable metric, I don’t deserve this, but thank you,” said Stapleton. “There are so many other great people in this category, and I get up there and I stand up there, and I play music. That’s what I try to do every night. I write songs and I make records, and I’ve never thought of myself as somebody who’d win this award. I’m so grateful to each and every person who works so hard to make us able to do what we do,” he said as he gave special thanks to his wife and five children.

Parton closed the show with the world-premiere of “World On Fire,” her first single from the 30-song rock album Rockstar to be released later this year. After a three-minute blockbuster performance, it was clear that Parton’s voice will remain forever timeless no matter what genre she embraces. ●

Clockwise from top left: Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, Ashley McBryde, and Pillbox Patti; Chris Stapleton; Dolly Parton; John Osborne of Brothers Osborne

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Chris Stapleton

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Lainey Wilson

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Morgan Wallen

DUO OF THE YEAR

Brothers Osborne GROUP OF THE YEAR

Old Dominion

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Hailey Whitters

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Zach Bryan

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/ Record Company–Label(s)

BellBottomCountry

Lainey Wilson

PRODUCER: Jay Joyce

RECORD COMPANY-LABEL: Broken Bow Records

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/ Record Company–Label(s)

“She Had Me at Heads Carolina”

Cole Swindell

PRODUCER: Zach Crowell

RECORD COMPANY-LABEL: Warner Music Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR

Awarded to Songwriter(s)/

Publisher(s)/Artist(s)

“She Had Me at Heads Carolina”

Cole Swindell

SONGWRITERS: Ashley Gorley, Cole Swindell, Jesse Frasure, Mark D. Sanders, Thomas Rhett, Tim Nichols

PUBLISHERS: Ashley Gorley Publishing Designee; Be A Light Publishing; Colden Rainey Music; EMI Blackwood Music Inc; Songs Of Roc Nation Music; Sony Tree Publishing; Telemitry Rhythm House Music; Universal Music Corp; WC Music Corp; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp

VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR

Awarded to Producer(s)/ Director(s)/Artist(s)

"wait in the truck"

HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson

PRODUCERS: Taylor Vermillion; Ben Skipworth

DIRECTOR: Justin Clough

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR

Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/ Record Company–Label(s)

"wait in the truck"

HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson

PRODUCERS: Derek Wells, HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt

RECORD COMPANY-LABEL: Big Loud Records

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Ashley Gorley

WINNER HIGHLIGHTS

of the 58TH ACM Awards

This is CHRIS STAPLETON ’s first win for ACM Entertainer of the Year, and his win qualifies him for the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award, celebrating artists who have won New Female/Male Artist of the Year, Female/Male Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. His win brings his total ACM Awards count to 15.

This marks LAINEY WILSON ’s first wins for ACM Female Artist of the Year, ACM Album of the Year, ACM Music Event of the Year, and ACM Visual Media of the Year. Her four wins tie her for the mostawarded artist of the evening and bring her total ACM Awards count to seven.

After being named ACM ArtistSongwriter of the Year and a winner for ACM Visual Media of the Year in pre-televised categories, HARDY took home an additional two ACM Awards during the show for ACM Music Event of the Year, where he won both as an artist and a producer for “wait in the truck.” That ties him with Lainey Wilson as the most-awarded artist of the 58th ACM Awards and brings HARDY’s total ACM Award count to five.

COLE SWINDELL followed with three wins.

The show celebrated Country Music’s biggest stars and emerging talent and featured 18 show-stopping performances from 25 artists, along with exclusive collaborations and unexpected moments that captivated fans worldwide.

Winners announced include two first-time On-Air Personality honorees, ELAINA SMITH of With Elaina for National Weekly

On-Air Personality of the Year, and JULIE and DJ of Julie and DJ in the Morning for Medium Market On-Air Personality of the Year. Meanwhile, WIVK-FM in Knoxville, Tennessee, and WYCT-FM in Pensacola, Florida, both take home their fifth total ACM Awards for Medium Market Radio Station of the Year and Small Market Radio Station of the Year, respectively. STEVE WATERS and TIFFANY KAY of WFLS take home the Small Market On-Air Personality of the Year title, making this Kay's first ACM Award win and Waters’ second.

Additional winners include

GEORGE, MO, AND ERIK of The Morning Bullpen with George, Mo, and Erik on KILT-FM in Houston and BIG DAVE, STATTMAN, and ASHLEY of The Big Dave Show on WUBE-FM in Cincinnati for Major Market and Large Market On-Air Personality of the Year, respectively. KKBQ-FM in Houston received an award for Major Market Radio Station of the Year, and WSIX-FM in Nashville, Tennessee, received an award for Large Market Radio Station of the Year.

This is the third overall win for The Big D and Bubba Show. Individually, this is CARSEN ’s first win, PATRICK THOMAS ’s second, and BIG D and BUBBA’s third win for National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year.

NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

(Daily)

The Big D and Bubba Show Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas, Carsen

NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

(Weekly)

With Elaina

Elaina Smith

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

(Major Market)

The Morning Bullpen with George, Mo and Erik George, Mo and Erik KILT (Houston)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

(Large Market)

The Big Dave Show

Big Dave, Stattman, & Ashley WUBE (Cincinnati)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

(Medium Market)

Julie and DJ in the Morning Julie Kansy and Dale Sellers

WPCV (Lakeland, Florida)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

(Small Market)

Steve & Tiffany in the Morning Steve Waters and Tiffany Kay WFLS (Fredericksburg, Virginia)

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

(Major Market)

KKBQ – Houston

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

(Large Market)

WSIX – Nashville, Tennessee

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

(Medium Market)

WIVK – Knoxville, Tennessee

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

(Small Market)

WYCT – Pensacola, Florida

MAKES WAVES

This year’s Media Row, sponsored by Fritos, gave 50 Country artists an opportunity to chat with 10 different media outlets from throughout the country — a 47% increase in artist participation compared to last year. Radio and media personalities discussed all things ACM Awards as well as the Awards week events with the participating artists. Between interviews, artists snacked on Fritos and visited the Wrangler Stitching Station where they were able to customize their Wrangler apparel thanks to Fort Lonesome Chainstitch Embroidery.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Frank Ray; MaRynn Taylor; Midland; Corey Kent; Dylan Scott; Caylee Hammack

“It's a blur onstage. You have an idea of what you’re gonna say it never comes out right. And I walk backstage, and we get a million texts from friends, my wife, my family. It reminds you constantly of where you came from and the journey you took … We are fortunately in a position now where we can swim and bask in the glory of something … The Country Music community has lifted us on their shoulders for years now, and we’d be nothing without them, and I’m very grateful for that.”

— JOHN

“Going into this week, I’ve truly been thinking about how many people it takes to build an artist … I can’t do it on my own. And I just think about all the people that get you there and how hard they work. I feel like sometimes I can take that for granted. Celebrating this moment with all those people that really got you there is super important.”

— HARDY

“I have been here [in Country Music] a long time. And having had those low moments and second-guessing yourself and doubting yourself and wondering if you should quit, I think that makes this moment so much sweeter.”

— HAILEY WHITTERS

OSBORNE OF BROTHERS OSBORNE

“I’m on Cloud Nine. I think I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. One of the biggest nights of my life right here tonight and will be for forever.”

— LAINEY WILSON

“There are so many songs that have inspired me, and I know what Song of the Year means. It’s a songwriter’s award. And to be able to share that with a lot of friends, and also Jo Dee Messina is a huge part of it as well. We wouldn’t have it without her … I can’t imagine being any happier than I am all around right now.”

— COLE SWINDELL

“I’m humbled by it … I’m gonna go home that’s how I’m gonna celebrate and wake up in my own bed hopefully.”

— CHRIS STAPLETON

“We are going to Applebee’s [to celebrate] … There’s an Applebee’s like three miles from here, and so we called them and said, ‘We’re bringing as many people as we possibly can, so get ready!’”

— OLD DOMINION

When you bring Country Music’s Party of the Year to the HQ of America’s team, you must end it in style! The 58th ACM Awards wrapped in true Texas fashion with the Party in the Endzone After-Party presented by Amazon Music. Artists, industry professionals, and fans alike enjoyed snacks and beverages while jamming out to live performances by Priscilla Block, BRELAND, ERNEST, Caitlyn Smith, Nate Smith, and Tenille Townes. In addition to great music and fantastic memories, after-party attendees walked away with customized cowboy hats. Thank you to our partners who made the after-party such a success!

double wide castle sessions ep

Two of today’s most successful Country artists, HARDY and Lainey Wilson, have put in the work, truly dominating the space with their authenticity, talent, and dedication

Tenacity

10-Year Town in a

BY LIBBY GARDNER

The 58th ACM Awards’ most-awarded artists HARDY and Lainey Wilson each took home four trophies at this year’s show. Persistent and outright-talented, the “wait in the truck” pair aren’t exactly newcomers to the Country Music scene, each having 10-plus years in the 10-year town, but they found each other at the perfect moment, forming a close-knit friendship, making bad-ass music, and pushing each other and the genre forward in the process.

The two only met a few years ago while on tour with Morgan Wallen at the end of 2018. But in talking to them, seeing them interact, and watching them perform onstage, one would think they’d been friends for decades.

“He’s a Mississippi boy. I’m a Louisiana girl,” explained Wilson. “I knew we were kind of cut from the same cloth. I knew that we would be friends for a very long time.” And jokingly, Wilson added, “You ain’t getting rid of me, boy.”

And more than just being from the South and getting along, the two understand and appreciate each other’s talents and unique take on Country Music.

“My Lord, I tell people all the time that watching a HARDY show is like watching a WWE wrestling match,” Wilson said when describing HARDY’s music. “You feel like he’s going to jump off something and do an elbow into somebody’s face, and it is the coolest thing. It’s an experience to be a part of. He can do it all. And the bottom line is, he’s just an incredible storyteller. I’ve always been a fan and always will be.”

The word that came to HARDY’s mind when defining Wilson’s music — authenticity.

“People crave that shit, man,” he said. “I’ve had people off camera be like, ‘Was that accent real?’ and I’m like, ‘That shit is real.’ And it translates into her music. Everything that she says in her music is 100% her … And we’re past this era of like, ‘bro country,’ ‘larger-than-life’ kind of thing. We’re now moving into a world where we humanize ourselves. We just are ourselves with our music, and Lainey’s music is par for the course for that.”

It was only this past year that the two teamed up for their first collaboration, “wait in the truck,” which took home ACM Music Event of the Year and ACM Visual Media of the Year at the 58th ACM Awards.

“I was sitting in the studio,” said HARDY. “I had just done my vocal on the actual cut, and we were just sitting around. I texted Lainey and I said, ‘Hey, basically I think I’ve written the best song I’ve ever written, and I’d love for you to be a part of it on my next record.’”

“I was in the Nashville airport flying somewhere, and I believe it wouldn’t download or something for me just yet,” Wilson recalled. “I got on the plane, and I was like, ‘All right, I guess I’m just going to have to wait until I land.’ So, it’s funny the song is called ‘wait in the truck.’ I was making HARDY do the waiting, though. But, I mean when he texted me, I’m not going to lie … I was a little bit like, ‘Well, we’ll see if this is the best song that he’s ever written,’ because I think everything he writes is great. He can write you a Country song. He can write you a metal song. He can write you a Christian song. It’s about that storytelling. And when I finally got the song downloaded and I listened to it, I knew immediately what he meant.”

FROM TOP: HARDY and Lainey Wilson moments before taking the stage after being named ACM Music Event of the Year winners

The award-winning project does more than give a voice to the disturbing yet truthful stories of domestic violence, it gives a voice to its victims, and like all good music does — even when the stories are hard to share or hurt — it brings a sense of comfort.

“It took me back to why I fell in love with Country Music to begin with,” Wilson explained. “It took me back to songs like ‘Whiskey Lullaby’ and ‘Thunder Rolls’ and ‘Goodbye Earl.’ And I knew immediately that I had to be a part of it, even if radio never played the song. It’s been a really long time since they have ever played anything like that, but they took a big ole chance on it, and I’m so glad they did because that’s truly what Country Music is. It’s about making people feel something. It’s about making people feel like they’re not alone. And I’m so proud that I got to be a small part of something that I feel like did what it was supposed to do.”

But what may be even more powerful is that, between the two of them and their music, they are contributing to the evolution of the genre — without even realizing or intentionally

doing so — allowing a spot for more relatable, sincere stories to be told and shared. Between Lainey’s genuine nature and funky Country vibes and HARDY’s unapologetic rock-on energy, both have brought a freshness to the scene.

“I just do what I do, and it just kind of happens to be a part of this culture of pushing the envelope,” said HARDY. “I’m approaching a lot of that stuff with more purpose … But truly, at first, it just sort of happened on accident, and I’m just really thankful for it … The people that really pushed the envelope in history — there’s so many — but in Country it was Garth. I would even say Florida Georgia Line … And then Eminem in rap and even guys like Kid Rock early on, they just did what they do, and they didn’t really force it. And it ended up being a natural, creative way to push the envelope by just doing what they do and then not trying to sound like anything or anyone else.”

“I do feel like Country is kind of becoming cool again, which it should have never not been cool in the first place,” Wilson added. “I do think Yellowstone has had a lot to do with that. The Western way of life is becoming

“I just do what I do, and it just kind of happens to be a part of this culture of pushing the envelope.” —HARDY

cool again. Everybody is wanting to dress like a cowboy. Everybody is wanting to listen to Country Music and throw a dip in. Because the truth is, I think Country Music makes people feel at home, and I think everybody is to a point to where they just want to feel like they’re at home. They want something that keeps them centered and grounded and focused.”

Their talents, relatability, and individuality easily contributed to their success at the ACM Awards, and in reflecting on their nods, the pair felt thankful, explaining that winning awards is not necessarily what they or any artist sets out to do, but it does serve as a form of confirmation that they’re on the right track.

“I remember a time when I just wanted to be a part of the Country Music family,” said Wilson. “I just I wanted to be invited to an awards show. I wanted to sit down there with the artists. I wanted to be friends with the artists. And it’s really cool to think that I’m becoming a part of that family, much less be nominated, and then to hear your name be called. It definitely is this stamp of approval … And I’m sure HARDY would agree that neither one of us probably moved to Nashville to win awards. But that is a nice thing that comes along with whipping butt right now, so I’ll take it.”

Agreeing with Wilson, HARDY explained that not only is it validation, but also, it’s rewarding being recognized among the Country Music community.

“I came to a few award shows once I lived in Nashville, and I would sit up in the crowd,” said HARDY. “I could look out and I could see all those singers and I just was like … ‘Man, how cool is that that everybody is there, and everybody is celebrating each other.’ Just to be on the floor with the people nominated is so cool … And then to take home an award in general, and then to take home the most. It’s all just very surreal, but it’s a very good symbol of validation that what you’re doing is correct, and your peers and everybody is rooting for you, and they think you are deserving of awards. It’s all crazy.”

As tenacious as these two are, they both emphasized that patience is a key component in getting to this point in their careers.

“One of my favorite phrases in the world is ‘trust the process,’ and you just have to be patient,” said HARDY. “It took me eight years to have a hit as a writer, and it took me 10 to have a hit as an artist … Don’t freak out. Don’t quit. Take a break. Just keep doing what you’re doing and be patient.”

Similarly, it was a long time coming for Wilson, a dreamer through and through.

“I feel like the Lord has put this dream on my heart,” she said. “I knew even at a very early age — at 9 years old, I wrote my first song — that this is what I was going to do. I didn’t know exactly how it was going to look, but I knew that I was given a gift, and I was supposed to use it. I had some dark days. I lived in a little camper trailer for the first

“I think Country Music makes people feel at home, and I think everybody is to a point to where they just want to feel like they’re at home.”

— Lainey Wilson

three years I was here [Nashville], and so I think you have to be a little bit of a psychopath too. I think you have to literally believe it when other people don’t … Don’t worry about what everybody is doing on either side of you. Find whatever it is that makes you different and special and give 190% with that. And at some point in time, with that patience and some faith, I truly think you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be.”

“wait in the truck” won’t be the last for these two. They both are eagerly ready for another collaboration but, of course, only when the time is right.

With Wilson on the line, HARDY used the time to brainstorm some ideas saying, “I don’t even know how you would do this but if you could like create a universe where the next song we do I’m still the guy in ‘wait in the truck,’ and Lainey is still the girl — that’s got to be the coolest thing in the world.”

“Part two … It would be called ‘let me out of the truck,’” said Wilson.

So, y’all better watch out. ●

“Don’t worry about what everybody is doing on either side of you. Find whatever it is that makes you different and special and give 190% with that.” —Lainey Wilson

BY BRITTANY UHNIAT

Music CONNECTIONCamp

ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp has a dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome, a genetic condition, while providing music enrichment through performance and education. Many of those who have Williams syndrome are exceptionally drawn to music and have quite a natural talent for it, and music provides an excellent opportunity for social interaction with others, allowing them to connect and build relationships. In addition, those with this condition tend to have a more elevated emotional response to music. This June, 31 individuals with Williams syndrome were brought together in Nashville for a quintessential Music City experience.

From the very first day of camp, the joy among the campers was palpable. Kicking off the week was a karaoke night at Winners Bar and Grill, home of the showcase series Whiskey Jam. Campers performed their favorite tunes for one another and were joined by sister-duo Tigirlily Gold. Krista and Kendra of Tigirlily Gold performed their recent singles “Blonde” and “Shoot Tequila,” even joining a few campers onstage to sing some classic karaoke hits.

From left to right: Campers perform onstage at the Grand Ole Opry with Lauren Alaina; Taylor Wolf (ACM Lifting Lives Senior Manager) with camper; Tigirlily Gold with camper

The 14th Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp returned this summer, and if there was one takeaway from this year’s camp, it was the importance of connection

One of the camp’s staple activities is writing and recording an original song. Campers came in with their lyrical ideas, and Ross Copperman, who has worked with the camp for 10 years, came prepared with a stunning melody. Copperman shared that his inspiration came from how the camp makes him feel. The campers to him are like family and are so inviting, so why not write a song about that feeling — the feeling of being wrapped up in a hug, in friendship, in connection. As always, campers had open minds and fresh ideas to spice up the lyrics, and with the help of hit songwriter J.T. Harding and Country trio Restless Road, wrote “Wrap Me Up” in record time. Some of the standout lyrics include mentions of tacos, toes in the sand, llamas, and Dolce & Gabbana. Anyone who has heard the song will tell you it’s a real earworm.

Following the songwriting session, the campers made their way to Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carroll Jr. Children’s Hospital. The studio gives patients the chance to explore their creativity through journalism, new media, and television with programming ranging from game shows, dance parties, performances, and more all broadcast to each patient’s room. The campers brushed up on their on-air interview skills as they met with actor,

This page, clockwise from top: Campers with Ross Copperman and Restless Road after writing their song, "Wrap Me Up"; J.T. Harding high fives camper; Restless Road with campers during songwriting session; Ross Copperman with campers

singer, and songwriter Charles Esten, or as some may know him, “Deacon Clayborne.” Esten answered the campers’ questions about how he got his start in entertainment as well as offered advice about acting, singing, and writing. He also played some songs, including a couple favorites from the show Nashville.

The next stop for the campers was the historic Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios, where they met up with Copperman, Harding, and new friend Taryn Papa, to record “Wrap Me Up.” Taryn shared her experience as a musician and contestant on The Voice and gave some warm-up tips before the campers hit the vocal booth. Once the vocals were recorded, Copperman put the finishing touches on the track.

This page, clockwise from right: Lyndsay Cruz (ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director) with camper; Taryn Papa with camper; Ross Copperman with campers at Ocean Way Studios; J.T. Harding with campers; Campers after recording their song, "Wrap Me Up"; Charles Esten with campers at Seacrest Studios; Campers interview Charles Esten

Clockwise from top left: Campers at ACM HQ; Campers with Frank Ray at the Bluebird Cafe; Frank Ray performs for the campers; Campers onstage with Lauren Alaina at the Grand Ole Opry; Tigirlily Gold sings karaoke with camper; Campers pose at Winners Bar and Grill: Campers at Wildhorse Saloon; Madeline Merlo with camper; Campers pose in front of Let's Lift Lives sign at ACM HQ

Campers visited many other revered Nashville musical sites throughout the week, which is always a highlight for both new and returning campers. From line dancing at Wildhorse Saloon in matching cowboy hats with Madeline Merlo to a special show at the Bluebird Cafe with Frank Ray, and even a pizza party at the new ACM Headquarters in Wedgewood Houston featuring an intimate acoustic performance from Tiera Kennedy, campers were fully immersed in the Nashville music scene.

Year after year, the finale of camp is the Grand Ole Opry performance — the final bookend of an amazing week. After a glam session at Studio Gaven, campers made their way to the Opry, and even got to use the exclusive artists’ entrance. Following a private backstage tour, campers headed to the Opry’s iconic themed dressing rooms where they prepped for their big moment. After a quick visit and pep talk from Restless Road, campers took the stage with ACM Award winner Lauren Alaina who joined them for their debut performance of “Wrap Me Up.” The audience, which included the campers’ loved ones as well as friends and supporters from the Academy and the ACM Lifting Lives Board, were captivated and moved by the performance, as evident from the standing ovation. And the huge smiles on the campers’ faces indicated that they had felt it too. Following the performance, Alaina said it best, “Williams syndrome does not define them, and they can change the world. I think they changed every heart in that room, and I was lucky enough to stand on that stage and witness it.” ●

Watch the performance on the Academy’s YouTube channel.

ACM LIFTING LIVES PARTNERS WITH SENSE Theatre

Clockwise from bottom left: Campers rehearse with Caleb Lee Hutchinson; Joshua Liechty of Girl Named Tom and Ross Copperman interact with campers; Camper on stage performing Circus del Sé; Campers after rehearsing with Caleb Lee Hutchinson

BY BRITTANY UHNIAT

This summer, ACM Lifting Lives facilitated two camps in partnership with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Overlapping with ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp was the SENSE Theatre® ACM Lifting Lives 2023 Summer Camp, where 13 children with autism gathered in Nashville for a unique theatrical intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of those on the spectrum, culminating with the campers participating in a performance of Circus del Sé. This year, Ross Copperman, Girl Named Tom, and Caleb Lee Hutchinson supported the campers during their rehearsals as they prepared for their stage performances. The program provides a safe place to learn, explore, and practice important life skills for individuals with and without autism.

WE PROUDLY CONGRATULATE OUR CLIENT WINNERS ON THE 2023 ACM AWARDS

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

CHRIS STAPLETON

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

LAINEY WILSON

DUO OF THE YEAR

BROTHERS OSBORNE

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ZACH BRYAN

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“Bell Bottom Country”

LAINEY WILSON

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

“She Had Me At Heads Carolina”

COLE SWINDELL

SONG OF THE YEAR

“She Had Me At Heads Carolina”

COLE SWINDELL

THOMAS RHETT

VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR

“Wait In The Truck”

LAINEY WILSON

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR

“Wait In The Truck”

LAINEY WILSON

Star in the A Corn Making

Get to know Hailey Whitters, the reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year

BY LIBBY GARDNER

TEMPO: Congratulations on winning New Female Artist of the Year! What was going through your head when you first found out that you won?

WHITTERS: Man, so many emotions. Having been in town for 15 years, I really experienced some highs but also some real lows. I was just feeling so overwhelmed and so excited. I’ve been here a long time, and so it’s easy to feel like old news, but hearing that I won New Female Artist, it was so exciting and just so validating in a way that it’s a reminder that you’re on the right path and to keep going.

TEMPO: And you got to perform on the show, too. What was that experience like for you in comparison to other live performances?

WHITTERS: Oh, my gosh. It was so nuts. So nerve racking. I mean Chris Stapleton ain’t in the audience at my other shows. So, it was very, like an exciting scary, I guess. It’s just remembering you’re here for a reason, and just get out there, and do your thing.

TEMPO: Did you have a favorite moment from that week?

WHITTERS: Probably winning, and also running into Dolly Parton.

TEMPO: How was that?

WHITTERS: Well, she said three words to me, and I literally like cried because I just was so overwhelmed with emotion. I think just seeing her in the flesh and hearing her voice, it was just so cool, man. The whole week was just so special. I was just smiling like a false tooth salesman all week long. I just had this big sappy smile on my face. I just really felt really good.

TEMPO: I know you’ve always been an active part of the Academy, participating in ACM Party for a Cause® and other ancillary events. So, what does the ACM mean to you?

WHITTERS: Country Music, you know. It’s so special to get to celebrate Country Music and just its reach in all capacities.

TEMPO: Having been in Nashville for 15 years, there had to have been moments in that span of time where you wanted to give up and maybe wanted to try something new. What kept you going on the music path?

WHITTERS: I think the people around me. Even when I was broke, busted, and waiting tables, it was my publisher, Emily Schiraldi at Carnival, and my producer, Jake Gear, and my little core team at that time — it was the three of us making that record, The Dream — just knowing that they believed in me. And then just as my team has grown over the last few years, and I really feel supported by the people around me. They keep me motivated to keep going, and they believe in me even when I’ve forgotten how to believe in myself.

TEMPO: I know you are a songwriter yourself too. So, over the course of these 15 years, how do you think your songwriting has grown?

WHITTERS: I think it’s become more sure. I mean it’s not necessarily always profitable or at the top of the charts, but I definitely feel more sure in what I’m saying.

TEMPO: I know you were on tour with Shania, but what else do you have in store for the rest of the year?

WHITTERS: We are out with Dierks right now. We are going to go out with Eric Church later this summer. I’m thinking about dropping some new music soon. But yes, we are touring really hard this year, so we’re out just about every weekend and hoping to get some new music out soon. ●

PARKER DREW A Conversation with

Rising star Drew Parker talks about his Country Music journey and newly released EP, At The End Of The Dirt Road

TEMPO: What’s the Drew Parker story? How did you get your start in Country Music?

PARKER: I grew up singing gospel music, believe it or not, and I’ve pretty much been involved or played music my whole life. In 2008, when the economy crashed, the music I was playing, gospel music, kind of went away. So, I started playing open mics in my hometown, and that ultimately led me to a guy named Bradley Jordan who started putting me in the opening slots for national acts that he was booking. And one of those guys in particular was Luke Combs … he booked me on a Friday afternoon for $100 … It was about three hours from where I lived. I think it was anywhere from 40 to 60 people that bought a ticket that night. I met Luke and had no idea he would become one of my best friends in the world.

TEMPO: How did your friendship with Luke form?

PARKER : We met nine years ago now, and he was one of the first people to ever say, “Hey, you should come to Nashville to write songs.” So, I did that. We started writing songs, and the next thing I knew he was blowing up. And on his first tour, when he was doing college towns, he took me out. I would sell T-shirts. I would open the show acoustic. We would write songs during that time, and we all know how his career wound up. I was just fortunate that I was able to be there to watch it grow, learn from him, and get to write songs that he now sings in his live shows such as, “One Too Many” that he did with Brooks & Dunn, “Forever After All,” “Doin’ This,” on top of some other ones too. He’s been a great friend to me. Take all the music away, remove that from the equation, and we would still be super close boys.

TEMPO: You have an EP, At The End Of The Dirt Road, out. What is the vibe of this EP, and what are some of the storylines?

PARKER: This EP is something different than what people have heard from me. It’s more mature. I’ve become a dad since I last released an EP. It’s got songs on it that remind me of where I grew up and when I grew up, and songs that take me back to those places. I’ve been married to my wife now for seven years — there’s love songs on the EP, and I’ve never been the guy that really put out love songs. I’m great at writing beer-drinking songs and heartbreak songs, but there’s a love song on here called “My Baby Does” that I wrote that I’m just super excited about. What’s really cool about this EP is there are three songs on it that I did not write. I’ve written all my songs in the past, but there’s a songwriter side of me that really wanted to make sure that I wasn’t missing out on some of the best songs written in this town ... I fell upon three of those songs, one of them being “At the End of the Dirt Road,” which was written by my good friends Brock Berryhill, Jameson Rodgers, and Ben Hayslip, and another one being “I Love You Longer,” which was written by Mark Holman, Ben Hayslip, and Justin Wilson. There was another song that is, I think, over 10 years old, possibly 20, called “King Of

Country Music,” which was written by Marc Beeson and Allen Shamblin. That song, in particular, is so special to me because I met my wife for the first time the first night she ever stepped in a bar. We have been together pretty much ever since that night, and she has stood beside me when I didn’t have anything going on, but she believed in my dream as much as I believed in it and that’s exactly what that song is about ... So it’s got a little bit of everything. I just think it dove in deeper to my story of who I am.

TEMPO: When you’re looking for songs or writing your own songs, what sticks out to you or what makes a good song?

PARKER: For me, it’s just emotion. It’s something that first I can connect with, but something that I feel conviction to sing. And I think there’s a part of it where I get a song and the melody is incredible and the song is incredible, but I still may not connect with it completely. That doesn’t mean the song is not great. I’ve heard many great songs, and I think I’ve written great songs and that may be why some of those great songs haven’t been cut yet, you know. I think it’s a tiny thing, but it’s got to be something that just knocks my socks off the minute that I hear it.

TEMPO: I know you are joining Cody Johnson’s fall tour, and then you are going overseas with Luke Combs. What do those opportunities mean to you, and what are you looking forward to about the tours?

PARKER: Man, I mean they’re great. Cody is somebody that I look up to. He’s an incredible artist. I will venture to say that he’s the greatest entertainer in Country right now. He puts on the best live show that I’ve ever seen. Getting to go overseas to Europe with Luke Combs, that’s incredible. I’ve been to Canada before, but that’s as far out of the country as I’ve ever been. To go across the pond and play for fans that have never seen me live before, to see them face-to-face, play for them and continue to grow that fan base is super exciting, and getting to do it with some of my friends just makes it that much better.

TEMPO: What else are you looking forward to this year?

PARKER: Continuing to write. I’m hoping that maybe I can land some cuts outside of my artistry as a songwriter with other artists, and I’m working toward that every day. And then just getting out on the road, meeting the fans … I love watching people fall in love with my music and watching it slowly grow over time. ●

FROM THE RED BARREL LOUNGE

During their recent visits to ACM HQ in Nashville, we heard from some of Country Music’s brightest emerging artists

BY LIBBY GARDNER

RYAN GRIFFIN

Q: When did you get your start in Country Music?

GRIFFIN: I got my start when I was young. I kind of always knew I wanted to be a Country artist. And growing up, I listened to George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Brooks & Dunn. Ronnie Dunn’s voice was amazing. But I kind of started diving into Brian McKnight and R&B and just people that use their voice differently. I always knew that Country Music was the genre that I wanted to be in. The day that I realized that I needed to move to Nashville, I was driving down this quarter-mile driveway that we had with a 20-acre farm in Florida, and this song came on the radio. I literally put the car in park, turned the radio up, and closed my eyes. And I was like, “All right, I’m going to Nashville.” It was Keith Urban. It was “You’ll Think of Me.” Everything in that song just blended together — all of my influences together. I was like, “There’s a spot for me in Country Music.” So I went home after school that day, and I told mom and dad, “I’m moving to Nashville.”

Q: You have some new singles out. Tell us about “What I Live For” and “Heart to Break.”

TIGIRLILY GOLD

Q: You guys have a very special bond as sisters. What’s the dynamic like being a duo and sisters?

KENDRA: I think being in a duo with your sister honestly is the most magical thing ever because there’s that one person that fully knows what you’re going through when no one else does. And we get to laugh together. We get to experience the lows of the career together but also celebrate the highs. You just have a best friend with you 24/7. It’s really cool.

KRISTA: If Kendra’s having an off day, I’m like, “No, you can do it.” And I lift her up and vice versa. When I’m having a bad day, she lifts me up. So, it’s really nice having that person in your corner all the time.

Q: I have to ask about the name Tigirlily Gold. How did that come about?

KENDRA: Tigirlily Gold all stems back to North Dakota. We chose it when we were 14 and 16, so a long time ago. But the tiger lily flower was the first flower to grow in our parents’ backyard ... And we changed the spelling of it to “TiGIRLily” to showcase that female empowerment. Then we recently added “Gold,” and gold points back to the [North Dakota] wheat fields, the sunsets, the sunrises, the hair.

KRISTA: Stay gold!

GRIFFIN: We have been in the studio nonstop. We cut five songs, and it’s been amazing getting to experience that side of music with somebody so experienced like Jay DeMarcus from Rascal Flatts. And he’s just given me this extra boost of confidence. He’s a champion and really encouraging me to dive in a little bit deeper in my music.

"What I Live For” is a song that I wrote, and it was a song title that’s kind of been rattling around in my head for a while. And I just was thinking about like, “When I wake up in the morning, what do I live for?” I live for my wife and I live for my kids. Everybody has something that they live for ... I wanted to write that song, and I felt like everybody could connect to it in their own way.

And then, we have a song out called “Heart to Break,” and it’s the first song that I released that I actually didn’t write. My buddy Adam Hambrick wrote it, and I just connected with it instantly. I had never heard it said the way that he had written it: Just because you buy her a drink, don’t expect that she is going to want to sit there and talk to you. She might not have any more heart to break.

ANNIE BOSKO

Q: How did you get involved in Country Music?

BOSKO: The first singer I ever heard as a kid was Patsy Cline. My dad loves old school classic Country, so I was raised on that, and I fell in love with Shania Twain. I sang “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” at my eighth-grade talent show. And when I started writing songs, they were Country songs. So, I moved to Nashville when I was 19. I knew one person, and I drove here and was young and dumb enough to just go for it and came here and just started to hit the pavement. I showed up at writers’ nights to write with people and to sing on demos, which led to meeting people and eventually signing my first publishing deal.

Q: You performed “Dandelions” for us, which is one you recently wrote. It’s a beautiful song with a beautiful story. Can you tell us about it?

BOSKO: Thank you. You know, “Dandelions” was a really special song, and I can’t take much credit for it because I think there’s some days where, as a songwriter, you’re sort of a conduit to something bigger and God kind of whispers in your ear, “Do this or do that,” or it just sort of falls into place. We wrote it on the day of the shooting in Nashville, and it just felt wrong to write about anything other than that. We were working on another song ... I just was like, “I think we’ve got to write this.” And so, we wrote it that day. I have a little work tape of it that circulated. People started sending it to people, and it got to the Scruggs family. And I went, six days after I wrote it, to their home to sing it. They were doing a vigil every night for their daughter, and it was just so moving. Just the power of music is really unbelievable. And the Nashville community is amazing, seeing all the love and support.

IAN MUNSICK

Q: What’s the Ian Munsick story?

MUNSICK: I was born on a cattle ranch in northern Wyoming. My two older brothers and my dad also play music. So, from a young age, Country Music and Western music were a big part of my house. From the age of about 8 years old, I knew that I wanted to be a Country singer. I played with my brothers and my dad through high school, and then when I was 18, I moved to Nashville to pursue my dream here. Through the first few years here, I played for some other Country groups, and I’m just trying to find out how to become a Country artist because there’s no handbook on that. But eventually I met my wife, who is also my manager, Caroline. We teamed up, and she really enhanced everything about me — how I dress, my brand. I knew that I had a special perspective of Country Music growing up in Wyoming and growing up on a ranch because I think there needs to be more Western in Country Music. So that’s why I’m here, and that’s why I love to make music.

Q: What was the inspiration behind your recently released album, White Buffalo?

MUNSICK: The white buffalo in a lot of Native American cultures means good things coming or rebirth. Where I’m from in northern Wyoming, there’s a lot of Crow Native Americans and Sioux Native Americans. I went to school with a lot of them, played sports with a lot of them, and am friends with a lot of them. Their culture has a big influence on the culture of the West in general, and especially where I’m from. I think that it’s important for me to pay tribute to them and give Western culture, in general, a voice in Country Music. ●

18th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

Knott’s Berry Farm | May 9, 1983

Willie Nelson receives a standing ovation while accepting the ACM Award for Album of the Year for Always On My Mind.