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Reba McEntire hosts the 60th annual Academy of Country Music awards from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Ella Langley is the most nominated artist of the night with eight nods, followed by Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson with seven ACM nominations each.
Covered by: Tracy Wright and Lori Bashian
Reba McEntire returns for the 18th time as host of the 60th annual ACM Awards.
The ACMs will be telecast live on Thursday, May 16, from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Ella Langley leads nominations with eight nods.
Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson each have seven nominations.
Luke Combs vies for coveted ACMs Triple Crown Award.
The ACMs begin at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CDT / 5 p.m. PDT. The 60th annual Academy of Country Music awards is available to stream for free on Prime Video.
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Jelly Roll 2025 ACM Awards (Getty Images)
Jelly Roll spoke about his weight loss journey while walking the red carpet at the 2025 ACM Awards. The country star recently revealed he’d lost nearly 200 pounds since December 2022.
While speaking with Fox News Digital, the country star gave some advice for anyone struggling with the same “addiction” he is.
“It’s going really good,” he said. “I haven’t talked to many people about this…but food man. If you’re really battling obesity, you’ve got to, it starts at the dinner table. The walking is great, all the other stuff is great, but you’ve got to fight that addiction at the dinner table.”
In an interview in April on the „Big Night Aht“ live show, Jelly Roll shared he was 540 pounds at the start of his weight loss journey, and when he weighed himself that morning he down to 357 pounds.
The star has a lot to celebrate tonight as he is nominated for many awards, including the coveted entertainer of the year award.
Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this file.
Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes (Getty Images)
The 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards kicked off with a tribute to a few of the best hits from the last six decades.
ACM Awards host Reba McEntire welcomed the crowd at The Frisco in Texas by singing a Merle Haggard song before welcoming Clint Black on stage to sing „Rhinestone Cowboy.“
Wynonna Judd sang „Why Not Me,“ by The Judds before handing over the mic to LeAnn Rimes who sang a moving rendition of her 1997 hit, „Blue.“
Little Big Town sang „Girl Crush,“ while Dan + Shay belted out „Tequila.“
McEntire, who is hosting the show for the 18th time, has a discography spans 32 studio albums, 26 compilation albums and two live albums.
She’s taken home 16 ACM Awards, 14 American Music Awards, three Grammy Awards and more, as many have dubbed her „the Queen of Country.“
Megan Moroney and Post Malone (Getty Images)
Newcomers in the album of the year category include Megan Moroney and Post Malone, who has successfully crossed over into country music.
Moroney is nominated for her sophomore album, “Am I Okay?,” while Post Malone is nominated for his first country album, “F-1 Trillion.”
Until recently, Post Malone was known primarily as a rapper, with two album of the year nominations at the Grammy Awards for his hip-hop and pop music.
Post Malone showed interest in country music early in his career, having performed acoustic versions of Merle Haggard’s song “The Bottle Let Me Down,” while on a SIRIUSXM radio show in 2018.
He later collaborated with Morgan Wallen on the hit song, “I Had Some Help,” and was featured on Beyonce’s country album, “Cowboy Carter,” before releasing his own.
Maroney started her career as a country artist, with the release of her first album, “Lucky,” in May 2023, and won the award for new female vocalist of the year in 2024.
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
Brian Kelley, wife Brittney Marie Kelley (Getty Images)
Country star Brian Kelley called the songs and artists being honored during the “Songs of the Decade” opening number “the needle movers” of country music, saying those artists bring a different energy when they come to town on their tours.
One of those artists, is Keith Urban, who Kelley is “very proud of” heading into the award show.
“Keith Urban [is] being awarded tonight, the Triple Crown, that’s a big deal. Very proud of him, excited for him,” Kelley said, before adding that he’s “excited to see Alan Jackson tonight. Gosh that makes me happy.”
The Triple Crown Award goes to the artist who has won awards in the three big categories; Male/female artist of the year, new male/female artist of the year and entertainer of the year.
Kelley walked the Academy of Country Music Awards red carpet with his wife, Brittney Marie, who said, “every night’s a date night.” The country star added that tonight is a “big date night,” going on to compliment his wife, saying “she looks absolutely stunning.”
Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this file
Jessie Murph (Getty Images)
Jessie Murph walked the red carpet at the 2025 ACM Awards with an unusual guest.
Murph, who was nominated for new female artist of the year, carried a baby pig in her arms before heading into The Star in Frisco, Texas.
„This is my date, Wilbur. He’s from Texas,“ she told Fox News Digital.
„He’s about a year old. Me and Wilbur are best friends.“
The „Wild Ones“ singer, who found fame on TikTok before breaking into the country music world, also gave insight into collaborating with Jelly Roll.
„He’s always speaking positive, good things into the world,“ Murph said of Jelly Roll’s presence.
She said that the „Save Me“ singer simply „radiates gratitude. He’s just a good person, and I love that.“
Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this report.
Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Nicole Kidman (Getty Images)
The women of country music arrived in style for the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
Lainey Wilson sported her signature wide-brimmed cowboy hat to match a glittering black jumpsuit as she walked the red carpet at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
The „Heart Like a Truck“ singer will leave a winner even before the show begins. Wilson earned the artist-songwriter of the year award earlier today.
Carly Pearce simply stunned wearing a sparkling silver gown with a halter neckline.
Nicole Kidman opted for an edgy black leather ensemble as she walked alongside her country musician husband, Keith Urban.
In addition to singing, Reba McEntire is set to host the show for the 18th time.
McEntire’s discography spans 32 studio albums, 26 compilation albums and two live albums. She’s taken home 16 ACM Awards, 14 American Music Awards, three Grammy Awards and more, as many have dubbed her „the Queen of Country.“
Kelsea Ballerini (Getty Images)
The nominees for this year’s female artist of the year include Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney.
Wilson is the only artist nominated in the category this year who has taken home the award in the past, having won in both 2023 and 2024.
In addition to her nomination in the category, she is also nominated for entertainer of the year, also alongside Ballerini.
All five nominees have received nominations in the category in the past, except for Langley, who released her debut album “hungover,” in August 2024.
While the other four nominees are going into the night unsure of what’s to come, Langley already knows she’s going home a winner, having already been told she won the award for new female artist of the year this year.
Moroney received her first female artist of the year nomination in 2024, the same year she won the award for new female artist of the year.
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian
LeAnn Rimes celebrated love at the 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday.
Rimes, 42, walked the red carpet at The Star in Frisco, Texas with her husband of 14 years, Eddie Cibrian.
The „Blue“ singer admitted their relationship has stayed strong thanks to respect, and a little dose of humor.
„We love each other, we respect each other, we laugh a lot,“ Rimes told Fox News Digital. „We can be stupid together, that’s the best part.“
Rimes continued, „Just being able to be ourselves together… he’s so supportive of everything I do and vice versa. We’re very, very lucky.“
Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this report.
Eli Young Band ACM Awards 2025 (Getty Images)
The Eli Young Band spoke with Fox News Digital while on the red carpet at the 2025 ACM Awards, where they explained why they’re so excited for the “Songs of the Decade” segment.
The 12-minute opening act will feature a medley of ACM song of the year winning songs from the past six decades, sung by some of country music’s biggest stars.
“This is the perfect time for celebrating 90s country,“ the band told Fox News Digital. „I think that so much of that is in the music, and that’s what we grew up on, is 90s country, and you know every time I hear one of the songs, it kind of brings you back to your childhood and its almost like it brings you back to that moment you were in when you first heard it.
„Pick any Garth Brooks song, or Clint Black or any of those, George Strait, it take you back to a moment, so I think a lot of that is what we’re gonna see tonight.”
Some of the performers taking the stage as part of the medley include Wynonna Judd, Leanne Rimes, Reba McEntire, Dan + Shay and Clint Black, as well as others.
Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this report.
Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton (Getty Images)
The performers at this year’s ACM Awards include some of country music’s biggest names, who promise to put on a great show.
The powerhouse performers include fan favorites, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and Alan Jackson, with Shelton expected to sing his latest single, “Texas.”
Also taking the stage is the most nominated artist of the evening, Ella Langley, who is walking into the award show as a winner already, having been announced as the 2025 new female artist of the year.
The winner for new male artist of the year, Zach Top, is also taking the stage at the award show, alongside other nominees, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Kelsea Ballerini and Lainey Wilson, who won entertainer of the year at last year’s show.
Also taking the stage to perform is the night’s host, Reba McEntire , who will take part in the 12-minute medley called, “Songs of the Decade,” which will feature ACM song of the year winners from the past six decades.
Joining her during the medley will be Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland.
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
Reba McEntire ACM Awards (Getty Images)
Country music legend, Reba McEntire, is set to host the 2025 ACM Awards, marking her 18th time hosting the show.
The “Fancy” singer first hosted the show in 1986, alongside John Scheider and Mac Davis.
“Reba McEntire has hosted more ACM Awards shows than any other artist in history, and after her triumphant return this year for the 59th show, there is clearly no one better suited to helm this milestone show,” Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside said in July 2024 press release.
The “Happy’s Place” star has not only hosted the show 17 times, she has also won 16 ACM Awards and has been nominated for entertainer of the year nine times, even winning the award in 1994.
“I’m thrilled to be coming back to host the 60th ACM Awards on Prime Video,” McEntire said in a July 2024 press release.
“It’s going to be an absolute can’t miss show and I can’t wait to see everybody back in Texas!”
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
Morgan Wallen (Getty Images)
Winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards are selected through a vote conducted by voting members of the Academy.
The eligibility period for the 2025 ACM Awards is January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Depending on the category, Academy members are instructed to consider several different factors.
For example, the voting criteria for the entertainer of the year award on the ACM website cites “factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, consumption, success of music videos, vocal performances, live concert ticket sales, artistic merit, appearances on television, appearances in films, songwriting, success in digital media, and contributions to the country music industry.”
The first round of voting took place from February 10-18, 2025 and the second round took place a month later from March 10-17, 2025.
The final round began on March 31, 2025, and ended on April 7. All ACM Awards nominations are subject to the approval of the Board.
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
Luke Combs 2025 Grammys (Getty Images)
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards is set to take place in Frisco, Texas, and will stream live on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Music Channel at 8:00 p.m. ET.
This year’s host will be Reba McEntire, who is returning as a host for the 18th time, having first hosted the show in 1986 alongside John Scheider and Mac Davis.
Country music’s brightest stars are up for the night’s biggest awards, including entertainer of the year, female and male artist of the year, album of the year and others.
Not only has Ella Langley already won the award for new female artist of the year, she also has the most nominations this year, with eight total.
Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson and Lainey Wilson are tied for second with seven nominations, and Chris Stapleton comes in third with six nominations.
All except Langley are also up against each other for the coveted entertainer of the year award, alongside Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini and Jelly Roll.
Many of the nominees will also be taking the stage at the show, including Wilson, Jelly Roll, Langley and Stapleton. Joining them will be Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Blake Shelton and others.
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
Morgan Wallen, Reba McEntire and Jelly Roll (Getty Images)
The Academy of Country Music Awards is celebrating its 60th anniversary of the award show this year, becoming the longest-running country music award show in history.
The historic show is set to stream live on Amazon Prime Video and on the Amazon Music Channel on Thursday, May 8, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Country music’s biggest stars will gather at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas to celebrate the night’s big winners and watch the amazing performances.
The Academy of Country Music was first formed in 1964 to promote country music in the west coast, with the first award show taking place in 1966.
Six years later, the show was broadcast for the first time on ABC. The show bounced around to different networks, moving to NBC and then CBS, before finding a home on Amazon Prime Video.
In the early days of the award show, the event took place in Los Angeles, before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Frisco, Texas.
Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.