2021 ACM Awards: The Winners List
Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton are the most-nominated artists at the 2021 ACM Awards — but will they take home the most trophies on Sunday night (April 18)?
Carly Pearce and Lee Brice, Kane Brown, Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen are already ACM winners this year, but there are still a number of categories to be announced live on CBS. Morris and Stapleton each received six ACM Awards nominations in 2021, while Miranda Lambert extended her record as the most-nominated woman in ACMs history with five new nominations.
The full list of 2021 ACM Awards nominees is below, and The Boot will update this story as winners are announced throughout the night.
After relocating from Las Vegas to Nashville in 2020 out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACM Awards are back in Music City in 2021. As showrunners did last year, they’re spreading this year’s event out across iconic venues (the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe), though a few performances will take place elsewhere. They’ll be following national, state and local guidelines related to the pandemic, as well as additional, self-imposed safety measures.
The 2021 ACM Awards will begin at 8PM ET and will air live on CBS and be available to stream on Paramount+. Sign up for the streaming service here.
Who Has the Most 2021 ACM Awards Nominations?
2021 ACM Awards: The Nominees List
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce
Male Artist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
The Cadillac Three
The Highwomen
New Female Artist of the Year
Ingrid Andress
Tenille Arts
Gabby Barrett — WINNER
Mickey Guyton
Caylee Hammack
New Male Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen — WINNER
Travis Denning
Hardy
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
Album of the Year
Born Here, Live Here, Die Here, Luke Bryan (Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens. Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville)
Mixtape Vol. 1, Kane Brown (Producers: Andrew Goldstein, Charlie Handsome, Dann Huff, Lindsay Rimes. Record Label: RCA Nashville)
Never Will, Ashley McBryde (Producer: Jay Joyce. Record Label: Warner Music Nashville)
Skeletons, Brothers Osborne (Producer: Jay Joyce. Record Label: EMI Records Nashville)
Starting Over, Chris Stapleton (Producers: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb. Record Label: Mercury Nashville)
Single of the Year
“Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert (Producer: Jay Joyce. Record Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville)
“I Hope,” Gabby Barrett (Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale. Record Label: Warner Music Nashville)
“I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice (Producers: Busbee. Record Label: Big Machine Records / Curb Records)
“More Hearts Than Mine,” Ingrid Andress (Producers: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis. Record Label: Warner Music Nashville)
“The Bones,” Maren Morris (Producer: Greg Kurstin. Record Label: Columbia Nashville)
Song of the Year
“Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert (Songwriter(s): Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby. Publishers: Emileon Songs; Little Louder Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs of Universal, INC; Sony ATV Tree Publishing; Wrucke for You Publishing)
“One Night Standards,” Ashley McBryde (Songwriter(s): Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally. Publishers: Canned Biscuit Songs; Smackworks Music; Smack Blue, LLC; Smackstreet Music; Tempo Investments; Warner Geo Met Ric Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp)
“Some People Do,” Old Dominion (Songwriter(s): Jesse Frasure, Matt Ramsey, Thomas Rhett, Shane McAnally. Publishers: Carrot Seed Songs; EMI Blackwood Music INC; Smackville Music; Songs of ROC Nation; Telemitry Rhythm House Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp; Smack Hits; Tempo Investments; Warner Gro Met Ric Music)
“Starting Over,” Chris Stapleton (Songwriter(s): Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson. Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Straight Six Music; WC Music Corp)
“The Bones,” Maren Morris (Songwriter(s): Jimmy Robbins, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz. Publishers: Big Machine Music, LLC; Extraordinary Alien Publishing; International Dog Music; Oh Denise Publishing; Round Hill Songs; Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Corp.)
Video of the Year
“Better Than We Found It,” Maren Morris (Director: Gabrielle Woodland. Producers: Sarah Kunin, Jennifer Pepke)
“Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert (Director: Trey Fanjoy. Producer: Heather Levenstone)
“Gone,” Dierks Bentley (Directors: Wes Edwards, Ed Pryor, Travis Nicholson, Running Bear and Sam Siske, with animation by Skylar Wilson. Producer: David Garcia)
“Hallelujah,” Carrie Underwood and John Legend (Director: Randee St. Nicholas. Producer: Greg Wells)
“Worldwide Beautiful,” Kane Brown (Director: Alex Alvga. Producer: Christen Pinkston) — WINNER
Music Event of the Year
“Be a Light,” Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban (Producer: Dann Huff. Record Label: The Valory Music Co.)
“Does to Me,” Luke Combs feat. Eric Church (Producer: Scott Moffatt. Record Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville)
“I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice (Producer: Busbee. Record Label: Big Machine Records / Curb Records) — WINNER
“Nobody But You,” Blake Shelton feat. Gwen Stefani (Producer: Scott Hendricks. Record Label: Warner Music Nashville)
“One Beer,” Hardy feat. Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson (Producers: Derek Wells, Joey Moi. Record Label: Big Loud Records)
“One Too Many,” Keith Urban and Pink (Producers: Cutfather, Dan McCarroll, Keith Urban, PhD. Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville.)
Songwriter of the Year
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
Peek Inside 2021 ACM Awards Rehearsals:
The 2021 ACM Awards will air live from Nashville on Sunday (April 18). In the days leading up to the big show, artists have been preparing for their performances and speaking with media members in Nashville.