From nominations and notes to performers and presenters, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about the 2018 ACM Awards on Sunday, April 15.
- Date: Sunday, April 15
- Time: 8p.m. ET/7p.m. CT
- Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
- TV Channel: CBS
- Online Stream: CBS All Access
- Host: Reba McEntire
- Announcers: Shawn Parr & Elaina Smith
- Performers: Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha, Miranda Lambert, Chris Janson, Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Jon Pardi, Dan + Shay, Toby Keith, Darius Rucker, Chris Young, Reba McEntire, Lauren Alaina, and Thomas Rhett
- Collaborations: Toby Keith and Blake Shelton; Alan Jackson and Jon Pardi; Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson; Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina; Keith Urban and Julia Michaels: Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha
- Presenters: Cam, Dustin Lynch, Sugarland, Kiefer Sutherland, Sam Elliott, Ashton Kutcher, David Boreanaz, AJ Buckley, Max Thieriot, Eve, Drew Brees, Nancy O’Dell, Rebecca Romijn and Lindsey Vonn
- Red Carpet Coverage: TBA
- Previously Announced Winners: Brett Young (New Male Vocalist of the Year), Lauren Alaina (New Female Vocalist of the Year) and Midland (New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year)
The Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Garth Brooks
- Luke Bryan
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Thomas Rhett
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
- Chris Young
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Reba McEntire
- Maren Morris
- Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Locash
- Florida Georgia Line
- Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Vocal Group of the Year
- Lady Antebellum
- LANCO
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Breaker – Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
California Sunrise – Jon Pardi
Producers: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
From A Room Vol. 1 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records
Happy Endings – Old Dominion
Producer: Shane McAnally
Record Label: RCA
Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“Better Man” – Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
“Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt
Producer: Zach Crowell
Record Label: MCA Nashville
“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records
“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Record Label: Big Machine Records
“I’ll Name The Dogs” – Blake Shelton
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros.
Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Publishers: Universal Music Corp./Sam Hunt Publishing, Highly Combustible Music/I Love Pizza Music,/Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing/Atlas Music Publishing, Anderson Fork In The Road Music/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC, Smack Hits
“Female” – Keith Urban
Songwriters: Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon and Shane McAnally
Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Rezolant Music/Plain Jane Songs, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./A Girl Named Charlie (BMI), Smack Hits/Smack Songs LLC (GMR)
“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert
Songwriters: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert Jon Randall
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Beat Up Ford Publishing (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI)/SWMBMGBMI/Lonesome Vinyl Music
“Whiskey And You” – Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Stapleton
Publishers: WB Music Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (BMI)
Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
“Black” – Dierks Bentley
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Max A. Butler
“It Ain’t My Fault” – Brothers Osborne
Director: Wes Edwards, Ryan Silver
Producer: Tiffany Davies
“Legends” – Kelsea Ballerini
Director: Jeff Venable
Producer: Ben Skipworth
“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy
Producer: Dan Atchison
“We Should Be Friends” – Miranda Lambert
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: April Dace
Songwriter of the Year
- Rhett Akins
- Ashley Gorley
- Hillary Lindsey
- Shane McAnally
- Josh Osborne
Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“Craving You” – Thomas Rhett Featuring Maren Morris
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris featuring Vince Gill
Producers: Brad Hill, Maren Morris
Record Label: Columbia Nashville
“Funny (How Time Slips Away)” – Glen Campbell And Willie Nelson
Producer: Carl Jackson
Record Label: Universal Music Enterprises
“The Fighter” – Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood
Producers: Busbee, Keith Urban
Record Label: Capitol Nashville
“What Ifs” – Kane Brown Featuring Lauren Alaina
Producer: Dann Huff
Record Label: RCA Nashville
