Much like the entirety of 2020, Wednesday night's ACM Awards looked a little different this year. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there was no ambient noise or applause from a live audience and performances came from three different venues -- the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe.
For the first time in ACM history, there was a tie for Entertainer of the Year withThomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood sharing the honor. Thomas also took Video of the Year prior to the telecast for “Remember You Young.”
The night's other big winners were Luke Combs and Old Dominion, who each scored two awards.
Host Keith Urban kicked off the show with a bang. All five of the Entertainer of the Year performers sang an abbreviated version of an early hit in medley style.
Carrie Underwood celebrated the 95th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry by performing a medley of classic hits from some of the queens of the Opry, including Patsy Cline,Loretta Lynn,Barbara Mandrell,Dolly Parton,Reba McEntire and Martina McBride.
Runaway June recognized the ACM’s life changing "Lifting Lives" program, while Luke Combs shared the great work that Ford is doing with "Guitars for Vets" for veterans coping with PTSD.
As closing credits rolled,Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” played as a homage to better days ahead.
WINNERS:
- Entertainer of the Year: (tie)Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood
- Female Artist of the Year:Maren Morris
- Male Artist of the Year:Luke Combs
- Album of the Year:What You See Is What You Get–Luke Combs
- Single of the Year: “God’s Country” –Blake Shelton
- Group of the Year:Old Dominion
- Song of the Year: “One Man Band” –Old Dominion
- Duo of the Year:Dan + Shay
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED WINNERS:
- New Female Artist of the Year:Tenille Townes
- New Male Artist of the Year:Riley Green
- Video of the Year: “Remember You Young” –Thomas Rhett
- Musical Event of the Year: “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” –Miranda Lambert,Maren Morris,Ashley McBryde,Tenille Townes,Caylee HammackandElle King
- Songwriter of the Year:Hillary Lindsey