Inside a country music fever dream at the ACM Awards: A Blake Shelton cover, a facial hair epidemic and Keith Urban gossip
Yahoo • • general
Key Points:
- The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards showcased a significant shift in the genre, with women dominating the event, highlighted by Ella Langley winning seven awards including Song of the Year and Female Artist of the Year.
- Megan Moroney received the most nominations (nine) but did not attend the ceremony and did not win any awards.
- The ACMs function more like a concert with awards interspersed, featuring unique seating arrangements separating fans and industry professionals, and often displaying song lyrics during performances.
- The event featured enthusiastic fan interactions, notable performances, and celebrity moments, including Shania Twain hosting and Keith Urban’s memorable pool jump the night before.
- Behind-the-scenes observations revealed camaraderie among artists and special moments that made attending the event in person a unique experience.