- The 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards took place in Frisco, Texas.
- LeAnn Rimes delivered a stunning performance of her 1996 hit "Blue".
- Alan Jackson received the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award bearing his name.
- Jelly Roll and Shaboozey performed their gospel-country duet "Amen."
- Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each won four awards, with Wilson winning entertainer of the year.
The 60th annualAcademy of Country MusicAwards featured a jam-packed lineup of performances, touching moments and celebration.
Broadcasted live May 8 from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the ACMs honored the accomplishments of this year's biggest country stars.
In a ceremony hosted byReba McEntire, Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson both took home four awards, raking in the most accolades of the night.
Performances from LeAnn Rimes, Shaboozey and Jelly Roll stunned, and Alan Jackson took home a brand new award in his own name.
To learn more about the night's standout moments, read on.
LeAnn Rimes shines in epic opening performance
The night kicked off with a 12-minute number that featured some of the biggest names in country music, including Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, McEntire and Little Big Town.
Many of the artists hit the stage to sing tunes that have taken home an ACM Award, country classics like The Judds' "Why Not Me" and Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy."
But the most stirring moment of the opening number came when blue lights washed over the stage and country star LeAnn Rimes entered, looking like a vision in white and standing alongside a string quartet.
Rimes sang her 1996 song "Blue” as her stirring, fluttery vocals melded with the gentle strings.
The performance brought a goosebump-inducing intimacy to the stage, becoming the undoubtable highlight of the opening number.
Alan Jackson wins his own award
The Academy of Country Music Awards created a new Lifetime Achievement Award named in honor of its first recipient, Alan Jackson.
After a simple and sweet performance of his hit "Remember When," Jackson took to the mic and thanked everyone for the special honor.
"Usually one of my fans tells me they named their dog after me, and I thought that was really something," Jackson quipped.
"I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream and that all these years later I'm standing here receiving such an honor is mind blowing. I thank God all the time for all the people that have been a part of my life and career and maintain this all this time."
It was a special moment for a very deserving pioneer of country music.
Jelly Roll and Shaboozey deliver passionate gospel-country duet
In the middle of the show, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey delivered an energetic performance of their duet "Amen" alongside a dancing choir.
Donning all white, Shaboozey appeared on a circular secondary stage to kick off the pair's new song, which released on April 24.
A choir appeared behind the "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" singer. Clad in all black, the group danced and harmonized as Shaboozey joyfully belted the gospel-country track.
"Somebody say a prayer for me / 'Cause the pills ran out and I still can't sleep," he sang, with Jelly Roll joining him onstage.
"Somebody send a word upstairs / 'Cause the bar's shut down and I'm God knows where / So should knock on Heaven's door / 'Cause mine ain't working anymore."
And though the lyrics to the tune may have been tinged with sadness, Shaboozey and Jelly Roll delivered hardy, powerful vocals, beaming.
At the end, Jelly Roll began preaching to the audience with power in his voice and his hand raised in the air.
Ella Langley takes home 4 wins
The 26-year-old singer led the pack with eight nominations at this year's ACM Awards.
After taking home four wins, Langley's name is on top of everyone's mind.
Langley took home the honor for new female artist of the year, and music event, single and visual media of the year for her chart-topper with Riley Green, "You Look Like You Love Me."
As she accepted an award for the twangy, playful duet with talking verses and a catchy chorus, Langley addressed the crowd.
"First off I want to start off by thanking God," she said. "This is the thing I wanted to do my whole life, I never wanted to do anything else. And in dark times, I know that he has put this passion in my heart for a reason.
"Thank you to the fans for making this song what it is. I'm still flabbergasted. ... I'm on cloud nine tonight."
Throughout the evening, Langley took to the stage twice.
She performed alongside Miranda Lambert on the tune "Kerosene," which Lambert released 20 years ago.
And later in the evening, Langley hit the stage in a black leather getup and performed a rockin' version of her track "Weren't For The Wind."
Reigning entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson wins again
When country superstar Blake Shelton read the winner of entertainer of the year, he opened the envelope, looked into the crowd and said, "Lainey freaking Wilson."
Wilson took home the top award at the 2024 award show along with three other trophies this year.
A tearful Wilson accepted the award by saying she's learned when you are given something you need to accept it and appreciate it.
"I dreamed about entertaining," she said. "I love making people feel things. I love making people laugh and smile and cry. I'm sorry, but I love to make you cry.
"I love to feel things and country music has given me more than I deserve," she continued. "I appreciate everybody in this room. My heart is so full. God bless every single one of y'all. I don’t even know what else to say."
Contributing: Marcus K. Dowling
Audrey Gibbs and Melonee Hurt are music journalists The Tennessean. You can reach them at agibbs@tennessean.com and mhurt@tennessean.com.
