Lainey Wilson, Alan Jackson Dominate 2025 ACM Awards/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Lainey Wilson ruled the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, winning Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist, and Album of the Year. The show also honored Alan Jackson with the first-ever ACM Lifetime Achievement Award. The event celebrated both rising stars and legends through standout performances and tributes.
2025 ACM Awards Highlights Quick Looks
- Lainey Wilson wins Entertainer of the Year for second straight year.
- Wilson also claims Female Artist and Album of the Year honors.
- Alan Jackson receives inaugural ACM Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Ella Langley and Riley Green win Single and Music Event of the Year.
- Opening medley spans six decades of country classics.
- Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna Judd and more perform genre staples.
- Chris Stapleton named Male Artist of the Year.
- Old Dominion wins Group of the Year, awarded by The Oak Ridge Boys.
- Keith Urban receives Triple Crown Award, celebrated on stage.
- ACM Awards streamed on Prime Video and Twitch, free to all viewers.
Lainey Wilson, Alan Jackson Dominate 2025 ACM Awards
Deep Look
Lainey Wilson Dominates 2025 ACM Awards as Alan Jackson Receives Historic Honor
NEW YORK — Lainey Wilson proved once again that she’s country music’s reigning queen, taking home the Entertainer of the Year award for the second consecutive year at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, held Thursday night at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Wilson’s triumph didn’t stop there—she also claimed Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, further cementing her dominance on one of country music’s biggest nights.
“I really do have the best fans in the world,” Wilson said during her final acceptance speech, candidly opening up about battling impostor syndrome. “Country music has given me more than I deserve.”
A Night Celebrating Past and Present
The 2025 ACM Awards struck a powerful balance between honoring legends and spotlighting new talent. Ella Langley and Riley Green won Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year for their hit duet You Look Like You Love Me, using their acceptance speech to pay homage to classic country storytelling.
Kicking off the show was a 14-minute medley celebrating 60 years of country hits, headlined by host Reba McEntire, who opened with Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee.” She was followed by Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, and Dan + Shay—each performing era-defining songs in a tribute to the genre’s evolution.
Alan Jackson Honored With New Lifetime Achievement Award
One of the most moving moments of the night was the introduction of the ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award, which fittingly went to the man himself. After performing his timeless ballad “Remember When,” Jackson accepted the honor with humor and humility.
“I’ve had dogs named after me, but an award? That’s something else,” he joked.
Star-Studded Performances All Night Long
The show featured a packed lineup of performances that reflected country’s rich diversity of sound:
- Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert debuted their new female-empowerment anthem Trailblazer.
- Chris Stapleton performed his new track It Takes a Woman with his wife Morgane.
- Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini, Zach Top, and Blake Shelton took turns showcasing brand-new singles.
- Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley teamed up for a fiery rendition of Kerosene.
- Brooks & Dunn joined Cody Johnson for Red Dirt Road following his win for Song of the Year with Dirt Cheap.
- Jelly Roll and Shaboozey brought high energy to their collaboration Amen, with Jelly Roll noting it was Shaboozey’s birthday.
Closing out the evening were two powerhouse acts—Backstreet Boys and Rascal Flatts—uniting pop and country for a high-energy finale.
More Major Wins and Emotional Tributes
- Chris Stapleton was named Male Artist of the Year, adding another win to his storied career.
- Old Dominion received Group of the Year, with the honor presented by The Oak Ridge Boys, who paid tribute to the late Joe Bonsall.
- Brooks & Dunn claimed Duo of the Year, continuing their iconic legacy.
- Keith Urban received the rare Triple Crown Award, given to artists who have won New Artist, Male/Female Artist, and Entertainer of the Year. The moment marked the first on-stage Triple Crown presentation since Carrie Underwood in 2010.
- Reba McEntire led the crowd in a heartfelt sing-along of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” honoring the late country great.
A Fitting Celebration of 60 Years
The 2025 ACM Awards reminded fans that country music thrives by honoring its past while championing the future. The evening offered a powerful blend of nostalgia and fresh energy—anchored by Lainey Wilson’s meteoric rise and Alan Jackson’s enduring legacy.
The show streamed live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, with no Prime membership required—making the celebration accessible to all.
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