Jason Aldean, FGL, Miranda Lambert score big at ACM Awards


Florida Georgia Line, joined by the Backstreet Boys, got the Academy of Country Music Awards audience dancing on its feet at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday night, but Jason Aldean won the top award, entertainer of the year, for the second year in a row. Unlike Keith Urban — seven nominations, zero wins — FGL did not go home empty-handed, though: The group won single of the year for their song "H.O.L.Y." and music event of the year. Miranda Lambert also won two awards: album of the year (The Weight of These Wings) and female vocalist of the year. Male vocalists of the year award went to Thomas Rhett, who also won song of the year for "Die a Happy Man," while Little Big Town won vocal group of the year.
The music video of the year did not go to a single artist or song but to the video "Forever Country," a glossy medley featuring many of the award's performers plus Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and other country luminaries old and young to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Country Music Association Awards. It starts out with "Country Roads," by folk-pop star John Denver:
The ACM Awards also had a tribute to Chuck Berry, the rock 'n' roll legend who died last month, "for the man that influenced every form of music, including country," as Luke Bryan said before he, Dierks Bentley, and Joe Walsh performed "Johnny B. Goode."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden expected to block Japanese bid for US Steel
Speed Read The president is blocking the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published