2023 ACM Honors Preview
The ACM Honors are happening on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, and I have your honoree preview.
In This Episode:
Carly Pearce returns for as host for the 16th annual event taking place in the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
How to get tickets for the ACM Honors.
My favorite past moments from the event.
Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and KT Oslin to be honored with Poet's Award.
Chris Stapleton is distinguished as a Triple Crown Winner.
Learn what accolades Breland, Kane Brown, and HARDY will receive.
Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform!
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Welcome to Across the Country with Amanda! On today’s episode I am talking about one of my favorite industry events of the year – the ACM Honors. We’ll talk about this year’s honorees including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Clint Black, Tim McGraw, and more.
Across the Country starts now!
I’ve seen a lot of magical moments in the historic Ryman Auditorium, and most of them have been during the ACM Honors.
This is a night where the Academy of Country Music presents all the awards you don’t see on TV – like the musician and songwriter categories.
What I love about this event is that it focuses on the music and the creators. It’s low-key, but with big moments. It’s cool to see big stars sitting in the pews in front of you and there’s so much good music.
Joe Diffie performed “The Grand Tour” one year and he received a standing ovation – I had the chance to talk with him about that performance and he said he was so nervous because he didn’t have his in-ear monitors, so he wasn’t sure how he did.
Barbara Mandrell, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristoffers, Alabama – I’ve seen them all recognized at the ACM Honors and it’s almost surreal to see these legends on the Ryman stage. You are witnessing history!
Will Hoges performing “Me and Bobby McGee,” Holly Williams with her rendition of Eric Church’s “Like Jesus Does,” and Deana Carter performing “Strawberry Wine” have been some of my favorite moments over the years.
This year looks like it will be full of can’t miss moments.
Carly Pearce is hosting for the third year in a row.
When Chris Stapleton won the ACM Entertainer of the Year earlier this spring, he became an ACM Triple Crown winner, which means he’s won Top New Artist, Top Male Artist, and Entertainer of the Year. Only a handful of artists have achieved this:
Mickey Gilley was the first, followed by Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, The Chicks, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Jason Aldean.
Tim McGraw will receive the Icon Award – it’s perfect timing because Tim will release his latest album the same week of the show.
Mike Dungan who was part of the start of Arista Records and then shaped the careers of many artists at Universal Music will also receive the Icon Award.
Kane Brown has been named the ACM International Award – with a world tour and continued streaming success, it’s a perfect fit.
Along with writing and singing on number one hits, Breland is doing so much good for the world. He is this year’s recipient of the ACM Lift Every Voice – a new award for this year– just recently Breland was invited by Derek Jeter to participate in one his charities. Breland has also hosted sold-out shows at the Ryman to give back to local Nashville charities.
Now – here is what I am most excited about the ACM Poet’s Award – this recognizes songwriters in the country music community and three of the best are being honored: Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and the very missed KT Oslin.
I was listening to Mary Chapin’s Come On, Come On album the other day – there are 7 top fifteen hits on that album. That’s incredible.
KT Oslin – She was a pioneer. Her writing appealed to so many people who could relate to her real-life struggles and triumphs. I am working on a podcast about her landmark This Woman album – it swept the ACMS back in the late 80s.
That brings us to Clint Black – Clint Black has never cut an outside song. Every song you hear in concert or on his albums – every one was written by him. Now, you can’t talk about Clint Black’s writing without mentioning his longtime writing partner Hayden Nichols. Together they’ve written some of country’s biggest chart toppers. I have an entire upcoming podcast dedicated to the biggest songwriters of the 90s – and I go all in on Clint Black’s dominance of the genre.
Charlie Daniels will receive the Spirit Award – this is awarded to an artist who blazes their own path. And Charlie Daniels exceeded that throughout his career.
Hardy will receive the Artist-Songwriter of the Year, while Ashley Gorley is being honored with the Songwriter of the Year Award.
Performers for the show will be announced very soon and of course I’ll share that on my website and socials. You can get tickets for this show – get them while you can – at AXS dot com. It’s going to be an unforgettable night in country music!
No word yet if this show will be televised – FOX aired it for the first time last year – would love to see it continue to air on tv.
Thanks for joining me for this episode! You can find all my latest interviews and news at across the country with Amanda dot com and follow along on social media!