Dolly Parton, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves & More Celebrated During Star-Studded 2026 ACM Honors
- All Country News
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Country music’s past, present, and future were all under one Nashville roof Wednesday night.
The 19th Academy of Country Music Honors, presented by TennPop, Seltzer of the South, took over The Pinnacle in Nashville on August 19, bringing together an all-star lineup to celebrate the artists, songwriters, industry trailblazers, and champions who continue to move country music forward.
Four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce returned for her sixth year as host, this time teaming up with three-time winner Parker McCollum for an evening packed with heartfelt tributes, surprise moments, country classics, and plenty of star power.
And with honorees including Dolly Parton, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Bill Anderson, Brett James, The Carter Family, C2C: Country to Country, Mike Curb, Leslie Fram, Scott Zolke, and Paramount+ hit series Landman, there was no shortage of country music history to celebrate.
Dolly Parton Gets Her Flowers, Country Style
Is there any better way to begin an ACM Honors celebration than with Dolly Parton?
Pearce and McCollum opened the show by honoring the country music icon and newly minted ACM Poet’s Award recipient, joining forces on Parton and Kenny Rogers’ timeless favorite “Islands in the Stream.” Pearce later teamed up with Kaitlin Butts and Carter Faith for a spirited rendition of “9 to 5.”
Parton accepted the prestigious honor through a video message, reflecting on the one constant that has fueled every chapter of her legendary career: songwriting.
“Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well they all started with a song,” Parton shared.
The 13-time ACM Award winner added that songwriting has served as her “therapy,” “release,” and “joy” throughout her life.
Honestly, could there be a more fitting award for Dolly?
The late Brett James and pioneering country group The Carter Family were also honored with the ACM Poet’s Award for their lasting impact on the genre through songwriting and storytelling.
James’ catalog speaks for itself. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member helped create hits for Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, and countless others, including co-writing Underwood’s career-defining “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Dierks Bentley delivered one of the night’s most emotional moments, performing “I Hold On” in tribute to his longtime friend before presenting James’ sons with the award.
“His friendship was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received,” Bentley shared before his performance.
The Carter Family’s groundbreaking legacy also received its moment in the spotlight, with Margo Price and Logan Ledger delivering a “Coal Miner’s Blues” and “Ring of Fire” medley.
Then came one of those only-in-country-music moments.
Legendary Brenda Lee appeared and got the room singing along to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” before members of the Carter family joined her for “Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By).”
Talk about a room full of history.
Eric Church Honored For Using Music To Make A Difference
Eric Church received the ACM Lifting Lives Award, recognizing not only his impact through music but also his continued commitment to helping communities in need.
Church was specifically celebrated for the work of his Chief Cares organization and his response following Hurricane Helene, which included co-organizing the Concert for Carolina alongside Luke Combs, donating royalties from “Darkest Hour,” and supporting long-term rebuilding efforts across North Carolina.
“I believe that God made music the universal language,” Church said while accepting the honor. “It is because of music that this happened, it’s changing people’s lives, it’s changing their kid’s lives.”
Before Church took the stage, Sheryl Crow put her own spin on his fan-favorite anthem “Drink in My Hand.”
Crow also praised Church for quietly giving back throughout his career without seeking recognition. “He’s a truly remarkable human being, and I’m so proud to call him a friend,” she shared.
Kacey Musgraves’ Fearless Career Earns ACM Spirit Award
From “Merry Go ’Round” to Golden Hour and beyond, Kacey Musgraves has never been afraid to follow her own creative compass.
That individuality was celebrated when the eight-time GRAMMY winner and seven-time ACM Award recipient received the ACM Spirit Award, an honor inspired by Merle Haggard and given to artists who display a similar devotion to storytelling and country music.
Carter Faith handled tribute duties, delivering a stirring performance of Musgraves’ breakthrough hit “Merry Go ’Round.”
Ella Langley’s Massive Year Keeps Getting Bigger
If there was any question that Ella Langley is having herself a moment, consider this another exclamation point.
Following an ACM Awards cycle in which she led all artists with seven wins, Langley was celebrated as ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
She was unable to attend, but Avery Anna, Kaitlin Butts, and Gabriella Rose made sure her music was heard loud and clear, teaming up for a showstopping medley of “weren’t for the wind,” “Choosin’ Texas,” and “Be Her.”
The trio also shared Langley’s acceptance message with the crowd.
“Being recognized as both an artist and a songwriter means so much to me,” Langley said. “Songwriting has always been at the heart of who I am, and getting to take those songs from the writing room to the stage every night is something I’ll never take for granted.”
Meanwhile, Jessie Jo Dillon continued her incredible Nashville run by earning ACM Songwriter of the Year for the third consecutive year.
Megan Moroney, whose own catalog includes plenty of Dillon’s fingerprints, performed “Beautiful Things” before presenting Dillon with the honor.
“Jessie Jo’s touch and heart is all over my discography and I feel so lucky to have her in my orbit,” Moroney shared.
Bill Anderson And Mike Curb Cement Their Icon Status
Two country music heavyweights officially added ACM Icon honors to their already remarkable résumés.
“Whisperin’ Bill” Bill Anderson received the ACM Icon Award after more than six decades of contributions as a recording artist, songwriter, Grand Ole Opry member, author, and broadcaster.
Anderson’s songwriting credits alone include classics such as “City Lights,” “Whiskey Lullaby,” “Give It Away,” and “A Lot of Things Different.”
“I wouldn't take anything for these 65-plus years, journeying through the world of country music among you and alongside you,” Anderson told the crowd. “This is the cherry on top of the sundae.”
Record executive, producer, songwriter, philanthropist, and Curb Records founder Mike Curb also received the ACM Icon Award. Dylan Scott helped celebrate Curb with a mashup that connected generations, blending Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take the Girl” with his own hit “My Girl.”
‘Landman’ Brings Country Music To The Small Screen
The country-heavy soundtrack of Landman earned some recognition of its own.
The Paramount+ series received the ACM Film Award, celebrating its prominent use of country music throughout the hit show.
Created by Taylor Sheridan and starring Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Sam Elliott, Jacob Lofland, and Demi Moore, Landman has featured music from artists including George Strait, Tyler Childers, Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Flatland Cavalry, Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Luke Grimes, and Zach Bryan.
Gavin Adcock performed “Winner at Losing,” while Mark Collie and Flatland Cavalry teamed up for “Midland After Midnight” as part of the night’s Landman celebration.
Country Music’s Global Reach Gets Its Due
Across the pond, C2C: Country to Country was recognized with the ACM International Award for helping grow country music far beyond its American roots.
The festival has become a major destination for European country fans, bringing some of Nashville’s biggest names to audiences in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Berlin, Rotterdam, and beyond.
McCollum saluted C2C from the stage with a performance of “Solid Country Gold.”
Trisha Yearwood Celebrates Leslie Fram’s Lasting Impact
Longtime music industry leader Leslie Fram received the ACM Lift Every Voice Award for her efforts to create opportunities for women, emerging performers, and underrepresented voices throughout country music.
Trisha Yearwood performed “Every Girl in This Town” before presenting Fram with the honor, a song Yearwood said Fram personally chose for the occasion.
“This is the perfect theme song for Leslie, because she’s always been a champion for women,” Yearwood explained. “It’s her passion, it’s her legacy.”
Entertainment attorney Scott Zolke was also recognized during the ceremony,
receiving the ACM Service Award for his longtime work supporting the Academy and the broader entertainment industry.
Big Kenny welcomed Zolke to the spotlight with an appropriately rowdy rendition of “I Fought the Law.”
One More Song To Close The Night
The performances kept coming throughout the celebration, with Pearce also tackling the emotional classic “Whiskey Lullaby” and a lineup that included everyone from established superstars to some of country music’s fastest-rising names.
The evening additionally celebrated the ACM Studio Recording and Industry Award winners from the 61st ACM Awards cycle, with Zach John King hosting that portion of the presentation.
And when all the honors had been handed out, King put the final stamp on the night, taking the stage to close the celebration with a performance of “Get To Drinkin’.”
From legends like Dolly Parton, Bill Anderson, and The Carter Family to current hitmakers Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Ella Langley, and Megan Moroney, the 2026 ACM Honors offered a fitting reminder of just how wide country music’s circle has become.
Different generations. Different sounds. Different stories. But for one night in Nashville, they all shared the same stage.
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