KEYPOINTS SUMMARY
- Lainey Wilson wins Entertainer of the Year at 2025 ACM Awards
- Also takes home Album of the Year, Female Artist, and Artist-Songwriter
- Ella Langley shines with 2 major wins, including Single of the Year
- Chris Stapleton repeats as Male Artist of the Year
- Cody Johnson wins Song of the Year for “Dirt Cheap”
- Brooks & Dunn return to win Duo of the Year
- Old Dominion extends Group of the Year streak to 8 years
- Full winners list included—plus bold moments from the show
Lainey Wilson Wins Entertainer of the Year—Country’s Queen Reigns Again
It’s official—Lainey Wilson is unstoppable.
In a night bursting with glitter, guitars, and jaw-dropping moments, the 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards belonged to one woman: Lainey Wilson.
The Louisiana powerhouse took home Entertainer of the Year, the show’s biggest and boldest honor, becoming one of the few female artists to ever claim the title.
“The girls are kickin’ down some barn doors—and I like it!” Wilson said onstage, barely able to contain her excitement.
Lainey’s Big Night: 4 Wins That Shook the Industry
Winning Entertainer of the Year alone is a career-defining moment.
But Lainey wasn’t done.
She also swept:
- Female Artist of the Year
- Album of the Year for Whirlwind
- Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Her acceptance speeches were a mix of tears, twang, and trailblazing energy.
“This ain’t just about me,” she said. “It’s about every little girl who’s ever sung into a hairbrush and believed it could be her.”
Ella Langley Rises: The Night’s New Star
Ella Langley, the top nominee heading into the show with 8 nominations, did not leave empty-handed.
She won:
- New Female Artist of the Year
- Single of the Year (shared with Riley Green) for You Look Like You Love Me
And if that wasn’t enough? The visual media team behind the music video won big, too.
Langley’s duet with Green turned heads all night—and her performance had critics calling her “the next big thing.”
Chris Stapleton Holds the Crown—Again
No surprises here: Chris Stapleton walked away with Male Artist of the Year for what feels like the 100th time (okay, maybe not that many—but close!).
He also snagged credit as a producer on several other winning tracks, proving once again that Stapleton = country royalty.
“We’ve been blessed,” he said humbly. “And we’re just getting started.”
Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” Wins Song of the Year
The first award of the night hit hard—Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” took Song of the Year, with special recognition going to songwriter Josh Phillips, who wrote the entire thing solo.
In a world of co-writing rooms and 10-person credits, Phillips stood out.
“I wrote this one alone, in a hotel room,” Phillips said, holding back tears. “I never thought it’d end up here.”
Brooks & Dunn Return to Glory as Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn fans, rejoice—your favorite country duo is back on top.
After years out of the winners’ circle, the legends reclaimed Duo of the Year, edging out younger acts like Dan + Shay and Brothers Osborne.
The crowd gave them a standing ovation before they even made it to the mic.
“This one’s for the day-ones,” Kix Brooks said. “We ain’t done yet.”
Old Dominion: Group of the Year—AGAIN
For the eighth year in a row, Old Dominion claimed Group of the Year, cementing their status as country’s most consistent supergroup.
Despite heavy competition from Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and newcomers The Red Clay Strays, the reigning champs held their ground.
Other Major Winners—Surprises and Sure Things
Here’s a quick look at the rest of the major moments:
- Zach Top won New Male Artist of the Year, solidifying his place as country’s next rising star
- The Red Clay Strays took New Duo or Group of the Year in a major upset
- Jessie Jo Dillon won Songwriter of the Year, shocking many who expected Ashley Gorley to win again
- “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green swept both Single and Visual Media of the Year
Lainey’s Album “Whirlwind” Is the Soundtrack of the Year
Winning Album of the Year was no fluke.
Whirlwind, produced by Jay Joyce and released under BMG Nashville, has been critically acclaimed, commercially successful, and a fan favorite since day one.
Its themes of resilience, heartbreak, small-town roots, and Southern grit hit home in a way few albums do anymore.
“This album changed me,” Lainey said. “It’s got pieces of my heart in every line.”
What’s Next for Country’s New Queen?
After last night, Lainey Wilson’s career isn’t just on fire—it’s blazing.
She’s already announced a nationwide stadium tour, hinted at a documentary, and is rumored to be collaborating with a major pop star for a crossover single.
Could she be country’s first global female superstar since Taylor Swift?
Don’t bet against her.
Lainey Wilson Wins Entertainer of the Year and More—The ACMs Belong to Her
Let’s be real: Lainey Wilson wins Entertainer of the Year is the headline—but the whole night belonged to the women of country music.
Lainey smashed expectations.
Ella Langley rose.
Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, and even Kacey Musgraves dazzled the red carpet.
This wasn’t just a night of wins—it was a night of statement-making country power.
“We’re not just playing the game anymore,” Lainey said. “We’re rewriting the whole dang thing.”
Here are the full Lists of all Winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson – WINNER
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson – WINNER
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton – WINNER
- Morgan Wallen
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn – WINNER
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- The War And Treaty
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Flatland Cavalry
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion – WINNER
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kassi Ashton
- Ashley Cooke
- Dasha
- Ella Langley – WINNER
- Jessie Murph
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Gavin Adcock
- Shaboozey
- Zach Top – WINNER
- Tucker Wetmore
- Bailey Zimmerman
And NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Restless Road
- The Red Clay Strays – WINNER
- Treaty Oak Revival
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- “Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine)” – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Columbia Records / Sony Music Nashville - “Beautifully Broken” – Jelly Roll
Producers: BazeXX, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Devin Dawson, Charlie Handsome, Ben Johnson, mgk, The Monsters & Strangerz, Austin Nivarel, SlimXX, Ryan Tedder, Isaiah Tejada, Alysa Vanderheym
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Republic Records - “Cold Beer & Country Music” – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33 - “F-1 Trillion” – Post Malone
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records - “Whirlwind” – Lainey Wilson – WINNER
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry
Record Company-Label: American Dogwood / EMPIRE - “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville - “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records - “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton
Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville - “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley, Riley Green – WINNER
Producer: Will Bundy
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
- “4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
Publishers: Louisiana Lady; One Tooth Productions; Reservoir 416; Songs of One Riot Music; Sony/ATV Accent - “The Architect” – Kacey Musgraves
Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne
Publishers: Songs for Indy and Owl; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing - “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson – WINNER
Songwriter: Josh Phillips
Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing; Write or Die Music; Write the Lightning Publishing - “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters, Ryan Vojtesak
Publishers: Bell Ear Publishing; Master of my Domain Music; Poppy’s Picks; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing; Universal Music Corporation - “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley, Riley Green
Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
Publishers: Back 40 Publishing International; Langley Publishing; One Tooth Productions; Sony/ATV Tree; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- “Cowboys Cry Too” – Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan, Alysa Vanderheym
Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment - “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records - “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood
Producer: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville - “We Don’t Fight Anymore” – Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records - “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley, Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- “4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jennifer Ansell
Director: Dano Cerny - “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Producer: Dustin Haney
Director: Dustin Haney - “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood
Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney - “Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Wes Edwards, Angie Lorenz, Jamie Stratakis
Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone) - “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley, Riley Green – WINNER
Producer: Whale Tale Music
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- ERNEST
- HARDY
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson – WINNER
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Jessi Alexander
- Jessie Jo Dillon – WINNER
- Ashley Gorley
- Chase McGill
- Josh Osborne
