The 51st Annual ACM Winners Are…

Photo Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The 51st annual Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs) was a star-studded affair that brought the best of country music back to Las Vegas this year.

The event was broadcast live on Sunday night on CBS from MGM Grand Garden Arena.

At the awards ceremony, which was attended by thousands, the industry awarded Jason Aldean with the top honor as Entertainer of the Year. Aldean has been previously nominated four times in this category.

Dolly Parton was presented the Tex Ritter Award to recognize the success of Coat of Many Colors. The Tex Ritter Award is presented to recognize a motion picture that featured country music and received major exposure. Parton and pop superstar Katy Perry joined forces for an unprecedented duet performance live on the telecast. 

Chris Stapleton won Male Vocalist of the Year for the first time. As previously announced, he came into the night already a winner of the New Male Vocalist of the Year award.  Stapleton is the leading winner of the night with a total of six wins, including Album of the Year as both Artist and Producer, and Song of the Year as both Artist and Producer.  With his six wins he ties the record for most ACM Awards won in a single year.  Only Garth Brooks and Faith Hill have reached this pinnacle before.

Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year for the seventh consecutive year, setting a new record for the most consecutive wins in that category. Lambert also won Vocal Event of the Year for Smokin’ And Drinkin’ with Little Big Town, presented prior to the show on the red carpet.

Little Big Town won the Vocal Group of the Year award for the second year in a row, and third time overall.  They also won Vocal Event of the Year for Smokin’ And Drinkin’ with Miranda Lambert.

Thomas Rhett won Single Record of the Year for Die A Happy Man.  This is Rhett’s first-ever ACM award win.

Kelsea Ballerini was previously awarded New Female Vocalist of the Year, and performed an energetic medley of her new single Peter Pan and her breakout number-one hit Love Me Like You Mean It, with Nick Jonas.

Eric Church won Video of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood.  Florida Georgia Line won Vocal Duo of the Year for the third year in a row.  Both Church and Florida Georgia Line were presented with the awards prior to the telecast.

Photo Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Following is the list of winners in the 13 categories:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Miranda Lambert

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)

Florida Georgia Line

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Little Big Town

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)

Chris Stapleton

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)

Kelsea Ballerini

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)

Old Dominion

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Traveller – Chris Stapleton

Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton

Record Label: Mercury Records

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett

Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure

Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

Nobody To Blame – Chris Stapleton

Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman

Publishers: House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Quackhead Music (BMI), RayLynn Publishing (BMI)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) 

Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church

Directors: Reid Long, John Peets

Producer: Megan Smith

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)

Smokin’ And Drinkin’ – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town

Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf

Record Label: RCA Nashville