The Academy of Country Music hosts its 61st annual awards on May 17 in Las Vegas, but the organization is slowly rolling out winners in some non-televised categories.
The ACM announced Ella Langley as the winner in the Artist-Songwriter of the Year field. Langley, whose single “Choosin’ Texas” continues to be a country-pop crossover juggernaut, was nominated for seven awards this year. Jessie Jo Dillon was named Songwriter of the Year.
Other announced winners include Avery Anna, who was named New Female Artist of the Year, and Tucker Wetmore, the New Male Artist of the Year. Last year’s winner for New Female Artist of the Year is now country’s biggest star: Langley. The 2024 New Female winner, Megan Moroney, is this year’s leading nominee with nine.
In the Visual Media of the Year category, Stephen Wilson Jr. won for the music video for his song “Cuckoo.” Wilson co-directed the clip with Tim Cofield.
2026 ACM Awards Winners and Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Album of the Year
Ain’t in It for My Health — Zach Top
Cherry Valley — Carter Faith
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) — Riley Green
I’m the Problem — Morgan Wallen
Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum
Song of the Year
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure)
“Am I Okay?,” Megan Moroney (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon)
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor)
“I Never Lie,” Zach Top (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols)
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg)
Single of the Year
“6 Months Later” by Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley
“I Never Lie” by Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” by Cody Johnson
Group of the Year
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore
Music Event of the Year
“A Song to Sing” — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Amen” — Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Don’t Mind If I Do” — Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
“Trailblazer” — Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“You Had to Be There” — Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Visual Media of the Year
“6 Months Later” by Megan Moroney
“A Song to Sing” by Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Cuckoo” by Stephen Wilson Jr.
“Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” by Cody Johnson
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Ella Langley
Luke Combs
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
