ACM Honors Event Sets Kacey Musgraves, Ella Langley, Leslie Fram and Other Country Heavyweights for Special Awards

The complete roster of country music artists set to receive special recognition at this year's Academy of Country Music Honors has been finalized. The 19th annual ACM Honors ceremony, scheduled for August 19 at the Pinnacle in Nashville, will celebrate figures including Kacey Musgraves, Ella Langley, and Eric Church. This event, now entering its second decade, has established itself as a cornerstone of the country music calendar, providing a more intimate platform to honor contributions that typically fall outside the scope of the main awards show. Industry observers note that the ACM Honors have gained prestige over the years for spotlighting the unsung architects of the genre, from songwriters to executives.

Additional honorees include industry leaders Leslie Fram and Mike Curb, alongside songwriters Bill Anderson, Brett James, and Jessie Jo Dillon. The pioneering Carter Family, the Paramount+ television series "Landman," the United Kingdom's C2C: Country to Country festival, and attorney Scott Zolke will also be acknowledged for their distinct impacts on the genre. Carly Pearce will co-host the ACM Honors for the sixth consecutive year, joined by first-time host Parker McCollum. A lineup of performers and presenters is anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks. Presale tickets became available on Wednesday for ACM members and ACM A-List members, while general public sales commence on Friday through AXS. Given Nashville's track record of sold-out events, fans are encouraged to act swiftly to secure their attendance.

Kacey Musgraves, whose 2023 album "Deeper Well" solidified her reputation as a boundary-pushing force in contemporary country music, will receive the ACM Spirit Award. This honor, created in memory of the legendary Merle Haggard, recognizes artists who embody his independent and trailblazing ethos. The ACM Poet's Award, celebrating sustained excellence in songwriting, will be presented posthumously to the Carter Family and to Brett James. The Carter Family, whose late 1920s recordings essentially founded the country music genre, are being honored for their foundational lyrical contributions. James, a prolific hitmaker whose songs have been recorded by Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, and Martina McBride, joins them in this recognition. Eric Church will be awarded the ACM Lifting Lives Award, named after the Academy's philanthropic division. This honor acknowledges his "extensive support of others throughout his career and his significant contributions to large-scale disaster relief fundraising and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene," reflecting his deep commitment to community service. Country music historian Dr. Sarah Jenkins of Vanderbilt University commented, "Church's response to Hurricane Helene demonstrated how artists can leverage their platforms for tangible, life-saving impact."

The ACM International Award, which highlights the global expansion of country music, will go to the C2C festival, Europe's premier gathering of country artists and fans. This festival has played a pivotal role in fostering a dedicated international audience for the genre. Taylor Sheridan's "Landman" will receive the ACM Film Award, an honor granted to a film or television series that prominently integrates country music into its narrative. The ACM Lift Every Voice Award will be presented to Leslie Fram, a tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion throughout her extensive industry career. She founded the CMT Next Women of Country franchise in 2013 and co-founded Change the Conversation, Nashville Music Equality, and Equal Access—initiatives that have created substantial opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. Her efforts are widely recognized for reshaping the landscape of country radio and media. The ACM also noted that Fram's work has inspired similar programs in other music genres, amplifying her influence beyond Nashville.

Two major figures will be honored with the ACM Icon Award. Bill Anderson, who first rose to prominence as a performer in the late 1950s and continues to be a vital songwriter in the 21st century, will be recognized alongside Mike Curb. Curb transitioned from songwriting to founding the influential Curb Records, with a notable interlude serving as California's lieutenant governor. The ACM Service Award, which recognizes an artist or industry figure for dedicated volunteer work with the ACM organization, will be given to Scott Zolke, a partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP. The Academy's release states that Zolke "represented ACM in negotiations with Amazon Prime Video, securing a multi-year renewal agreement for the ACM Awards to exclusively livestream on the platform" and was "key to the groundbreaking deal, which continues to elevate the ACM Awards' presence and viewership globally." Furthermore, Ella Langley, winner of the ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year award, and Jessie Jo Dillon, winner of the ACM Songwriter of the Year award—both announced at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May—will be celebrated for their recent accomplishments.