Category: Music

Luke Bryan shares his wildest meet-and-greet stories. Continue reading…​The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs

Cody Johnson had one of the biggest moments of the night at the 2026 ACM Awards. At the very end of Sunday’s star-studded show, he took home the coveted Entertainer of the Year title. While celebrating the milestone win, he surprised the crowd by dedicating the win to fellow nominee Luke Combs.

The night marked Johnson’s third time being nominated in the category and his first win. He was up against Combs, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen. While he could have used his acceptance speech to thank so many people, he chose to call attention to one particular artist who he has personally watched “devote his entire life to country music.”

Johnson was a supporting act for Combs on his 2023 world tour. During that time the artists jetted off to Australia for a string of shows and while there, Combs unfortunately missed his wife, Nicole, giving birth to their second son, Beau. The next night, he got on stage and delivered a powerhouse show. Seeing that level of dedication left a lasting impact on Johnson, which is why he chose to dedicate his first-ever Entertainer of the Year win to his fellow country star.

“Tonight I want to dedicate this to somebody that you guys probably didn’t expect me to dedicate this to…I was there the night in Australia when his wife gave birth to one of their sons. And I watched the anguish and I watched the defeat on his face for not being there because he was across the world playing music in a sold-out arena,” Johnson recalled. “And the next night right after it, I watched him get on stage and absolutely murder the stage and go on stage and play country music and preach the message of country music to a bunch of Australians across the world.”

He added, “So tonight I want to dedicate my first Entertainer of the Year award to my buddy Luke Combs. I love you brother. Thank you.”

Prior to this surprise dedication, viewers saw the Texas native become overwhelmed with emotion when he first heard his name called for the coveted trophy. As Johnson collected himself at the mic in front of a crowd filled with fans and fellow artists, he joked that he had prepared a speech, but had already covered most of what he wanted to say earlier in the night while accepting Male Artist of the Year.

“I literally have no idea what I’m going to say,” Johnson stated honestly.

It turned out that not knowing what to say may have resulted in something even better, because it came directly from the heart. He went on to recall the days of his mom catching him as a child with a microphone duct taped to the side of the bunk bed in his room and a guitar with no strings, singing the Rick Trevino song, “Learning As You Go.”

His reason for sharing this glimpse into his life was to prove that all he ever wanted was to be performing in front of a crowd and now he is doing that on a greater scale than he ever dreamed of. And Johnson has not taken his platform for granted. He prides himself on promoting positivity through his words and music all over the world.

“I get to use my platform to not only promote positivity in this country and all over the world. I get to use it to make you experience emotions that I feel, whether we’re crying, whether we’re laughing, whether we’re happy or sad, I get to convey that through this thing that God gave me called music,” Johnson shared. “It’s the greatest drug that has ever been introduced on planet earth.”

While he has garnered so much success leading up to this moment, Johnson wanted to make it clear that at the end of the day, when he goes home, that artist hat comes off so that he is completely unplugged and present for his family.

“I just want y’all to know that when I go home, I take my phone and I turn it face down. When I go home, I am a husband. I am a father. I’m a cattle rancher. So listen, all you fans out here in the top bowl, I turn you guys off and as soon as I step on the jet, as soon as I step on the bus, all I look forward to is seeing you because I can’t wait to see you on that stage so we can experience those motions together,” he added.

The moving speech ended with his heartfelt dedication to Luke Combs.

This was certainly a night to remember for Johnson. On top of winning both Male of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, he took the stage to perform a stirring and patriotic rendition of “Travelin’ Soldier.” Johnson was also up for wins in the categories of Single of the Year and Visual Media of the Year, both for “The Fall.”

He is set to return to the road with a weekend of shows on May 29 in Grand Rapids, MI and May 30 in Rosemont, IL, followed by a trip to Nashville to perform at Nissan stadium for CMA Fest on June 5.

2026 ACM Awards Performance Lineup

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards also featured performances by Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top.

Other highlights include collaborations between Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis, Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack and a special closing performance of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” by Blake Shelton as a tribute to the late Nashville songwriter, Don Schlitz, who passed away on April 16, 2026.

Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Michael Bublé, Shaboozey, The War And Treaty, and TJ Osborne were among the night’s many presenters.

Shania Twain hosted the nearly 2.5-hour event, which streamed live to a global audience in over 240 countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video. The show returned to Las Vegas and aired from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

A complete list of winners can be found HERE. 

The post Cody Johnson Dedicates First ACM Entertainer of the Year Win To Luke Combs appeared first on Country Now.

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Lauren Alaina put out her head down and wept as she spoke about the importance of supporting mental health at the 2026 ACM Awards. Continue reading…​Country Music News – Taste of Country

Lauren Alaina put out her head down and wept as she spoke about the importance of supporting mental health at the 2026 ACM Awards. Continue reading…​The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs

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The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards came to a close with Blake Shelton delivering one of the night’s most memorable moments, honoring beloved Nashville songwriter Don Schlitz, who passed away on April 16, 2026, at age 73 following a “sudden illness.”

The tribute unfolded with an electrifying performance of Kenny Rogers’ classic “The Gambler,” the GRAMMY-winning song penned by Schlitz. As Shelton stepped onto the stage, the screen lit up with vibrant neon signs, perfectly capturing the energy of Las Vegas while setting the tone for a powerful finale.

Shelton came dressed for the moment as he took the stage and strummed his guitar, filling the entire arena with the iconic song. It was impossible for the fans and fellow artists not to get on their feet and sing along until the very last note.

Released on November 15, 1978 as the title track to Rogers’ album of the same name, the song climbed its way to the top of the country charts and also crossed over onto the pop charts.

Following rehearsals at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Shelton had reflected on just how meaningful the song has been throughout his life.

“That particular song is like two legends came together and made one of the most important pieces of music in country music history…I would say it’s in the top 10, at least it’s in my top 10 of all time.”

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Shelton previously recorded his own version of “The Gambler” in 2006 while working in the studio with renowned producer Bobby Braddock. Leading up to the ACM Awards, he also released a cover of the song exclusively on Amazon Music in honor of the performance.

The Oklahoma native, who is currently in the midst of his Las Vegas residency, brought the night to a memorable close with the tribute that celebrated the lasting legacy of both Schlitz and Rogers.

His residency will pick back up at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for the final shows on May 21 and 24.

2026 ACM Awards Performance Lineup

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards also featured performances by Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Cody Johnson, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top.

Other highlights include collaborations between Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis and Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack.

Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Michael Bublé, Shaboozey, The War And Treaty, and TJ Osborne were among the night’s many presenters.

Shania Twain hosted the nearly 2.5 hour event, which streamed live to a global audience in over 240 countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video. The show returned to Las Vegas and aired from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

A complete list of winners can be found HERE. 

The post Blake Shelton Closes ACM Awards With Show-Stopping Tribute Performance of ‘The Gambler’ appeared first on Country Now.

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