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Eric Church was honored for his unwavering generosity during the 19th ACM Honors on Wednesday evening. Surrounded by his family, including his wife, mother, father, sister and brother-in-law, Church took the stage to deliver a heartfelt acceptance speech reflecting on the role music has played throughout his life and how it ultimately became a catalyst for giving back.

Church spoke about the opportunities his career has afforded him to help others, particularly through the efforts he has supported across his home state of North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. For Church, the ability to use his platform to make a difference has become one of the most meaningful parts of his journey in music.

“And here’s the thing, I believe that God made music the universal language. I believe that that was decreed when King David wrote the first song. And you forget what music can do and who it can speak to,” he said. 

Church revealed that “because of music” they are putting a 37th family in a home in Western North Carolina with 41 more on the way in a neighboring county.

“And it was because of music that happened. It’s changing those lives. It’s changing their kids’ lives. It’s changing their future,” he declared. 

The ACM Lifting Lives Award honors the contributions of Gary Haber, a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors. 

Church was honored for his longstanding commitment to giving back and his continued efforts to support communities in need. In particular, the award recognizes his extensive work helping North Carolina recover and rebuild following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

Church’s efforts began with the Concert for Carolina, which he co-organized with Luke Combs to raise funds for hurricane relief. He later donated all of the royalties from his song “Darkest Hour” to support those impacted by the disaster. Rather than stopping there, Church continued looking for ways to help after recognizing a gap in long-term support for communities working to rebuild.

Through his charitable organization, Chief Cares, which he founded in 2013, Church has worked to strengthen communities through hands-on support, compassion and long-term investment. His work in North Carolina now includes Blue Haven, a housing initiative focused on building rent-free, mortgage-free homes for families as the region continues its recovery.

Church has also donated millions of dollars to causes around the world, including orphanages in Nepal, disaster relief efforts in Haiti and no-kill animal shelters. His connection to ACM Lifting Lives also runs deep, having participated in the organization’s 2021 Ad Council and COVID Collaborative public service announcement during the 56th ACM Awards.

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Church was honored with a performance from Sheryl Crow, who took the stage to deliver a performance of his hit “Drink In My Hand.” 

The 19th ACM Honors also recognized artists such as Ella Langley, songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, country icon Bill Anderson, and more.

The post Eric Church Reflects on the Power of Music While Accepting ACM Lifting Lives Award appeared first on Country Now.

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Bunnie Xo is giving fans a glimpse into what life looks like two months after news broke that she and her husband, Jelly Roll, had filed for divorce.

The Dumb Blonde podcast host recently joined TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones to discuss her New York Times bestselling memoir Stripped Down, its upcoming film adaptation and the new chapter she is embracing following the end of her marriage.

During the conversation, Bunnie made it clear that she is doing well and feels excited about everything ahead of her.

“Ladies, they should have never let me back out in the streets because I love it here. I love it here and I’m never going back,” she stated honestly.

She went on to reflect on how the difficult experience has pushed her to prioritize herself in every aspect of her life, something she hopes to now encourage other women to do while reminding them that even the hardest chapters can eventually lead to something better.

“I feel like us as women, we put ourselves aside so much for partners, friends, kids, and it’s like we don’t pour into ourselves. And sometimes you need to be selfish, and you need to pour into yourself. And I just hope my journey can show people like, ‘hey, you know what? It doesn’t matter how hard of a situation you’re going through, you’re going to get through that. You’re going to rise up and you’re going to be an even better version of yourself.’”

Comparing herself to a racehorse, Bunnie says that she has continued to keep her blinders on and just get to the finish line in an attempt to ignore the constant opinions and commentary being thrown at her amid the very public divorce.

“I know when something like that, that’s deeply personal happens, it’s beautifully tragic, but at the same time there’s always a silver lining and there’s always something better to look forward to,” she continued. “I mean, there’s so much more to talk about with me especially and with women than their past levers and people in their lives. And I mean my book, my movie, this new deal that I just signed with Audacy. There’s just so much.”

While enjoying a “baddie Bunnie summer,” the author reveals she has gotten her smile back and has received countless DM’s from potential love interests, claiming it’s a “boy buffet.”

“I’m having the freaking time of my life and I’m just thriving. And I never thought that it would turn out to be such a blessing, but it’s such a blessing and I’m so thankful.”

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Bunnie has been staying busy simply enjoying her life and all the new people she meets along the way while celebrating her New York Times Best Selling memoir, Stripped Down and even more projects ahead. The podcast host revealed that her deeply personal life story is being adapted into a movie and even joked that she would love to see Danny McBride portray her.

“So crazy because when they told me that it was going to become a movie, it was just another thing where I was just like, oh my God, I cannot believe this is happening. The universe is just rewarding me so much. And I’m just so thankful.”

On top of that, she is also going to be attending school online at Arizona State University. She chose not to say too much about what she will be studying but hinted that it has something to do with her mission to create her own line of biochemical hormones to help women. This is a subject close to her heart as she has been going through her own difficult IVF journey.

“After going through the IVF journey and stuff like that and realizing how much it really does mess up women’s hormones, that’s what I’m going to school to study. I don’t want to say exactly what it is, but I definitely want to come out with my own line of biochemical hormones to help women because I think people need to talk about hormones for women.”

Just days after news of her divorce from Jelly Roll went public, Bunnie Xo dropped a new episode of the Dumb Blonde Podcast, where she addressed rumors surrounding the split, opened up about what led to the end of their marriage, and discussed she and the country star’s plans to continue growing their family.

When hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones asked if she still plans to have a baby, Bunnie explained, “I definitely still want to have a baby, and that’s going to be one of the newest chapters in my next book. And I can’t wait for you guys to read about it because it has been one hell of a journey, let me tell you.”

Back in June, TMZ reported that the hitmaker filed for divorce in Tennessee in May, citing court records obtained by the publication.

According to sources who spoke with the outlet, the decision to end the marriage was mutual and remains a private family matter.

The couple first met in 2015 at one of his concerts on Fremont Street in Las Vegas and quickly formed a connection. They went on to tie the knot on August 31, 2016.

The post Bunnie Xo Admits She’s ‘Thriving’ Two Months After Jelly Roll Divorce appeared first on Country Now.

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Dolly Parton was honored with the ACM Poet’s Award on Wednesday, Aug. 20, recognizing her extraordinary contributions as one of country music’s most gifted and influential songwriters.

Although Parton was unable to attend the ACM Honors ceremony in person, she accepted the prestigious honor virtually through a special video message.

“Dolly here! And I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honoring me with the Poet’s Award. You know, I’ve been able to do many things throughout my life, but at my core, songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively. Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well they all started with a song.” 

Parton continued, “Songwriting has been my therapy; songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music. So thank you God, and thank you fans around the world and everyone at ACM for giving me this very special award.”

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Prior to the award presentation, hosts Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum helped kick off the evening with a special tribute to Parton. The pair joined forces to perform her iconic Kenny Rogers duet, “Islands in the Stream.” Pearce then teamed up with Kaitlin Butts and Carter Faith for a performance of “9 to 5.”

The ACM Poet’s Award recognizes the lasting impact Parton has made on country music through her extraordinary songwriting career. The 13-time ACM Award winner and three-time ACM Awards host has spent decades turning personal experiences, heartbreak, faith and everyday life into songs that have become part of the fabric of country music.

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Parton’s songwriting legacy includes some of the genre’s most recognizable and enduring songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” 

Throughout her career, Parton has also received multiple ACM Song of the Year nominations for songs including “You’re the Only One,” “9 to 5” and “When I Get Where I’m Going.” 

The ACM Poet’s Award adds another major honor to a career already filled with them, celebrating not just Parton’s success as an artist, but the words and stories that have made her music timeless.

The 19th ACM Honors, presented by TennPop, also recognized Eric Church, Ella Langley, songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, and many more.  

The post Dolly Parton Misses ACM Honors but Accepts Prestigious Poet’s Award Via Video appeared first on Country Now.

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Lauren Alaina is honoring her late father, J.J. Suddeth on what would have been his birthday by sharing a bittersweet moment with her daughter, Beni Doll.

In a new Instagram post, the country singer shared photos and a video of her young daughter visiting her grandfather’s gravesite. Sitting on the grass in an adorable pink onesie embroidered with her name, Beni waved and blew kisses to the grandfather that she never had the chance to meet.

Alongside the emotional clips and images, Alaina shared a sweet message dedicated to her dad. She revealed that she and Beni were singing to him, and that the 1-year-old even said “Pawpaw” during their visit.

She wrote, “Happy Birthday, Daddy. I hope you heard us singing for you. I hope you heard Beni say Pawpaw. I miss you so much. I love you.”

The post was filled with loving and supporting messages from friends and followers, many of which made sure to wish her dad a very happy birthday.

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J.J. Suddeth unexpectedly died on July 23, 2024, at the age of 52. At the time, Alaina announced her father’s passing in an emotional statement on Instagram, writing, “We lost my daddy last night, and I really have no words yet.” The cause of his death has not been publicly revealed.

The “All My Exes” singer found out she was pregnant just weeks after the sudden and unexpected loss. She and her husband Cam Arnold then welcomed their beautiful baby girl on June 11, 2025. Even though Beni will never have the chance to meet her grandfather, it’s clear that Alaina is ensuring her little girl will know all about the legacy he left behind as they continue to celebrate in his memory.

Alaina has continued to speak openly about her father’s battle with sobriety and the impact it had on their family. Back in October of 2025 the American Idol alum got emotional with fans as she reflected on what would have been her father’s 13th year of sobriety.

“Today would’ve been his 13th year of sobriety if he had made it. He passed away a little over a year ago, but he didn’t make it to his 12th year either, and I’m not even sure about his 11th. He relapsed, and It’s a major contributing factor to why he’s no longer here with us,” she explained a the time.

Alaina used the vulnerable moment to encourage anyone struggling with addiction to seek help and lean on the people who love them.

“I just wanted to say that if you’re struggling, there are so many people who love you, and for you to love yourself and to get the help that you need and surround yourself with people who love you.”

The pair had a complicated relationship over the years, but they appeared to grow especially close in the years leading up to his death. He also became a source of inspiration for Alaina’s songwriting on several occasions.

In 2017, Alaina released “Doin’ Fine,” a deeply personal song that addressed her parents’ divorce and her father’s struggles with sobriety. Then in June 2021, the father-daughter duo shared the stage at the Grand Ole Opry alongside Alaina’s brother, Tyler, to perform Keith Whitley’s “When You Say Nothing At All.” The performance also helped celebrate Tyler’s 28th birthday.

While Suddeth’s life was filled with both joyful memories and difficult moments, Lauren Alaina continues to honor the impact he had on her life and keep his memory alive.

The post Lauren Alaina Shares Bittersweet Moment as Daughter Beni Doll Visits Late Grandfather’s Gravesite On His Birthday appeared first on Country Now.

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