By Jeanni Ritchie
Before Ella and Zach Top, before Taylor ever sang about teardrops on her guitar… there was me, knee-deep in my country music era.
I’ll admit, it took a certain cowboy to get me to switch my radio from Casey Kasem’s Top 40 to KRRV back in the ’80s—but once I did, there was no turning back.
I was country … when country wasn’t cool.
So yes, I feel uniquely qualified to announce this year’s ACM nominees—and winners.
Now, the actual ceremony won’t take place until May 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where artists will take home a shiny little hat trophy.
My award?
Means absolutely nothing.
It’s not a prediction. There’s no science, no charts, no industry insight, no carefully analyzed metrics.
Just vibes.
Strong ones.
Unapologetic ones.
And since there’s no committee to argue with me… I get to decide every category.
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson — WINNER
My illogical reasoning: This is a dead tie for me—Megan and Lainey are neck and neck. But when it’s that close, I’m giving the edge to Lainey. Louisiana gotta represent.
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson — WINNER
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
My illogical reasoning: Strong vocals, sure—but it’s the lyrics in ‘Til You Can’t. If you’ve got a dream, chase it… ’cause a dream won’t chase you back. That line is a big part of why I’m living out my own dream today, and I owe that to Cody Johnson.
DUO OF THE YEAR:
Brooks & Dunn — WINNER
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
My illogical reasoning: They’re legends, they’re back, and it still sounds like country music is supposed to sound. Also, Ronnie Dunn waved at me on a Nashville celebrity homes bus tour, so of course he gets my vote.
GROUP OF THE YEAR:
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion — WINNER
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
My illogical reasoning: I mean, they have great music, but their Nashville bar—Odie’s—serves steak on a stick and ice cream sandwiches! Plus, I Was On a Boat That Day was basically my summer 2025 anthem.
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Avery Anna
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts — WINNER
My illogical reasoning: She almost won The Voice at 16—and should have. Ten years later, she’s even better… ‘bout time the industry caught up.
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Gavin Adcock — WINNER
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore
My illogical reasoning: Lots of new artists are a dime a dozen. Adcock stands out from the pack. At this point, different is doing a lot of heavy lifting for me.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
6 Months Later — Megan Moroney
Choosin’ Texas — Ella Langley — WINNER
I Never Lie — Zach Top
Somewhere Over Laredo — Lainey Wilson
The Fall — Cody Johnson
My illogical reasoning: It’s one of those earworms that just sticks—but you really don’t mind because Ella has the voice and the charisma to grab your attention and keep it there.
SONG OF THE YEAR:
A Song To Sing — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Am I Okay? — Megan Moroney
Choosin’ Texas — Ella Langley
I Never Lie — Zach Top
Somewhere Over Laredo — Lainey Wilson
SONG OF THE YEAR (ACCORDING TO ME, NOT THE ACADEMY):
Backup Plan — Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs
Texas — Blake Shelton
Liar — Jelly Roll — WINNER
Run — Miranda Lambert
Believe — Kashus Culpepper
My illogical reasoning: I’m rejecting the official nominees and making this a write-in category, because these are five of the best songs of 2025. I had a blast in a Backstage Nashville sing-along for Texas, and that one made a strong case—but Liar wins it. It hits deep. It’s fire, redemption, and strength wrapped up in one catchy three-minute song.
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 — WINNER
You Had To Be There — Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
My illogical reasoning: Three powerhouse women—Reba, Miranda, and Lainey—singing about the trailblazing women who came before them? This one was a no-brainer for me.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Ain’t In It For My Health — Zach Top — WINNER
Cherry Valley — Carter Faith
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) — Riley Green
I’m The Problem — Morgan Wallen
Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum
My illogical reasoning: I asked myself one question: which of these could I play on repeat for 24 hours? Zach Top won by a country mile…
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR:
6 Months Later — Megan Moroney
A Song To Sing — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Cuckoo — Stephen Wilson Jr. — WINNER
Somewhere Over Laredo — Lainey Wilson
The Fall — Cody Johnson
My illogical reasoning: Wilson barely edged out Moroney here, two incredible videos with vastly different vibes that will cause me to change my mind a dozen more times before this is published.
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley — WINNER
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
My illogical reasoning: I went full investigative journalist and pulled discographies on each nominee… wow! This list is the who’s who behind what dominates country radio today. Gorley takes the win with faves like Dirt on My Boots and Crash My Party.
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney — WINNER
Morgan Wallen
My illogical reasoning: She’s a songwriter first—and it shows. The lyrics, the storytelling, the way she connects—it all reminds me of another singer you might know… have you heard of Taylor Swift? Megan brings that same kind of magic—with beauty, charisma, and a style all her own.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll — WINNER
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
My illogical reasoning: Because Jelly reached me when no one else could, I’ll die on the hill that he is not only entertainer of the year, but of the millennium.
