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ACM Awards 2021: Maren Morris, Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton win big during historic ceremony

LUKE BRYAN was named
Luke Bryan bagged the entertainer of the year award at this year’s Academy of Country Music awards (Picture: CBS)

The likes of Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, and Maren Morris were the big winners during the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night.

The annual ceremony took place across several locations amid the ongoing pandemic and saw Keith Urban co-hosting alongside Mickey Guyton – the first Black female to host the show.

American Idol judge Luke took home the top gong for entertainer of the year which he accepted remotely while in recovery from Covid-19.

He stated: ‘I’m so sorry I could not be there. And to all my fans out there and country radio, we miss touring. We’ve missed being on the road with everybody that makes me an entertainer.

‘My bus drivers, my band, my crew, what a challenging year. But to all the fans and everybody, we’ll be back out on the road doing what we love.’

Elsewhere, Maren walked home with the female artist of the year and song of the year award for her track The Bones.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 18: In this image released on April 18, Maren Morris, winner of the awards for Song of the Year for 'The Bones??? and Female Artist of the Year, attends the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on April 18, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/ACMA2021/Getty Images for ACM)
Maren Morris walked away with the song of the year and female artist of the year gongs (Picture: Getty Images North America)

In one tearful speech, she said: ‘Really just happy to be in a category with women that were not able to tour this year, but brought so much heat to the game to country music this year.

‘You’ve inspired me so much to no end, and even in a year where no one’s gotten to play shows, I have heard some of the best music out of all of you this past year. So thank you so much for inspiring me.’

NASHVILLE - APRIL 18: Chris Stapleton wins Album of The Year at the 56TH ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. Hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, the 56TH ACM AWARDS will be broadcast Sunday, April 18 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount +. (Photo by Jon Morgan/CBS via Getty Images)
Chris Stapleton won Album of The Year at the 56th ACM awards (Picture: Jon Morgan/CBS via Getty Images)

She then went on to thank her co-writers and her husband Ryan Hurd for her song of the year win.

‘It’s just been a hell of a year, and hopefully, country music and maybe even this song brought you and your family some peace,’ she stated.

Indeed, this year’s ceremony was the first time all of the nominees for Single of the Year were performed by women.

A shocked Carly Pierce took home the awards for her collaboration with Lee Brice, I Hope You’re Happy Now.



ACM Awards 2021 winners list

Entertainer of the year
Luke Bryan

Female artist of the year
Maren Morris

Male artist of the year
Thomas Rhett

Duo of the year
Dan + Shay

Group of the year
Old Dominion

New female artist of the year 
Gabby Barrett

New male artist of the year
Jimmie Allen

Album of the year
Starting Over – Chris Stapleton

Single of the year
I Hope You’re Happy Now – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice

Song of the year
The Bones – Maren Morris

Music event of the year
I Hope You’re Happy Now – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice

Music video of the year
Worldwide Beautiful – Kane Brown

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