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\tKaitlin Butts, Avery Anna, Gabriella Rose Honor Ella Langley<\/p>\n
\n\tThe evening\u2019s accolades continued with three rising women artists honoring country music powerhouse Ella Langley, whose songs \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas,\u201d \u201cBe Her\u201d and the Morgan Wallen collab \u201cI Can\u2019t Love You Anymore\u201d have become massive hits.<\/p>\n
\n\tLangley was not in attendance that evening, but was honored with the ACM artist-songwriter of the year trophy. Avery Anna, Kaitlin Butts and Gabriella Rose shared words on Langley\u2019s behalf, saying, \u201cThank you so much to the ACM team for this incredible honor. Being recognized as both an artist and a songwriter means so much to me. Songwriting has always been at the heart of who I am, and getting to take those songs from the writing room to the stage every night is something I\u2019ll never take for granted. I\u2019m thankful for all of my co-writers who have shared their stories and talents with me, for my family and my team who have supported me through each year, and above all, to God for continuing to guide my steps and lead me down this path.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThe three women also honored Langley in song; Butts performed \u201cWeren\u2019t for the Wind,\u201d Rose performed \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas\u201d and Anna performed \u201cBe Her.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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\tCarly Pearce Pays Homage to Bill Anderson<\/p>\n
\n\tBill Anderson\u2019s songwriting prowess was honored as the 65-year Opry member was celebrated with the ACM Icon Award. Anderson\u2019s songwriting credits include \u201cWhiskey Lullaby,\u201d \u201cA Lot of Things Different,\u201d \u201cGive It Away\u201d and \u201cCity Lights.\u201d He was also the inaugural recipient of the ACM Poet\u2019s Award in 2008.<\/p>\n
\n\tPearce honored Anderson by performing a gorgeous rendition of \u201cWhiskey Lullaby.\u201d <\/p>\n
\n\tAnderson told the crowd in accepting his honor, \u201cThere\u2019s an old gospel song called, \u2018I Wouldn\u2019t Take Nothin\u2019 for My Journey Now,\u2019 and that\u2019s pretty much how I\u2019m feeling standing here tonight. I wouldn\u2019t take anything for these 65-plus years, journeying through the world of country music among you and alongside you. You\u2019ve been awfully good to me, and I\u2019ll never be able to tell you how much I appreciate it. And this is the cherry on top of the sundae. Thank you again and God bless.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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\tBrenda Lee, Margo Price Help Honor The Carter Family<\/p>\n
\n\tMusic luminary Brenda Lee, as well as Margo Price and Logan Ledger, helped honor the \u201cFirst Family of Country Music,\u201d The Carter Family, with the ACM Poet\u2019s Award. A.P. Carter, Sara Carter and Maybelle Carter were an essential part of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and recorded songs including \u201cWildwood Flower\u201d and \u201cKeep on the Sunny Side,\u201d songs that were become foundational to country music. They were also the first group be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
\n\tPrice and Ledger teamed up to perform songs like \u201cCoal Miner\u2019s Blues\u201d and \u201cRing of Fire.\u201d Meanwhile, Lee joined John Carter Cash, Carlene Carter and more Carter family members in performing a rendition of \u201cWill the Circle Be Unbroken.\u201d In accepting the honor on behalf of The Carter Family, John Carter Cash honored not only the musical works of A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter, but also that of Lesley Riddle, who traveled with A.P. across the region, memorizing melodies as Carter collected lyrics.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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\tTrisha Yearwood Honors Leslie Fram<\/p>\n
\n\tTrisha Yearwood honored music exec Leslie Fram, recipient of this year\u2019s Lift Every Voice award, which honors someone who has worked to elevate marginalized voices in country music. Before introducing Fram, Yearwood performed a rendition of \u201cEvery Girl in This Town.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s her passion and legacy,\u201d Yearwood said of Fram\u2019s work, which has spanned initiatives including spearheading CMT\u2019s Next Women of Country franchise, and work as part of the organizations Change the Conversation, Nashville Music Equality and Equal Access, as well as her work at her current company, FEMco. Calling the exec \u201ca chick singer\u2019s best friend,\u201d Yearwood introduced Fram, who gave a powerful speech that encouraged every female artist, and celebrated artists like Ella Langley and Megan Moroney who are having a huge year.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cCan we just take a moment for what\u2019s happening right now for female artists in this industry, in country music?\u201d Fram said. \u201cBreaking records, selling out shows, dispelling those myths that women can\u2019t sell tickets, women don\u2019t want to hear women, you can\u2019t play two women back to back \u2014\u00a0none of that is true. We\u2019ve been fighting that for so long. So we want to dedicate this award tonight to every girl in this town.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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\tDolly Parton Honored With ACM Poet\u2019s Award<\/p>\n
\n\tSeveral artists took the stage to honor Dolly Parton, who was celebrated with the ACM Poet\u2019s Award for her songwriting contributions to country music. Pearce and McCollum honored Parton with a rendition of \u201cIslands in the Stream,\u201d followed by Pearce joining Kaitlin Butts and Carter Faith for a rendition of \u201c9 to 5.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tParton accepted the honor via video, saying, \u201cI\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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\tMegan Moroney Honors Co-Writer Jessie Jo Dillon<\/p>\n
\n\tMegan Moroney, who has been bringing her Cloud 9 headlining arena tour to fans across the country, took time to honor her frequent co-writer, Jessie Jo Dillon, who was honored as the ACM songwriter of the year. Dillon also makes history this year, winning the accolade for the third consecutive year and becoming the first songwriter to win the trophy three times.<\/p>\n
\n\tMoroney called herself \u201cthe president of the Jessie Jo Dillon fanclub,\u201d and honored Dillon by performing a rendition of \u201cBeautiful Things.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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\tDierks Bentley Celebrates the Life and Songwriting Talent of Brett James<\/p>\n