Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, Luke Combs and Cody Johnson are among this year’s recipients of the Academy of Country Music’s special awards, and will be feted during the 18th Academy of Country Music Honors celebration, which will take place Wednesday, Aug. 20, at The Pinnacle in Nashville.
Wilson will be honored with the ACM artist-songwriter of the year accolade, while songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon (“Halfway to Hell,” “Am I Okay?”) will be honored with the songwriter of the year award. The ACM Honors will also recognize studio recording award and industry award winners.
Jelly Roll will be honored with the ACM lifting lives award, which recognizes a country music artist, duo/group or industry member who has devoted themselves to improving lives through music and is committed to serving others. The honor is voted on by the ACM lifting lives board of directors. Jelly Roll is being honored for his philanthropic work. He teamed with Live Nation to donate $1 from each ticket sold on his Backroad Baptism Tour, raising more than $600,000 for at-risk youth. He has also visited over 10 juvenile facilities, four rehabilitation centers and several homeless shelters to help bring hope and encouragement. He also testified before Congress to advocate for the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence Off Fentanyl Act.
Church and Ben Vaughn, president/CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville until his passing earlier this year, are the recipients of the ACM icon award, given to presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions throughout their career. Church, a seven-time ACM Award winner, spearheaded the Concert for Carolina alongside Luke Combs, raising more than $24 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. For Church’s 2024 release “Darkest Hour,” he signed over all of his publishing royalties to aid those impacted by the floods in his homestate of North Carolina. During his career leading Warner Chappell Music Nashville, Vaughn was instrumental in developing numerous artists and songwriters including Dan+Shay, Kacey Musgraves, Lady A, Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton.
Johnson is the recipient of the ACM spirit award, inspired by the late country music legend Merle Haggard. The award is presented to a singer-songwriter who continues the legacy of Haggard by following their own path, crafting compelling songs and presenting them through high-caliber performances. Johnson has earned two No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hits, “‘Til You Can’t” and “The Painter.”
Combs will be honored with the ACM international award, which celebrates a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the growth of country music globally. Combs’ headlining tours have sold out in the U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia, demonstrating his global appeal and fanbase.
Palmer will be feted with the ACM’s lift every voice award, which is presented to a country music artist, duo/group, industry leader or affiliate/partner who elevates underrepresented voices in the country music genre. The nominee for this category is proposed by the rising leaders in the ACM’s LEVel UP: Lift Every Voice professional development program. In addition to leading her own music career, Palmer is the creator and host of Apple Music’s Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer, which celebrates diversity and inclusion in the country music genre and spotlights artists of color.
Mac McAnally will be recognized with the ACM poet’s award, which honors a country music songwriter for longstanding musical contributions to country music. In addition to writing his own music, this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member has had songs recorded by Jimmy Buffett (“It’s My Job”) Kenny Chesney (“Down the Road”), Alabama (“Old Flame”), Sawyer Brown (“I Will Leave the Light On”), Shenandoah (“Two Dozen Roses”) and more.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Travis will be honored as the recipient of the ACM milestone award, which is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for outstanding achievements in country music during the preceding calendar year. Travis incorporated AI-assisted vocals to re-imagine and revive older and previously unheard songs, preserving and continuing his unmistakable sound.
The ACM film award, which recognizes an outstanding movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year that prominently features country music, will be presented for the film Twisters. The film’s soundtrack featured music from Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Jelly Roll and more.
Executive Lori Badgett is the recipient of the ACM service award, which is given to an outstanding country music artist, duo/group or industry leader to recognize years of dedication and service to the ACM. In her work at City National Bank, Badgett has helped establish the bank’s presence in Nashville and she now plays an essential role in the ACM and its charitable arm ACM Lifting Lives, having chaired both organizations. Badgett’s leadership was instrumental in the Academy’s transition from Los Angeles to Nashville and she continues to serve on multiple committees for both organizations.
“This year’s ACM Special Awards honorees each have played an essential role in Country Music’s success,” Kerri Edwards, chair of the ACM Special Awards committee, said in a statement. “From some of country music’s legendary artists to the incredible songwriters and powerhouse executives, we are so excited to celebrate these well-deserved recipients next month at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Congratulations to all the honorees.”
Tickets for the ACM Honors will be available to ACM A-List newsletter subscribers and Academy members in a pre-sale starting July 10. General onsale tickets will be available starting July 11 through AXS.
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