ACM Announces Industry and Studio Recording Awards

Calling all country music fans! On June 17, the Academy of Country Music announced the winners of the AMC Industry Awards, as well as the Studio Recording Awards for the 59^th Academy of Country Music Awards.

The winners of these highly coveted awards were announced through videos featuring some of country music’s biggest names, such as Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Vince Gill, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett, Tigirlily Gold, and Keith Urban. The awards in these categories, as well as Special Award recipients, are to be celebrated at the 17^th Academy of Country Music Honors taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

As a part of the ACM Studio Recording Awards, Paul Franklin, primarily known for his work as a steel guitarist, won his second ACM Specialty Instrument Player of the Year Award, making the award his 18^th overall ACM Award and typing him with J.D. Maness for most ACM Studio Recording wins. Dann Huff, the most-nominated non-artist in ACM Awards history, took home the award for AMC Producer off the Year for the fifth time, making his nomination count 57 and his award count to 11.

 Jimmie Lee Sloas won AMC Bass Player of the Year for the fifth time, and Rob McNelley secured his first ACM Electric Guitar Player of the Year award. Previously to his win this year, McNelley won three awards in the ACM Guitar Player of the Year category, which has split into separate award categories for Electric and Acoustic in 2021. Drummer Jerry Roe won his first ACM Award as ACM Drummer of the Year.  

The AMC Industry Awards feature categories that honor venues, promoters, talent buyers, and more. Nashville’s very own Bridgestone Arena and Ryman Auditorium won ACM Arena of the Year and ACM Theater of the Year. These awards mark Bridgestone Arena’s sixth award and the Ryman Auditoriums eighth win. Mohegan Sun Arena, based in Uncasville, Conn., won Casino of the Year – Arena award. The historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Co won its third ACM Outdoor Venue award and its fifth ACM award.

To view a full list of Studio Recording Award winners, click here. To check out all of the Industry Award nominees and winners, click here.