The country music industry gathered in Nashville for the 19th annual ACM Honors on Aug. 19, celebrating achievements that reach beyond commercial success.
Co-hosted by Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum, the three-hour gala was filled with heartfelt moments dedicated to those who’ve made an impact on the industry itself. Not to be confused with the annual ACM Awards, the ACM Honors lift up those who use their fame to give back, those who work to move country creativity forward, and those who bring it all to the fans.
Musical tributes, impromptu speeches and well-deserved awards helped define a glitzy yet laid-back production, held for the first time at the Pinnacle music venue. Icons like Dolly Parton and superstars such as Ella Langley and Eric
Church were all recognized for their contributions, as were the year’s top behind-the-scenes professionals.
Along the way, a series of moments and messages stood out.
A Dolly Parton show opener
The 19th annual ACM Honors kicked off with a bang. Co-hosts Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum took the stage to honor Dolly Parton. Pearce and McCollum first performed a bouncy duet of “Islands In the Stream" before rising stars Kaitlin Butts and Carter Faith took over with a jaunty version of “9 to 5.”
Then it was time for the legend to be given the ACM Poet’s Award. Held up for her lifetime contribution to country songwriting, Parton was not in attendance but did share a gracious video thanking the Academy of Country Music, and stating songwriting is her first love.
“I've 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,” Parton said. “Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I've been able to see come true in my, well, they're all starting with a song.”
Trisha Yearwood helps lift up female voices
Longtime music executive Leslie Fram was honored with the night’s Lift Every Voice award for her work promoting country artists of all genders, races and backgrounds.
Helping give out the award was country favorite Trisha Yearwood, who delivered a stirring rendition of the song “Every Girl in This Town.” It was a fitting tribute to the figure behind initiatives like CMT’s Women of Country. Yearwood’s octave-jumping performance impressed the crowd of fellow artists and fans. Fram’s message highlighted how far female artists have come in recent years. She noted women are currently dominating the genre, from Langley to Megan Moroney and beyond.
“Can we just take a moment for what's happening right now for female artists in our industry?” Fram said. “Selling out shows. Dispelling the myths that women can't sell tickets, women don't want to hear women [on the radio], or you can't play two women back to back. None of that is true and we've been fighting that for so long.”
Dierks Bentley honors late songwriter Brett James
Country singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley had a special connection to one of his favorite songwriters, the late Brett James, who died in a plane crash in 2025 alongside the late songwriter's wife and stepdaughter.
James was honored with another ACM Poet's Award for writing modern standards like Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," Kenny Chesney's "When the Sun Goes Down," and more. Yet it was Bentley’s “I Hold On” which gave the night one of its most meaningful moments.
Playing the song acoustic, Bentley first explained it was dedicated to his father. He said James was the only songwriter who could have pulled it out of Bentley’s heart, and went on to give the ACM trophy to James' three sons.
“We were meant to write this song together. The whole chorus about faith, love and freedom, that was all him,” Bentley said. “I learned a lot about myself the day we wrote this song together.”
Carter Faith channels Kacey Musgraves
“Betty” singer Carter Faith returned to highlight Kacey Musgraves with the ACM Spirit Award, given out to honor a truly unique artist. Musgraves wasn’t in attendance, but Faith’s swaying run through “Merry Go Round” channeled the one-of-a-kind hit maker.
Wearing a lacy white dress with black trim, Faith’s laid-back delivery gave the spacious acoustic performance just the right mix of gritty and pretty.
Speaking about Musgraves, Faith said the “Follow Your Arrow” singer had inspired many like herself.
“I still remember the very first time I heard ‘Merry Go Round,’ I was sitting in a Walmart parking lot in the back of my parents' car, and I refused to go inside until I heard the song all the way through,” Faith said. “In just three minutes, she can make anyone feel seen."
Brenda Lee sings “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
With a personality far bigger than her tiny frame, music legend Brenda Lee made one of the night’s funniest and most memorable appearances. She first cracked jokes about her size and delighted the crowd with endearing wisecracks, then asked for a chair and saying “Now we can make some noise.”
The iconic singer asked her audience what they would like to sing. “Christmas songs” was the reply. She knew what the crowd wanted and promised to deliver, but only if everyone sang along. For the next few minutes, the whole Pinnacle got to sing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” with Lee.
John Carter Cash, Carlene Carter, and other descendants of The Carter Family then came out to honor the trio as one of the founding families of country music.
Megan Moroney’s solo rendition of “Beautiful Things”
Country singer-songwriter Megan Moroney was one of the night’s biggest stars, taking the stage to highlight her friend and ACM Songwriter of the Year for the third year straight, Jessie Jo Dillon.
Dillon had helped Moroney write much of her record-setting 2026 album “Cloud 9,” along with hits for other artists like Maren Morris, Jelly Roll, Old Dominion and more. Moroney performed one of the album’s most vividly-written tracks.
Donning a sparkly silver guitar, the chart-topping artist sang “Beautiful Things” solo and acoustic for an audience at full attention. Her lyrics told the tale of a young woman at home alone, feeling unwanted and left behind. Yet its supportive refrain offered the healing grace of a best friend.
Before handing over the award, Moroney spoke of Dillon with the same tone.
“Hi, I’m Megan,” she said. “I’m the president of the Jessie Jo Dillon fan club.”
Ella Langley named the top songwriter of 2026
Although she wasn’t in attendance at the 19th annual ACM Honors, newly minted global superstar Ella Langley’s presence was still felt. Langley was recognized as the night’s Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and honored with a medley performance from three peers-turned-friends.
Kaitlin Butts kicked things off with a breezy run through “Weren’t for the Wind,” before Gabriella Rose came out for the mega-hit “Choosin’ Texas.” Avery Anna capped the medley with “Be Her,” before the trio explained that Langley had lifted each of them up, sharing stages and kind words. Butts read off a message Langley had written.
“Being recognized as both the artist and the songwriter means so much to me,” Langley shared, as read by Butts. “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'll never take for granted.”
Sheryl Crow celebrates Eric Church’s charitable heart
Rock icon Sheryl Crow helped celebrate the night’s final honoree, Eric Church, who was given the ACM Lifting Lives Award for being an artist dedicated to quiet service. ACM Lifting Lives is the organization’s charitable arm.
After Crow delivered a loose, rowdy version of Church’s hit “Drink in My Hand,” she described the country star as a humble leader determined to make a difference, especially in his home state of North Carolina.
When the region was devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024, Church took action. He organized a charity concert which featured Crow and others, and used the money to help rebuild. That work continues, but Church was proud to say 37 families had already been rehoused in one Western North Carolina county, and another 41 nearby.
“It was because of music that that happened,” Church explained. “It's changing those lives. It's changing their kids' lives. It's changing their future. … music is more powerful than you can ever comprehend.”
As the show closed, it was clear why the Academy of Country Music had put on a separate awards ceremony from the more well-known ACM Awards. There is always plenty to celebrate in country music.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Top moments from the 19th ACM Honors: Dolly Parton, Megan Moroney, more
