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MUSIC PEOPLE
NEWS
MAY 2021 Volume 52 Number 5 Issue 615
ACM AWARDS
Editor Duncan Warwick
Contributors David Allan , Janet Aspley , Donnie Ayers , Craig Baguley , Tony Byworth , Larry Delaney , Don Cusic , Julie Flaskett , Michael Hingston , Stan Hitchcock , Tony Ives , Spencer Leigh , John Lomax III , Adrian Peel , Paul Riley , Alex Rossi , Chris Smith , Tom Travis , Walt Trott , Jack Watkins New release consultant : Steve Tidbury
Assistant editor / Special projects coordinator Kelly Gregory
Photographers Patricia Presley , Barry Dixon , Billie McAleer
Advertising Major Media Sales Adrian Major - adrian @ majormediasales . com
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•¶ © ACM
M uch as they did in their delayed
awards show last year , the 56th
Academy of Country Music Awards again featured performances from historic Nashville venues The Ryman , The Grand Ole Opry , and The Bluebird Café on April 18 rather than their usual Las Vegas home . Last year ’ s ACMs were praised for the way they dealt with coronavirus restrictions and put the rival CMA Awards to shame with their presentation and organisation .
Morgan Wallen was of course banned , and most likely would have cleared up were he not , but the Academy kept good on their promise to feature black artists . Black Like Me singer Mickey Guyton cohosted , and rivalled Reba when it came to
WINNERS 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 & Lee Brice
Song of the Year : “ The Bones ” - Maren Morris
Video of the Year : “ Worldwide Beautiful ” - Kane Brown
Music Event of the Year : “ I Hope You ’ re Happy Now ” - Carly Pearce & Lee Brice
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