10 Iconic Moments from the Academy of Country Music Awards

Happy ACM week, y’all!

Beginning today, the city of Las Vegas officially goes Country in honor of the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. In addition to the ACM Awards on Sunday (April 7), the Academy of Country Music hosts Party for a Cause, a string of events featuring the genre’s top artists while giving back to ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, which works to lift lives through the power of music.

54th Academy of Country Music Awards: Complete Coverage

This year’s ACM Awards are bound to be the best one yet. From Reba McEntire returning to host for the sixteenth time and Jason Aldean receiving the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award to artists like Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Combs (ACM New Male Artist of the Year), Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Khalid, Miranda Lambert, LANCO (ACM New Group of the Year), Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde (ACM New Female Artist of the Year), Old Dominion, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban on the performance lineup, Sunday’s show will have us talking for days. 

54th ACM Awards: Winner Predictions

To get you excited for the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, CS Country rounded up ten iconic moments that completely floored us during past ACM Awards. Keep scrolling below to see if some of your favorite memories made the list!

Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards air LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 7th @ 8PM ET/PT on CBS.

Remember when Sam Hunt performed his hit single (that’s still a bop) “Body Like A Back Road?” As much as we LOVE Sam, the moment of the night had to be when he ran into the crowd to serenade his wife Hannah Lee Fowler! While she was clearly embarrassed, millions at home were shipping them SO hard, hoping to find love as genuine as theirs. 

In 2017, Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins slayed the red carpet. Donning a sparkly gown, Lauren proved that you can still look sexy while being pregnant! *We low-key hope Ada James makes an appearance on Sunday’s red carpet*

A photo that needs no explanation (and to be framed on our wall). Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan’s ACM bromance in 2015. 

In 2008, then country princess Taylor Swift did an exceptionally entertaining performance of her smash hit “Should’ve Said No.” Her signature touch of drama was added in with a black hoodie and finale of water!

Who remembers when Tim McGraw and Faith Hill made us feel not worthy with their performance of “Speak To A Girl?” AND THAT KISS!?!?!?! #RELATIONSHIPGOALS. 

Shania Twain’s performance of “Forever and Always” in 2003 will — no joke — forever and always be in our hearts. 

Kelsea Ballerini gave us *major* Beyoncé vibes in this glittery ensemble during her performance of “Yeah Boy” at the 2017 ACMs. *Spoiler Alert* we’re STILL obsessed with the song AND this outfit. 

Backstreet’s back.. with Florida Georgia Line! We are STILL shook from the MASSIVE mashup performance of “God, Your Mama, And Me” and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).”

The only thing better than a performance by Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift or Keith Urban is a performance by all three together! Remember when the trio teamed up for “Highway Don’t Care” at the 2013 ACM Awards? Keith totally shredded the guitar!

They say save the best for last, right? Carrie Underwood’s emotional performance of “Cry Pretty” at the 2018 ACM Awards was nothing short of spectacular. Suffering from a bad fall that resulted in a serious facial injury, Carrie proved she’s a true fighter by returning stronger than ever, glitter tears and all!