Several Records Could Be Broken at This Year’s ACM Awards

I've been watching the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards and the ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards for decades. When I watch these shows, I always like to see something different. By that I mean, it's always nice to see someone different walk up to the stage to get their award.

ACM Awards

However, at the 61st Annual ACM Awards this Sunday, May 17th, I'm going to be watching for new faces, but I'm also going to be looking for records to fall or to be extended. That could happen multiple times on award night.

Let's break it down.

Miranda Lambert

The country superstar "leads the league" in gold trophies. Beginning with the ACM CoverGirl "Fresh Face of Country Music" award in 2005, Miranda Lambert has collected 34 awards from the Academy.

This year, Miranda received six ACM nominations, including Female Vocalist of the Year, a category she has won nine times, five more than her closest competition (Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire have each won four). She can't win all six because she's competing against herself in the Song of the Year category; she's a co-writer on "A Song to Sing," her Top 20 duet with Chris Stapleton, and "Choosin' Texas," Ella Langley's chart-topping blockbuster, which has spent nearly six months atop Billboard Hot Country Songs.

I'd say Miranda Lambert could be a heavy favorite to win her 35th ACM for the latter.

Chris Stapleton

Since we mentioned Chris Stapleton, let's talk about his opportunity to break a record set by no less than country icon George Strait. That's right, King George currently holds the title of "male artist with the most ACM wins at 24. Stapleton has 21 but could eclipse the King of Country with four wins in the five categories in which he is nominated this year. Chris could also tie Merle Haggard for the most wins in the Male Artist category. Chris has five; The Hag won six. We'll see what happens.

Lainey Wilson

Only Carrie Underwood has ever won three ACM Entertainer of the Year Awards, but Lainey could tie that mark in 2026. If she does, she'll be the first female to win it in three consecutive years.

Brooks & Dunn

The venerable duo already has more Duo of the Year ACM Awards than any other pair. They've won 17, but they could extend that record in 2026. And why not? Their most recent victory was just last year, so why couldn't they pick up Number 18 on May 17th?

Ella Langley

Country music's newest superstar has already been busy shattering Billboard chart records, so why not add one via an ACM win for Single of the Year. Again, "Choosin' Texas" is one of the biggest hits of the decade and is well-positioned to win this award. Only two other females--Miranda Lambert ("Over You" in 2013 and "Mama's Broken Heart" in 2014) and Faith Hill ("It's Your Love" in 1998 and "This Kiss" in 1999)--have won the category in consecutive years.

You'll find a complete list of all the records that could be set or broken this year at vegasinsider.com.

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The Academy of Country Music Awards are always a lot of fun, but more so now because they've moved to a streaming platform, freeing the ceremony of rigid network time constraints. But with so many records on the line, the stakes are much higher in 2026, making this years awards that much more exciting.

The ACM Awards will stream on Prime Video, Amazon Music via Twitch, and the Amazon Music app this Sunday night, May 17th, at 7 PM Central.