2022 ACM Awards recap: Full list of winners and biggest moments from the show
The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton and co-hosted by Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, streamed live on Amazon Prime Monday night from Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium.
Parton kicked off the show by saying that, despite the fact that she'd "rather pass a kidney stone" than get political, she wanted to "send our love and hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine." The superstar added, "So why don't we dedicate this entire show to them and pray for peace around this crazy ol' world?"
Miranda Lambert took home the night's top honor, Entertainer of the Year, for the first time. The superstar, who is currently in London, said, "my heart's a little broken" that she missed the ceremony for the first time in 17 years, adding, "I cannot believe I'm not there to celebrate."
This was Lambert's sixth time being nominated for the top prize, and she remarked, "I've been waiting for this for a really long time -- I actually never thought it would happen, but thank you so much to the country music family for embracing me all these years and continuing to support me."
"This one goes out to all the singer/songwriter girls out there that are putting their blood, sweat and tears into their guitar strings," Lambert concluded. "We did it. This is for us."
Embattled singer Morgan Wallen won the Album of the Year trophy for "Dangerous: The Double Album," and thanked "everyone who has shown me grace along the way."
The singer came under fire in early 2021 for using a racial slur in a leaked video, which he apologized for but received blowback from the industry. Wallen's music was taken off radio stations, he was barred from or deemed ineligible for awards shows, including last year's ACM Awards, and his record label suspended him "indefinitely." Despite this, fans kept the album at No. 1 for weeks.
Wallen seemingly addressed the controversy, saying, "To my son, this album and this award will signify that his daddy was a fighter, and that he chased his dreams and worked hard to make them a reality."
The night's other big winners were Chris Stapleton and Carly Pearce for Male and Female Artist of the Year, Old Dominion for Group of the Year and Brothers Osborne for Duo of the Year.
Lainey Wilson, who was named New Female Artist ahead of the ceremony, also won Song of the Year for "Things a Man Oughta Know."
As for performances, standouts included Chris Stapleton's powerful rendition of "Watch You Burn," written about the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting; Eric Church's 16-song medley of hits from his entire career; Kelly Clarkson's note-perfect rendition of "I Will Always Love You," a Parton classic; Gabby Barrett's cover of Lee Ann Womack's classic "I Hope You Dance" and Brothers Osborne and Brittney Spencer closing the show with "These Boots Are Made for Walkin.'"
Here's the complete list of winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Carly Pearce
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Stapleton
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Old Dominion
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lainey Wilson
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Parker McCollum
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"Dangerous: The Double Album" -- Morgan Wallen
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
"If I Didn't Love You" -- Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Things A Man Oughta Know" -- Lainey Wilson
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" -- Elle King and Miranda Lambert
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Michael Hardy
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
"Never Wanted to Be That Girl" -- Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
