The ACM took a very unique approach to COVID safety this year, with three separate venues rather than a single large one. It worked extremely well. Award shows are lengthy, and they provided a welcome change of pace and scenery to keep the night fresh.

Maren Morris has been dominating the country charts all year, and it's no surprise to see her do as well as she did. She lead the night with three wins in big categories, including Song of the Year and Female Artist of the year. That's back to back Artist of the year awards for Morris, who's been establishing her legacy sooner rather than later.

A COVID diagnosis might keep him off The Voice, but the country star hopped on Zoom last night to accept his Entertainer of the Year Award, tying Miranda Lambert's record with three wins.

Last night, we saw Jimmie Allen become the first black artist to win New Male Artist, and Kane Brown did the same in the Video of the Year category. Congratulations to both of them on a long overdue accomplishment!

Performing, "Maggie's Song", Chris Stapleton took the stage alongside country legend Miranda Lambert for a heartfelt performance to remember. If you don't want to cry, don't search it up. It's an ode to his late dog, as if anything can be more sad than that.

Little Big Town has been the talk of, well, the town, all year, and it was only fitting that they'd close out the night with a fiery performance of "Wine, Beer, Whiskey".

Entertainer of the Year

• Luke Bryan 
• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton

Female Artist of the Year

• Maren Morris
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Carly Pearce

• Thomas Rhett 
• Dierks Bentley
• Luke Combs
• Eric Church
• Chris Stapleton

• Dan + Shay
• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

• Old Dominion
• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• The Cadillac Three
• The Highwomen

• Gabby Barrett
• Ingrid Andress
• Tenille Arts
• Mickey Guyton
• Caylee Hammack

• Jimmie Allen
• Travis Denning
• HARDY
• Cody Johnson
• Parker McCollum

• "Starting Over" — Chris Stapleton 
• "Born Here Live Here Die Here" — Luke Bryan
• "Mixtape Vol. 1" — Kane Brown
• "Never Will" — Ashley McBryde
• "Skeletons" — Brothers Osborne

• "I Hope You're Happy Now" — Carly Pearce and Lee Brice 
• "Bluebird" — Miranda Lambert
• "I Hope" — Gabby Barrett
• "More Hearts Than Mine"— Ingrid Andress
• "The Bones" — Maren Morris

• "The Bones" — Maren Morris
• "Bluebird" — Miranda Lambert
• "One Night Standards" — Ashley McBryde
• "Some People Do" — Old Dominion
• "Starting Over" — Chris Stapleton

• "Worldwide Beautiful" — Kane Brown
• "Better Than We Found It" — Maren Morris
• "Bluebird" — Miranda Lambert
• "Gone" — Dierks Bentley
• "Hallelujah" — Carrie Underwood and John Legend

Music Event of the Year

• "I Hope You're Happy Now" — Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
• "Be A Light" — Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
• "Does To Me" — Luke Combs feat. Eric Church
• "Nobody But You" — Blake Shelton ft. Gwen Stefani
• "One Beer" — HARDY ft. Lauren Alaina & Devin Dawson
• "One Too Many" — Keith Urban, P!nk