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7 Moments From The 2023 ACM Honors

The 16th ACM Honors were held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last night (8/23), and several country stars were awarded. Carly Pearce again hosted the ceremony, which honored Chris Stapelton, Tim McGraw,…

7 Moments From The 2023 ACM Honors
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

The 16th ACM Honors were held at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium last night (8/23), and several country stars were awarded. Carly Pearce again hosted the ceremony, which honored Chris Stapelton, Tim McGraw, Kane Brown, Clint Black, and others for their contributions to country music. Other industry vets being honored were Charlie Cook, the late Charlie Daniels, Mike Dungan, Bill Mayne,  K.T. Oslin, and Troy Vollhoffer.

Before the show, Kerri Edwards, Chair of the ACM Special Awards Committee, said in a statement, "This year's ACM Special Award honorees have made a tremendous impact on the music we know and love, from icons and veteran executives who have shaped and steered the industry for years, to newer artists making a splash and welcoming fresh audiences into the community, and I am so excited about celebrating them in August at what is always one of the best nights of the year."

Carly said, "The Academy of Country Music has played such a crucial role in the rise of my career in the last several years, giving me opportunities to expand my artistry with hosting. To be able to come back as the host of the ACM Honors for the third year in a row, I feel so grateful and excited for what I know will be such a special night!"

For the event, honorees and presenters walked the small red carpet outside of the event in downtown Nashville. Many stars, Including Kane Brown, stopped to chat with and sign autographs for fans who waited outside of country music's "Mother Church" (Ryman Auditorium) to get a glimpse of their favorite stars.

The 16th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors will air on FOX for a second year, airing Monday, September 18 at 8 PM ET.

Tim McGraw with his wife Faith Hill and daughters wearing white and black

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Audrey McGraw, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Maggie McGraw attend the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)


Chris Stapleton holding ACM honor wearing his usual back button down shirt

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: Chris Stapleton, winner of the ACM Triple Crown Award, attends the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)


Kane Brown holding his AXCM honor earring a beige polo

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: Kane Brown, winner of the ACM International Award, attends the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)


BRELAND accepting award in a brown jacket with Keith Urban looking on

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: BRELAND accepts the Lift Every Voice Award onstage during the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM)


Clint Black holding his ACM Honor with Lady A

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Charles Kelley, Clint Black, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood attend the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)


HARDY with Bailey Zimmerman Hardy is wearing a black shirt and Bailey is wearing a white polo

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Bailey Zimmerman and HARDY attend the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)


Songwriter Ashley Gorley accepting his ACM Honor in a black suit

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: Ashley Gorley accepts the ACM Songwriter of the Year Award onstage during the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM)

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.