The 2016 ACM Awards were following the pattern set by the CMAs with Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town logging major winds. But the nights biggest award, Entertainer of the Year, went to a first-timer, Jason Aldean.
2016 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominees & Winners
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean — WINNER
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Eric Church
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Eric Church
Brett Eldredge
Chris Stapleton — WINNER
Dierks Bentley
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Jana Kramer
Miranda Lambert — WINNER
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line — WINNER
Maddie + Tae
Joey + Rory
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town — WINNER
Rascal Flatts
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Album of the Year
Eric Church, Mr. Misunderstood
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Thomas Rhett, Tangled Up
Chris Young, I’m Comin’ Over
Chris Stapleton, Traveller — WINNER
New Male Vocalist of the Year
Brett Eldredge
Chris Janson
Thomas Rhett
Chase Rice
Chris Stapleton — WINNER
New Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini — WINNER
Cam
Mickey Guyton
RaeLynn
New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year
A Thousand Horses
Brothers Osborne
Maddie & Tae
Old Dominion — WINNER
Parmalee
Single Record of the Year
“Burning House,” Cam
“Buy Me a Boat,” Chris Janson
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett – WINNER!
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“I’m Comin’ Over,” Chris Young
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt
Video of the Year
“Biscuits,” Kacey Musgraves
“Burning House,” Cam
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“Mr. Misunderstood,” Eric Church — WINNER!
“Riser,” Dierks Bentley
Song of the Year
“Burning House,” Cam
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton — WINNER!
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
“She Don’t Love You,” Eric Paslay
Vocal Event of the Year
“Hangover Tonight,” Gary Allan (Feat. Chris Stapleton)
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan (Feat. Karen Fairchild)
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban (Feat. Eric Church)
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’,” Miranda Lambert (Feat. Little Big Town) — WINNER!
“Wild Child,” Kenny Chesney (Feat. Grace Potter)
Songwriter of the Year
Rodney Clawson
Ross Copperman — WINNER!
Ashley Gorley
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
Special Awards Categories
ACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber Award: Carrie Underwood
Career Achievement Award: Glen Campbell
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award: Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, the Statler Brothers
Crystal Milestone Award: Little Big Town
Jim Reeves International Award: Jeff Walker
Mae Boren Axton Award: Keith Urban
Poet’s Award: Eddie Rabbitt, Jimmy Webb
Tex Ritter Award: Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors
Studio Recording Awards
Bass Player of the Year: Michael Rhodes
Drummer of the Year: Shannon Forrest
Guitar Player of the Year: Derek Wells
Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year: Jim ‘Moose’ Brown
Specialty Instrumen(s) Player of the Year: Danny Rader
Steel Guitar Player of the Year: Paul Franklin
Audio Enginner of the Year: Justin Niebank
Producer of the Year: Dave Cobb