Eric Church, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, and Randy Travis Among Country Greats Honored at 18th Annual ACM Honors
- All Country News
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Nashville's ACM Honors Returns August 20 to Celebrate Legends, Game-Changers, and Unforgettable Milestones in Country Music.
Country Music has raised the bar once again. On August 20, 2025, the ACM will host the 18th Annual ACM Honors at The Pinnacle, Nashville’s newest state-of-the-art venue, shining a long-overdue spotlight on some of the genre’s most influential voices, fearless innovators, and behind-the-scenes trailblazers. The evening will serve as both a celebration and a tribute to the individuals who are defining, elevating, and preserving country music in ways that will echo for generations.
Among the heavy-hitters receiving Special Awards this year are Eric Church, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, and Randy Travis, names that have not only dominated the charts but have shifted the very narrative of the genre. Also honored are powerhouse songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, genre-defying artist Jelly Roll, cultural curator Rissi Palmer, and the team behind the blockbuster film Twisters and its groundbreaking country music soundtrack.
The Icons and the Innovators
Few artists embody the rebellious heart of modern country quite like Eric Church, who will be awarded the ACM Icon Award alongside music executive Ben Vaughn, the late architect of careers for artists like Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves. Church’s genre-defying catalogue and his fearless use of platform, including his decision to sign over royalties from Darkest Hour to North Carolina relief efforts mark him not only as a musical visionary but as a force for good.
Another genre titan, Luke Combs, will be honored with the ACM International Award. With sold-out stadiums across Europe and Oceania, and a streaming reach that surpasses 10 billion, Combs is not just a stateside superstar, he’s global. His mix of traditional storytelling with international accessibility continues to widen country music’s footprint.
Cody Johnson will receive the ACM Spirit Award, named for Merle Haggard. A true Texas troubadour, Johnson’s independent rise and unwavering dedication to traditional country have earned him comparisons to the very legends he grew up idolizing. He’s proof that authenticity and grassroots hustle still have a powerful place in modern country.
And then there’s Randy Travis, who will be honored with the ACM Milestone Award. The legendary artist helped usher in the new traditionalist movement and has since become a symbol of resilience following a life-altering stroke. His recent embrace of AI technology to revive and preserve unreleased music is as groundbreaking as it is touching, a bridge between history and the future.
The Groundbreakers Behind the Music
Country music has always been as much about the song as it is about the singer. The ACM will recognize Mac McAnally with the ACM Poet’s Award for his decades of genre-shaping songwriting. From Jimmy Buffett to Kenny Chesney to Alabama, McAnally’s pen has crafted stories that still resonate today.
Jessie Jo Dillon, a back-to-back winner of the ACM Songwriter of the Year award, will also be honored. Known for her sharp lyrical depth and emotional range, Dillon continues to shape the modern sound of country radio while carrying the torch for the next generation of storytellers.
Lainey Wilson, the reigning queen of country’s current wave, will be celebrated as ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year, marking her sixteenth ACM win and solidifying her as a modern-day icon in the making.
Changing the Narrative
In a genre long scrutinized for its lack of diversity, Rissi Palmer stands as a beacon. Awarded the ACM Lift Every Voice Award, Palmer has blazed trails as both a performer and advocate. Her Color Me Country radio show and foundation have created platforms and provided direct financial support to artists of color — real, tangible change that is reshaping the future of country music.
Jelly Roll, whose blend of country, hip-hop, and heart-on-his-sleeve storytelling has earned him a loyal following, will take home the ACM Lifting Lives Award. His philanthropic efforts, from juvenile justice visits to advocacy before Congress underscore how music can be a lifeline.
The Stories Behind the Spotlight
The ACM also honors the vital work being done behind the curtain. Lori Badgett, a financial and organizational backbone of the country music industry, will be awarded the ACM Service Award for over 25 years of tireless work in both the business and philanthropic sectors. Her role in anchoring ACM’s relocation from Los Angeles to Nashville was a seismic move that re-centered the Academy within the heart of the genre.
The ACM Film Award goes to Twisters, the 2024 summer blockbuster whose soundtrack stands as a milestone in itself, the first all-original country music compilation for a major motion picture since Urban Cowboy in 1980. With 29 original songs from stars like Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson, the album, produced by Atlantic and Universal Pictures, shows how country music continues to find new, thrilling ways to stay relevant and dynamic.
A Night to Celebrate What Makes Country Great
As ACM Chair Kerri Edwards aptly put it, “This year’s ACM Special Awards honorees each have played an essential role in country music’s success.” The 18th Annual ACM Honors is set to be more than an awards show — it’s a love letter to a genre that continues to evolve without forgetting where it came from.
From the timeless grit of Randy Travis to the relentless rise of Lainey Wilson, from Church’s defiance to Palmer’s advocacy, this year’s honorees reflect a genre rich in diversity of sound, of story, and of spirit.
Tickets go on sale July 11 via AXS, with presale access beginning July 10 for ACM A-List subscribers and members. Performers for the event will be announced soon, promising a night of unforgettable performances that match the weight of the honors.
It’s country music’s past, present, and future all under one roof, all on one unforgettable night.
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