Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Eric Church & More to Be Saluted at 2026 ACM Honors: Updated List

Carly Pearce will host the event for the sixth year, this time alongside Parker McCollum. 7/28/2026 Kacey Musgraves at The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards held at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. Christopher Polk/Dick Clark Productions UPDATE (July 28): The Academy of Country Music has announced presenters and performers for the 19th ACM Honors, which will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Performers set to take the stage include Avery Anna, Big Kenny, Carly Pearce, Carter Faith, Dierks Bentley, Dylan Scott, Gabriella Rose, Gavin Adcock, Kaitlin Butts, Mark Collie, Margo Price, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum and Trisha Yearwood. Brenda Lee will appear as a special guest. Zach John King will present the ACM Studio Recording and Industry Awards. The academy also announced that there will be a special tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton, who will be honored with the ACM Poet’s Award, alongside previously announced honorees Brett James and The Carter Family (who will both be honored posthumously). Parton will accept the honor via a special video message. PREVIOUSLY (June 24): Kacey Musgraves, Eric Church, Bill Anderson and the Paramount+ TV series Landman are among those to be saluted at the 19th Academy of Country Music Honors, which is set for Wednesday, Aug. 19, at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Behind-the-scenes industry players who will be honored include Leslie Fram, Mike Curb and Scott Zolke. C2C: Country to Country, Europe’s biggest country music festival, will be honored. Two awards will be presented posthumously — to the legendary The Carter Family and to songwriter Brett James. Four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce will return for the sixth year as the event’s host, this time alongside three-time ACM Award winner Parker McCollum, who is cohosting for the first time. Performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Previously announced ACM artist-songwriter of the year winner Ella Langley, ACM songwriter of the year winner Jessie Jo Dillon, as well as ACM Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners, will be feted at the event. Tickets will be available for ACM A-List subscribers and ACM members beginning Wednesday, June 24, at 10 a.m. CT. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT on Friday, June 26, through AXS. Here’s a full list of the honorees at the 2026 ACM Honors. ACM Spirit Award: Kacey Musgraves This award is presented to an honoree who exemplifies Merle Haggard’s dedication to country music and passion for storytelling through music and performance. Middle of Nowhere, Musgraves’ sixth studio album, reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Musgraves, 37, has received eight Grammy Awards, including album of the year for Golden Hour, and seven ACM Awards. She has been recognized by TIME as one of its Women of the Year, honored with the Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards, celebrated by Billboard’s Women in Music and Variety’s Power of Women, received the Songwriter Icon Award from the National Music Publishers’ Association, and was the subject of the comprehensive Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit, “Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors.” Past recipients include Cody Johnson, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton. ACM Poet’s Award: Dolly Parton, Brett James and The Carter Family This award recognizes a country music songwriter whose work has had an enduring impact on shaping the country music genre with exceptional lyrical and musical contributions. Parton, 80, will accept her honor via video message. James and The Carter Family will each be honored posthumously. James died in September 2025 at age 57. Parton is receiving the ACM Poet’s Award in recognition of her decades-long impact as one of country music’s most gifted and influential songwriters. A 13-time ACM Award recipient, Parton’s has hosted the ACM Awards three times. Parton has long been one of America’s most acclaimed songwriters. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. She received the SHOF’s highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award, in 2007. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She was the second woman to be admitted into both Halls of Fame, following Brenda Lee. Parton received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006 and a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2011. Parton has won three Grammys in songwriting categories, including best country song for “9 to 5.” That song was also nominated for an Oscar for best original song, one of two Oscar nods Parton has received. James’ songwriting and producing career included working with the top names in country music. The four-time ACM Awards nominee wrote hits for Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert and more. James won a Grammy for best country song as a cowriter of Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” was a two-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. The Carter Family, widely known as The First Family of Country Music, is known for pioneering the sound of country music as we know it today. The Carter Family — which included A.P. Carter, Sara Carter and Maybelle Carter — was discovered by a talent scout at the 1927 Bristol Sessions and quickly rose to prominence with their unique harmonies and guitar sound that became the backbone of country music. They were the first group to record commercially produced country music, with hits including “Keep on the Sunny Side,” “Wildwood Flower” and “I’m Thinking To-Night of My Blue Eyes.” The Carter Family previously won ACM’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, received a lifetime achievement award at the 2005 Grammy Awards and was the first group to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970. Past recipients include Bill Anderson, Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rodney Crowell, Dean Dillon, Kye Fleming, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Mac McAnally, Willie Nelson, K.T. Oslin, Buck Owens, Eddie Rabbitt, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Billy Joe Shaver, Shel Silverstein, Sonny Throckmorton, Shania Twain, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams. ACM Lifting Lives Award: Eric Church This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives board of directors. Church, 49, is receiving the award for his contributions to large-scale disaster-relief fundraising and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene. Church’s Helene efforts started with the Concert for Carolina that he organized with Luke Combs. He then donating all royalties from “Darkest Hour,” and he remains active in helping North Carolina rebuild. His charitable fund — Chief Cares — was created in 2013 to serve those in need and strengthen communities. Through Chief Cares, Church is currently helping North Carolina rebuild with a housing initiative (Blue Haven) to build rent-free, mortgage-free homes. Additionally, he has given millions in support, including helping orphanages in Nepal, relief efforts in Haiti and Humane Society no-kill shelters. He has supported ACM Lifting Lives directly, participating in the 2021 Ad Council and COVID Collaborative public service advertisement during the 56th ACM Awards. Past recipients are Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Troy Vollhoffer, Dwight Wiles, Paul Barnabee, Ross Copperman, Lady A, Gayle Holcomb, Darius Rucker, Dolly Parton and Carrie Underwood. ACM Film Award: Landman (Paramount+) This award honors a television series, television movie or feature film released within the past calendar year that prominently showcases country music. Landman is Taylor Sheridan’s hit Paramount+ television series starring Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Sam Elliott, Jacob Lofland and Demi Moore. Set deep in the oilfields of Texas, the drama explores the ups and downs of the oil business, family dynamics, wealth and power. The show’s soundtrack includes country and Americana hits as well as original songs created for the show. Featured artists include George Strait, Tyler Childers, Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Flatland Cavalry, Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Luke Grimes and Zach Bryan. Past recipients include A Star Is Born, Country Strong, Nashville, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Sweet Dreams, Twisters and Walk the Line. ACM Icon Award: Bill Anderson and Mike Curb This award honors a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader whose multifaceted contributions across songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works and philanthropic efforts have positively impacted the country music genre and community. Known as “Whisperin’ Bill,” Anderson, 88, rose to fame in the late 1950s by writing the song “City Lights,” which was first performed by Ray Price and became a No. 1 country hit. Anderson went on to become one of country music’s most successful songwriters and artists, with songwriting credits including George Strait’s “Give It Away,” Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss’ “Whiskey Lullaby” and Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot of Things Different.” He won an ACM Award in 2007 for cowriting “Give It Away,” and was the first recipient of the ACM Poet’s Award in 2008. Other accolades include five Grammy nominations and inductions into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1975), Country Music Hall of Fame (2001) and Songwriters Hall of Fame (2018). He is also the longest-standing member of the Grand Ole Opry. Curb, 81, is a producer and songwriter, as well as the founder and owner of Curb Records, a leading independent record label. Since entering the music industry in the 1960s, Curb has worked with the likes of Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Lyle Lovett, Wynonna Judd, Rodney Atkins, Lee Brice, Dylan Scott, Kelsey Hart, Hank Williams Jr. and Jo Dee Messina. He has cowritten hits and themes for numerous films and television series. Outside of music, Curb served as Lt. Governor of California from 1979 to 1983 and established the Mike Curb Foundation, which provides funds to support music education, preserve historical music sites, aid homelessness initiatives and more. He has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Music City Walk of Fame. He was first elected to the ACM board of directors in 1991. Past recipients include Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Mike Dungan, Joe Galante, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, George Jones, The Judds, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, George Strait, Conway Twitty, Ben Vaughn, Hank Williams, Trisha Yearwood and Dwight Yoakam. ACM Lift Every Voice Award: Leslie Fram This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group, industry leader or affiliate/partner who plays a pivotal role in elevating underrepresented voices throughout the country music genre, transcending demographics and geography. Throughout her career at CMT, Fram, 69, has challenged industry norms, championed emerging talent and created platforms that have transformed opportunities for women and diverse artists across the genre. Recognizing that women were not being adequately represented in country music, Fram launched CMT’s Next Women of Country franchise in 2013 to provide opportunities for performers who often lacked access to tours, exposure and industry support. The initiative has helped amplify the careers of artists including Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, Ashley McBryde and Brittney Spencer. Under her leadership, CMT launched Equal Play, a groundbreaking commitment to equal representation of male and female artists across its music platforms. Fram’s advocacy extends beyond gender equity. As a co-founder of Change the Conversation, Nashville Music Equality and Equal Access, she has worked to create greater opportunities for people of color both on stage and within executive leadership. For more than a decade, Fram has used her platform, influence, and leadership to ensure that country music better reflects the breadth of talent and perspectives within its community. Past recipients are BRELAND, Shannon Sanders and Rissi Palmer. ACM Service Award: Scott Zolke This award recognizes a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who has served the Academy of Country Music. As a partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP, Zolke has represented a variety of television, media, radio, sports and music clients, including the Academy of Country Music. Recently, Zolke represented ACM in negotiations with Amazon Prime Video, securing a multiyear renewal agreement for the ACM Awards to exclusively livestream on the platform. Past recipients include Lori Badgett, Mickey Christensen, Chris Christensen, Eddie Miller, RAC Clark, Duane Clark, Bill Mayne and Charlie Cook. ACM International Award: C2C: Country to Country This award is presented to a country music artist, group or industry leader for outstanding efforts in expanding country music’s influence worldwide. C2C: Country to Country is recognized as Europe’s biggest country music festival, spanning multiple cities including London, Glasgow, Manchester, Berlin and Rotterdam. The festival’s 2026 headliners included Brooks & Dunn, Zach Top and Keith Urban. Previous headliners include Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Reba McEntire and Eric Church. C2C’s commitment to Europe’s country music fans and trailblazing a path for country music artists to bring their work to international audiences has been invaluable to the growth of the genre and further cementing it as a global genre. Past recipients include Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up