All the Highlights and What You May Have Missed

Though it trodded unfamiliar ground for 2025, the ACM Honors once again succeeded at honoring the often unsung heroes of country music in style.

Taking place on Aug. 20, 2025, at the newly constructed Pinnacle venue in Nashville, the 18th installment of the industry-favorite evening deviated from its usual home of the historic Ryman Auditorium for this year’s event. Still, it maintained the same level of reverence — and iconic moments — that the yearly event has become known for.

Take a peek at what went down on one of country music’s most important nights below.

Carly Pearce Takes on Her Third Consecutive Year Running the Show (with New Cohosts)

Carly Pearce has come back to the ACM Honors once again for her third consecutive year hosting the show, and fifth hosting gig overall, but this year new faces were by her side. Russell Dickerson shared the stage with Pearce, and up-and-coming “Brunette” singer Tucker Wetmore was tapped to share the stage and help present the Honors as well.

Pearce, 35, made sure to point out that the special night “shines a light on the behind-the-scenes individuals who make what we do possible,” with Dickerson, 38, calling out friends he could see in the intimate crowd, a diverse collection of country’s most important figures.

Though Wetmore, 25, joked that he has the “reading ability of a first-grader” and was unsure why he was selected to present in the first place, he showed continued reverence for the Academy and the pillars of country music as a whole while presenting key industry awards throughout the show.

Icons Were Honored

Eric Church and Ben Vaughn were selected as the 2025 recipients of the ACM Icon Award, with kudos given to Church’s commitment to maintaining the roots of country music.

Accepting the award, Church looked back at his early days cutting teeth in North Carolina, saying, “God had a bigger plan,” as he added, “I’ve been very blessed to be able to have a career.”

“It has been an honor to be able to do it my own way with music,” the musician, 48, continued. “Thank you guys, very much.”

Vaughn received the award posthumously after dying by suicide at 49 in January, and was honored for his work over decades as a voice for both emerging and superstar artists in the music industry. Until his death, Vaughn served as President and CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

To commemorate Vaughn’s life, Chris Janson, 39, performed a heart-wrenching new original song dedicated to the life and times of the late executive. 

Other notable icons, all of whom died within the last year, were also given their moment in the spotlight at the Honors. Aside from the late Vaughn, Brandon Blackstock, Jeannie Seely, Connie Francis and Mike Borchetta were given notable mentions to lead off the show, with each individually commended for their contributions to the music industry.

Luke Combs Goes (ACM) International

Luke Combs was commended at the 2025 ACM honors for his efforts to spread the message of country music internationally. Combs, who performed in 16 countries on his 2023 World Tour, became the first artist to sell out tours in both Australia and New Zealand. The award, which has previously gone to Dan + Shay, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, among others, is just another notch in Combs’ belt following a successful year of touring.

“I hope that I have shown to the fans that I care, the I have spent my time to go and play these shows in Europe, Australia,” Combs, 35, shared while accepting his award. “I always feel like country music was so sequestered to the United States for a period of time … I love you guys and I love country music.”

Earlier this week, Combs and wife Nicole announced they’re expecting their third child this winter.

Jelly Roll’s Ability to Lift Lives Was Lauded

Jelly Roll’s consistent philanthropic efforts were spotlighted by the Academy during the 2025 Honors, with the Nashville native, 40, receiving the ACM Lifting Lives Award as a result of his immense contributions to the likes of at-risk youth, incarcerated individuals and those navigating addiction. Though he did not attend as he was on The Big Ass Stadium Tour with Post Malone, he was commended for being a “fearless, passionate” voice for making a difference in others’ lives in a moving pre-recorded message.

“I miss being home,” Jelly said in a prerecorded message accepting the award, adding, “To accept an award like this … what better way to accept it than to give.”

The “Save Me” singer then boasted that “every dollar donated up to $100,000 I will match,” throughout the duration of the event to the ACM’s Lifting Lives efforts.

Randy Travis’ Icon Status Was Further Cemented with Milestone Award

A shining beacon of resilience and an example of one person’s sheer impact on the entirety of a genre, Randy Travis was honored by the Academy as the recipient of the ACM Milestone Award, bestowed upon those who have been a “leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of Country Music,” according to the Honors.

The neoclassical country singer, who appeared alongside his wife, Mary, was given kudos for his integration of emerging AI technology, allowing him to navigate the aftereffects of his 2013 stroke  and continue to deliver new music with his signature sound that fans have come to love over the years.

“Your voice has become part of time itself, it’s timeless,””the singer’s wife said of the legendary artist, locking arms with her husband who beamed from the stage as he accepted the award.

“I may not sing like I used to, but the music still lives deep within me,” she continued on her husband’s behalf, with Travis closing the speech by mustering a simple, joyous, “Thank you,” to roaring applause by attendees.

Stellar Performances Were Abundant Throughout

Only the Academy of Country Music can pack out a venue filled with a proverbial who’s who of country music on a balmy Wednesday night in August, and like Tennessee’s famed humidity, performers at this year’s honors certainly brought the heat.

With performers including Dickerson, Pearce, Janson, Jamey Johnson, Miko Marks, K. Michelle, Victoria Shaw and Luke Bryan, among others, the 2025 Honors delivered an electric evening that succeeded at championing those most deserving in its ranks. 

Pearce and Dickerson led off their cohosting duties with a rousing performance of Johnny and June Carter Cash’s “Jackson,” commanding the stage immediately with a presence only the two award winners could bring about.

Similar electric duet energy came by way of Carter Faith, 25, and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, 55, who joined together for a duet rendition of Morgan Wallen’s “Lies, Lies, Lies,” which was cowritten by Jessie Jo Dillon, 38, one of the night’s honorees.

Another rocking cover came via surprise guest HARDY, 35, who tributed Church with a head-bumping cover of the latter’s track “Homeboy.”

Similarly, Ashley McBryde, 42, took to the stage to perform a mega medley of “When It Rains It Pours,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Whoever You Turn Out to Be” and “Honky Tonk Highway” in honor of former tourmate Combs, injecting a unique, fully-acoustic vibe to the classic country party tracks and perfectly encapsulating the iconic artist’s discography.

As a testament to his contributions to the Twisters soundtrack, Wetmore took to the stage to perform his hit track “Already Had It,” which appears in the hit film.

Closing out the show, Bryan, 49, took to the stage to cover Spirit Award winner Cody Johnson’s chart-topping hit “Til You Can’t.”

Among all the electric performances, a standout moment was undoubtedly Amy Grant taking the stage. The six-time Grammy winner, 64, who wore a flowing, printed dress for the occasion, moved the crowd with a soulful solo cover of Mac McAnally’s 1992 hit track, “All These Years.”

“The most devout atheist in the world knows that she’s an angel,” McAnally, 68, joked of Grant while accepting the ACM Poet’s Award following her performance.

The 2025 ACM Honors air Saturday, Sept. 27 as a part of the CMT Hot 20 Countdown.