Dierks Bentley To Host 7th Annual ACM Honors

This is Bentley’s second consecutive time hosting the event and the fourth time the ceremony will be held at the Ryman Auditorium. The evening is sponsored in part by American Airlines, City National Bank and Spot Shot.

Those being honored include Special Award recipients Jason Aldean, Guy Clark, Blake Shelton, Tommy Wiggins, Lady Antebellum and The Judds. Keith Whitley and Hank Williams will also be honored posthumously. The evening also recognizes winners of the MBI (musician, bandleader, instrumentalist) and Industry categories, which are not presented during the live telecast of the Academy of Country Music Awards. In addition, Dallas Davidson will be recognized as the winner of Songwriter of the Year.

“I really didn’t know what to expect last year when they asked me to host, but it was a total blast. There are no cameras like there are at a regular award show, so anything goes,” said Bentley. “The ACM put together a really special show honoring some important people in our business, and I’m just glad I earned an invitation back…despite some of my off-script jokes!”

“Dierks set a new standard for ACM Honors hosts last year, approaching the event with both reverence for each honoree and with a shot of colorful humor – the fans responded to him and we are so excited to have him return this year,” said Lisa Lee, producer and writer for ACM Honors. “His talent, passion and respect for country music make him ideally suited to host this unique Academy event.”

The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are awarded during years that the Board of Directors feels there are clear and deserving candidates. Honorees include:

Jason Aldean – Crystal Milestone Award
Guy Clark – Poet’s Award
Blake Shelton – Gene Weed Special Achievement Award
Keith Whitley (posthumously) – Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
Tommy Wiggins – Mae Boren Axton Award
Hank Williams (posthumously) – Poet’s Award
Lady Antebellum – Jim Reeves International Award
The Judds – Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award

The winners of the Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist (MBI) awards are voted on by Academy of Country Music members classified in the Artist-Entertainer/MBI category and the Producer/Engineer/Studio Manager subcategory (contained within the Affiliated category) on the final ballot. Honorees include:

Chuck Ainlay – Audio Engineer of the Year
Matt Chamberlain – Percussionist/Drummer of the Year
J.T. Corenflos – Guitarist of the Year
Aubrey Haynie – Fiddle Player of the Year
Mike Johnson – Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Jay Joyce – Producer of the Year
Michael Rojas – Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Jimmie Lee Sloas – Bass Player of the Year
Ilya Toshinsky – Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year

The winners of the Industry Awards categories are voted on by the membership of the Academy of Country Music on the third and final ballot. Honorees include:

Jerry Hufford, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar – Promoter of the Year
Joe’s Bar (Chicago, IL) – Nightclub of the Year
Red Rock Casino & Resort (Las Vegas, NV) – Casino of the Year
Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN) – Venue of the Year

The Songwriter of the Year Award winner is determined by a vote of Academy of Country Music members classified in the Artist-Entertainer/MBI, Composer, Music Publisher/PRO and Record Company and the Producer/Engineer/Studio Manager subcategory (contained within the Affiliated category) on the final ballot. Honoree includes:

Dallas Davidson