The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards was held Sunday, April 18, 2021, in Nashville Tennessee at the Grand Ole Opry, a change from Las Vegas, Nevada. Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton co-hosted together for the first time with amazing chemistry. Their first collaboration was during last year’s delayed ACM in September when they sang Guyton’s “Black Like Me.” 

The audience of this year’s show was a small group of vaccinated healthcare workers. They witnessed twenty-four amazing performances as well as Mickey Guyton being the first Black woman to host the ACM. She has broken records within the music industry and broken the glass ceiling and will continue to do so. She was so excited to co-host this event and told NBC “My hopes are to bring positive light and love and acceptance to this job.” 

Some of the top performances of the event were Dierks Bentley and The War and Treaty performing “Pride,” Carrie Underwood feat. Cece Winans with “My Savior” Medley, and Ashley McBryde singing “Martha Divine.” 

The performances were spectacular as well as the fashion. For the women, this is most notably seen by Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert. Ballerini showed up looking stunning in an emerald green dress from Dolce & Gabbana and mid-show she changed into a fabulous mini denim dress to embrace her country style. On the other hand, Lambert arrived in more classic country attire with a full denim look accompanied by white boots and to finish the look it was accessorized with tons of turquoise jewelry. Nevertheless, both ladies looked amazing. The best-dressed man was arguably Leslie Jordan with a beautifully embroidered mustard suit. He rocked the red carpet with his contiguous simile and wild poses. 

Freshman Austin Milligan, an avid country listener, says “I’m surprised that Luke Bryan won entertainer of the year I thought Luke Combs would because he had released a bunch of new music this year and all of them were actually good.” She was even more annoyed that Luke Combs did not even win male artist of the year which was awarded to Thomas Rhett. Despite being disappointed about those award winners she is over the moon about Maren Morris winning female artist of the year.   

Senior Cali Liu was very surprised that Old Dominion won Group of the Year since she did not even know the group previously. She really wanted Lady A to win. For the Duo of the Year Liu wanted the Florida Georgia Line to win due to being a huge fan instead of Dan + Shan. 

Nevertheless, the show was a success. From its amazing performances to the beautiful outfits the stars wore.