ACM Awards 60th Anniversary Gala

The Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives are hosting an exclusive and intimate gala honoring the achievements of 25-time ACM Award-winning duo Brooks & Dunn. 

The gala will take place on Wednesday, May 7, the night before the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards. The event will feature an elevated seated dinner, a curated silent auction, highlights from historic moments from the 60-year history of the Academy, the presentation of a special honor to Brooks & Dunn, and performances of Brooks & Dunn’s hits from Country Music’s top acts, including Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, and Lainey Wilson. The evening will be hosted by TV and Radio personality Bobby Bones. The Pre-Show and Live Auction will be presented by Shawn Parr. Proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable partner of the Academy of Country Music with a focus on mental health-based initiatives in the Country Music industry.

Tables and Individual Tickets are Available for Purchase through LiftingLives@acmcountry.com

ACM Lifting Lives Presents The Check-In Digital Series

ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music®, announced the official launch of its short-form original digital series ACM Lifting Lives Presents The Check-In, with the first episodes featuring Michael Ray, Jimmie Allen, Brett Eldredge, Lindsay Ell, John Osborne of Brothers Osborne.

“Music saved my life, time and time again,” Osborne said in his Check-In, which Ell echoed in her Check-In: “I think music is so powerful and is such a beautiful healing thing for mental health." In each episode, artists candidly delve deep into their own mental health experiences and challenges over the recent few years, while sharing how music has played a crucial role in their healing process.

The ongoing series, which has already been embraced across the industry and received recognition from major news outlets, including ABC News and Good Morning America, will roll out new episodes regularly to coincide with the opening of the 2022-2023 ACM Lifting Lives grant cycle. This grant cycle moves ACM Lifting Lives’ landmark COVID-19 Response Fund into its next phase, focusing on mental and emotional health support. 

“ACM Lifting Lives is proud to launch The Check-In, revealing a new side of the artists whose songs so often provide comfort to us during our times of need. The series allows artists to open up and show strength through their vulnerability and in the process acknowledge that they too are susceptible to the same mental and emotional challenges as fans all over the world,” said Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives. “We hope that through this series, we can work to normalize and de-stigmatize the conversation surrounding mental health, while continuing to highlight the uniquely important role music plays in healing.”

Full-length interviews are available for viewing at The Check-In | ACM Lifting Lives and on the Academy’s official YouTube channel.

First-ever ACM Lifting Lives® Topgolf Tee-off

Yesterday. the Academy of Country Music® presented the first-ever ACM Lifting Lives® Topgolf Tee-off at Topgolf Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Hotel & Casino as part of the 6^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause®.


Hosted by Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker, the event benefitted ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.

Darius Rucker and Charles Kelley hosted the fundraising event

 Over 30 country music artists – ranging from the most distinguished recording artists to the hottest emerging talent –  teamed up to compete in the Topgolf tournament. Players included Jimmie Allen, Shelby Blackstone, Lee Brice, Jillian Cardarelli, Luke Combs, Naomi Cooke, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Russell Dickerson, Jennifer Fiedler, Ashley Gorley, Adam Hambrick, Levi Hummon, Chris Janson, Charles Kelley, Chris Lane, Tegan Marie, Terry McBride, Scotty McCreery, Kip Moore, Jake Owen, Eric Paslay, Carly Pearce, Cassadee Pope, Raelynn, Brad Rempel, Curtis Rempel, Darius Rucker, Trey Smith, Cole Swindell, Jennifer Wayne and more.

Jake Owen

 Team Triple Tigers including Russell Dickerson and Scotty McCreery took home the trophy. The event also featured intimate fan performances by Levi Hummon, Chris Lane, Tegan Marie, Eric Paslay and Raelynn, as well as a set from Dee Jay Silver.

Luke Combs, Cole Swindell, Brantley Gilbert

Carly Pearce

ACM Stories, Songs & Stars: A Songwriter’s Event Benefitting ACM Lifting Lives®

On Friday night, the Academy of Country Music® presented ACM Stories, Songs & Stars: A Songwriter’s Event Benefitting ACM Lifting Lives® at The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as part of the 6^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause®. Portions of event proceeds benefitted ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.

Lee Brice and Lauren Alaina

Hosted by Storme Warren, the event featured performances by country music’s most distinguished songwriters and celebrated artists including Lee Brice, Little Big Town, Lori McKenna, Midland, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell and 53^rd ACM Awards® Songwriter of the Year nominees Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, plus surprise guests including Cam, Kip Moore, and Liz Rose.

Lori McKenna

 Rhett Akins was announced as the winner of this year’s ACM Songwriter of the Year award, which was presented to him by reigning Songwriter of the Year award winner Lori McKenna. Midland was also presented with trophies for their previously announced ACM Award win for New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year. Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, and Rhett Akins were onstage for the surprise presentation.

Little Big Town

 An upscale evening modeled after an old-fashioned guitar pull, ACM Stories, Songs & Stars featured ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees – ranging from the most commercially successful to the most critically-acclaimed composers – alongside some of the biggest names in country music performing the songs they composed, telling the stories behind how those collaborations came together.

Kip Moore

ACM Stories, Songs and Stars, benefiting ACM Lifting Lives

The Academy of Country Music® will present a songwriter event, ACM Stories, Songs & Stars, on Friday, April 13, 2018 at The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as part of the 6^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause®. An upscale evening modeled after an old-fashioned guitar pull, ACM Stories, Songs & Stars will feature 53rd ACM Awards® Songwriter of the Year nominees – ranging from the most commercially successful to the most critically-acclaimed composers – alongside some of the biggest names in country music performing the songs they composed, telling the stories behind how those collaborations came together. The celebration will also highlight surprise performers sharing the stories behind their biggest hits.

Hosted by Storme Warren, the event will feature performances by country music’s most distinguished songwriters and celebrated artists including Lee Brice, Little Big Town, Lori McKenna, Midland, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell and ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, plus a few surprise guests.

Portions of event proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives®, which works to lift lives through the power of music. For additional details and ongoing updates, visit www.PartyForaCause.com.

2018 ACM LIFTING LIVES® TOPGOLF TEE-OFF

The Academy of Country Music® announced that eleven-time ACM Award winner Charles Kelley of multi-platinum trio Lady Antebellum, and multi-platinum country music star Darius Rucker will host the first-ever ACM Lifting Lives® Topgolf Tee-Off on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Topgolf Las Vegas at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino during the highly-anticipated 6^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause®.

 

An update to the ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic, the inaugural event will provide fans a unique opportunity to take in LIVE performances from the hottest new talent in country music, all while artists compete in a tournament of golf skills. Fans can reserve premium Topgolf bays with stage views, food and beverage, and compete in their own competition to win various prizes, including an artist meet & greet. For non-golfers, general admission tickets are available for fans to hangout and enjoy the show. Performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Click here to make a reservation: https://topgolf.com/us/las-vegas/play/acm-lifting-lives/ 

 

Following in the legacy of the ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic, the ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off will raise funds and awareness for the ACM Lifting Lives Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. Established in 2007 by former Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives Board Chair Gayle Holcomb, in honor of her mother, the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund responds quickly to unforeseen, immediate financial needs of music related organizations and individuals.

 

The ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off is part of the 6^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® festivities set to take over the Las Vegas Strip April 12-15, 2018 leading up to and immediately following the 53^rd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

ACM STORIES, SONGS & STARS: A SONGWRITER’S EVENT BENEFITTING ACM LIFTING LIVES®

2017 ACM Party for a Cause: Songwriter Showcase (Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for ACM)

The Academy of Country Music® will present a songwriter event, ACM Stories, Songs & Stars, on Friday, April 13, 2018 at The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as part of the 6^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause®. Country music’s most distinguished songwriters and celebrated artists including Lee Brice, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, and Thomas Rhett have been revealed today as performers for the special event. Additional performers and attendees, including ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees, will be announced in the coming weeks. Portions of event proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives®, which works to lift lives through the power of music.

 

An upscale evening modeled after an old-fashioned guitar pull, ACM Stories, Songs & Stars will feature 53^rd ACM Awards® Songwriter of the Year nominees – ranging from the most commercially successful to the most critically-acclaimed composers – alongside some of the biggest names in country music performing the songs they composed, telling the stories behind how those collaborations came together. The celebration will also highlight surprise performers sharing the stories behind their biggest hits.

 

VIP table seating on the floor will be an exclusive experience including a cocktail reception and dinner. Additionally, seated tickets are available on the floor, mezzanine and balcony. Tickets starting at $55 are available for purchase NOW at www.PartyForaCause.com. For VIP table seating, email info@acmcountry.com.

 

ACM Stories, Songs & Stars is part of the 6^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® signature events set to take over the Las Vegas Strip April 12-15, 2018 leading up to and immediately following the 53^rd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

11th Annual ACM Honors Will Air Friday, September 15

The Academy of Country Music® recently presented the 11^th Annual ACM Honors™, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 52^nd Academy of Country Music Awards™. Portions of the event, held at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, were taped for a two-hour special that will air on Friday, September 15 (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

The event, sponsored by City National Bank, featured a star-studded lineup of live performances and award presentations celebrating Special Awards recipients Kelsea Ballerini (Gene Weed Milestone Award), Toby Keith (Poet’s Award), Bob Kingsley (Mae Boren Axton Service Award), Reba McEntire (Mae Boren Axton Service Award), “Nashville” (Tex Ritter Film Award), Dolly Parton (Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Shel Silverstein (Poet’s Award, awarded posthumously), and George Strait (Cliffie Stone Icon Award). The evening also honored winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards, along with Songwriter of the Year Award winner, Lori McKenna. 

Presenters who took the stage at the event included Jason Aldean, Bobby Bones, Ross Copperman, Chris Janson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Cassadee Pope, Hillary Scott, Jimmy Webb, and Brett Young.

George Strait has been chosen to receive the Cliffie Stone Icon Award. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who throughout their career has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.

Dolly Parton has been chosen to receive the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. 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, voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.

Tune in to CBS on Friday, September 15, to catch the two-hour special.

ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic Tees Up For a Cause

The Academy of Country Music® announced that for the first time Charles Kelley, of multi-platinum trio Lady Antebellum and eleven-time ACM Award winner, will host the ACM Lifting Lives® Golf Classic at TPC Las Vegas on Saturday, April 1, 2017. The “scramble” style golf tournament, being held for the sixth consecutive year at TPC Las Vegas, was initially created to meet the need for a charitable event to connect fans, sponsors and donors with industry insiders and artists. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need within the music industry.

 

Established by former Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives Board Chair Gayle Holcomb, in honor of her mother, the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund responds quickly to unforeseen, immediate financial needs of music related organizations and individuals. Since its inception in 2007, the Fund has distributed more than $500,000.

 

“I’ve been able to participate in the ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic tournament for the past couple of years, so I’m looking forward to stepping back up onto green again this year,” said Kelley. “Getting together with my buddies to play a round in Vegas is always the perfect way to head into the award show, especially when it’s also for a good cause."

 

The ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic will take place during the highly-anticipated “The Week Vegas Goes Country®,” including the 5^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® taking place March 30 – April 2, 2017 surrounding the 52^nd Academy of Country Music Awards™.

To learn more about the charity events surrounding this week, visit:

https://www.partyforacause.com/ 

 

5th Annual ACM Party for a Cause - Schedule Announced

The Academy of Country Music announced a return to the organization’s origins with an onslaught of events taking over Las Vegas – including a return and expansion of the 5^th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® -- in conjunction with the 52^nd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE for the first time ever from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

 

This year, ACM Party for a Cause will consist of industry and fan events located at different venues across Las Vegas including a new host hotel, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and several others from Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV.

Each of the festivities will feature performances by some of the biggest names and hottest new talent in country music including Kelsea Ballerini, Billy Currington, Ryan Follese, Lady Antebellum, LOCASH, Kip Moore, Jake Owen, Chris Stapleton, Michael Tyler, Clay Walker, Brett Young and many others. Festivities will also include interactive ACM fan experiences, which will be announced in the coming weeks. All events will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy, which works to lift lives through the power of music. 

 

“Fourteen years ago, when the Academy moved the Awards to Las Vegas, we kicked off a decade of wide-ranging special events for fans including a motorcycle ride through Las Vegas and the surrounding area, a golf tournament at a prestigious club, concerts on Fremont Street, games and a country lifestyle marketplace and loads of live country music performances. This year, we’re going back to our roots with the evolution of ACM Party for a Cause events taking place throughout Las Vegas, all benefiting ACM Lifting Lives and the good work of the many worthy organizations Lifting Lives supports through grants and more,” said Ed Warm, Chairman of ACM Lifting Lives and Co-Chairman of the ACM Events Committee. “It feels good to align all of our auxiliary events surrounding the ACM Awards with a philanthropic purpose the fans have always embraced.”

  

The 5^th ACM Party for a Cause schedule of events can be found here: www.ACMpartyforacause.com

Purchase your tickets now for this incredible event!

Superstar Artist Participation Drives Success of ACM Events Resulting in Record $1.5 Million Donation to ACM Lifting Lives®

Superstar country artists played a key role in the success of the 51^st Academy of Country Music Awards™, ACM Honors and other ACM events in 2016, resulting in a stellar year for the Academy – including reaching 11.7 million viewers with special country music moments during primetime in September alone -- and the highest-ever annual donation to ACM Lifting Lives - $1.5 million.

In April, the 51^st ACM Awards telecast returned to MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with hosts Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, which reached 11.2 million viewers on CBS. And for the first time ever this fall, ACM Honors became a televised special reaching more than 4 million viewers. In addition, the ACM-constructed one-of-a-kind musical collaboration featuring Keith Urban with Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town in the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) telecast reached nearly 8 million viewers. Both specials aired on Friday, September 9, 2016, with SU2C preceding ACM Honors on the CBS Television Network, for a combined viewership of 11.7 million. Ticket proceeds from several 2016 ACM events went to the ACM Lifting Lives donation, among other Academy contributions.

To date the Academy has given over $8 million to ACM Lifting Lives, resulting in more than 100 grants, 75 emergency grants to music industry professionals in need, and partnerships with Music Health Alliance, Seacrest Foundation, St. Jude, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, among many, many others.

“The important work ACM Lifting Lives does in improving lives through the power of music is only possible because of the incredible artists and industry friends who donate their time and talent to ACM events, period,” said Tiffany Moon, ACM EVP/Managing Director. “We will continue to make every charitable dollar we spend stretch to reach those who need it most. It’s a process we all feel privileged to be a part of, and we’re grateful to the ACM and Lifting Lives Boards for their support.” 

PHOTO: [Left to right] Academy of Country Music Officers and ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors: Paul Moore (Parliamentarian), Carmen Romano (Treasurer), Duane Clark (Vice President), Tommy Moore (Secretary), Ken Tucker (Chairman), Lori Badgett (Past ACM Lifting Lives Chairman), Ed Warm (ACM LL Chairman), Ben Vaughn (President), and Tiffany Moon (ACM EVP, Managing Director).

About the Academy of Country Music
Founded in Southern California in 1964, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) is a fan-focused artist and industry-driven organization, providing the financial resources to ensure the on-going philanthropic work of ACM LIFTING LIVES, the charitable arm of the Academy which works to improve lives through the power of music. The Academy has a rich history in the entertainment industry, having been founded when Southern California was a hotbed of emerging country music and when Westerns were a staple of television programing and film production. Comprised of more than 4,900 professional members nationwide, the ACM is headquartered in Encino, Calif. For more information, log onto www.ACMcountry.com or www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

About ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. Through partnerships with artists and strong ties in the music industry, ACM Lifting Lives develops and funds music-related therapy and education programs, and serves members of the community who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. Generous donations and the support of artists and fans ensure ACM Lifting Lives is able to fund everything from disaster relief and helping communities in need, to music education in schools and music camps for those with disabilities, to supporting programs that use music therapy as a means to help our veterans and wounded warriors, while providing grants to help them ease back into life. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

ACM Lifting Lives Gala Kicks Off ACM Weekend in Dallas - See photos from last night's star-studded event

Last night, ACM Lifting Lives®, the Academy of Country Music’s® philanthropic arm, celebrated its first-ever fundraising gala, hosted by country music luminaries Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, at the Omni Dallas Hotel.

Hosts Trisha Yearwood (L) and Garth Brooks perform onstage during the ACM Lifting Lives Gala at the Omni Hotel on April 17, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Larry Busacca/ACM2015/Getty Images for dcp)

Credit: Larry Busacca/ACM2015

The gala, co-hosted by Nancy O’Dell and Montel Williams, kicked off the 50^th ACM Awards weekend with a supersized line-up of performances beginning with Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, and closed with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

Recording artist Kimberly Perry of music group The Band Perry performs onstage during the ACM Lifting Lives Gala at the Omni Hotel on April 17, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Larry Busacca/ACM2015/Getty Images for dcp)

Credit: Larry Busacca/ACM2015

 The Band Perry treated attendees with a special surprise performance of “Bright Eyes” with the campers from the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, who wrote the song during a songwriting session with The Band Perry.  The camp is a partnership between ACM Lifting Lives and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, which has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education.

 

Host Garth Brooks closed the show with an epic performance of his classic hit “The Dance” with Keith Urban and Hunter Hayes.

Keith Urban, Nancy O'Dell, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood on the red carpet at ACM Lifting Lives Gala.

Additional attendees included: Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys Owner, President, General Manager), David Yurman (jewelry and timepiece designer), Charlotte Jones Anderson (Dallas Cowboys EVP, Chief Brand Officer), Josh Dorr (country music artist), Courtney Kerr (TV personality), and more.

Bob Romeo, Jerry Jones, and David Yurman at the ACM Lifting Lives Gala

Proceeds from the gala will benefit ACM Lifting Lives and Garth Brooks’ charity, Teammates for Kids – specifically the Child Life Zones in Children’s Health of Dallas and Cook Children’s of Fort Worth.

Hot Ticket: ACM Lifting Lives "One Night, Two Cities, All Music" Benefit Gala

On this gloomy day, we are day dreaming of the upcoming ACM fun that will soon visit our fabulous city next month.  Here is a hot ticket event that you don't want to miss!  It's an extra special night in that both Dallas and Fort Worth will be a part of the action -- a star-studded event at two locations benefiting one worthy cause.

 

The Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic arm, ACM Lifting Lives®, with country music luminaries Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will host its first-ever fundraising gala on April 17, 2015, just two days before the 50^th Academy of Country Music Awards. The “One Night, Two Cities, All Music” gala presented by Mattress Firm will consist of two shows taking place simultaneously at the Omni Dallas Hotel and the Fort Worth Zoo.

 

The Omni Dallas Hotel gala will feature headliner and ACM Awards nominees Lady Antebellum, and a special performance by Hunter Hayes. Fort Worth Zoo will feature ACM Awards nominees including headliner Keith Urban, and a special performance by Little Big Town. Nancy O’Dell, Emmy®-award winning journalist and co-host of Entertainment Tonight, will join Brooks and Yearwood to co-host the Fort Worth gala.

 

Garth and Trisha will alternate between both locations throughout the evening to entertain attendees in Dallas and Fort Worth.  A host of celebrities along with prominent music industry and entertainment executives are scheduled to attend. The inaugural gala will kick off with a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner, live auction and a stellar line-up of performances by country music’s most celebrated artists.

 

ACM Lifting Lives will be donating funds raised from the gala to several Texas-based organizations including Garth Brooks’ charity, Teammates for Kids and the Child Life Zones in Children’s Health of Dallas and Cook Children’s of Fort Worth.

 

The gala is among the highly-anticipated events held during ACM Awards week. The awards ceremony itself, co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, will broadcast LIVE from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on CBS.

 

For more information on the gala, including ticket inquiries and sponsorship opportunities, please contact ACM Lifting Lives at gala@acmcountry.com.

 

We hope to see you there!

This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the ACM Awards Benefits ACM Lifting Lives

ACM CEO Bob Romeo (left) and ACM EVP/Managing Director Tiffany Moon (right) pose with ACM SVP and author Lisa Lee (center) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. 
(Photo Credit: Terry Wyatt / Courtesy of Academy of Country Music)

The Academy of Country Music hosted a party recently in Nashville to celebrate the release of the first-ever ACM commemorative book, This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards. Music Industry VIPs gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to preview the book, on sale as of today September 23rd at booksellers nationwide. 

 

All of the Academy’s proceeds from sales of the book will go to ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy’s charitable arm. Fans can find more information about the book and a list of retailers at http://www.acmcountry.com/thisiscountry.

 

Starting today fans can Instagram a photo of what “country” means to them with #THISISCOUNTRY and submit their entry online via www.acmcountry.com for a chance to win a copy of the book and an enlarged 22”x28” photo from the book. Seven runner-ups will be selected to win a 22”x28” ACM historical photo.

 

The 224-page retrospective includes a foreword by Reba and features contributions by country music’s biggest stars from the 1960s to the present day, including Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Loretta Lynn, Alabama’s Randy Owen, Reba, Blake Shelton, George Strait, and Marty Stuart, and commentary from Kenny Chesney, Merle Haggard, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and many more.