Full Breakdown
Dolly Parton, the Carter Family and Others Honored at the 19th ACM Honors
8/21/2026, 11:35:13 AM
Core Event: 19th Academy of Country Music Honors
On August 19, the Academy of Country Music staged its 19th annual ACM Honors at The Pinnacle in Nashville. The ceremony was hosted by four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce—marking her sixth year as host—and three-time ACM Award winner Parker McCollum.
Honorees and Awards
- Dolly Parton received the ACM Poet’s Award, accepting via a pre-recorded video.
- The Carter Family were presented with a posthumous Poet’s Award; descendants Carlene Carter, John Carter Cash, Kevin Carter Jones, Rita Forrester and Dewanna Cross accepted.
- Brett James was honored posthumously with the Poet’s Award; he co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
- Eric Church earned the Lifting Lives Award for his philanthropic work.
- Kacey Musgraves received the Spirit Award for her songwriting and genre-blurring artistry.
- Bill Anderson and Mike Curb each received the Icon Award.
- Leslie Fram was honored with the Lift Every Voice Award.
- Scott Zolke received the Service Award for his role in the ACM’s renewal with Amazon Prime Video.
- Ella Langley was named Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and Jessie Jo Dillon earned Songwriter of the Year for the third consecutive year.
- Additional honors included the International Award for C2C: Country to Country, the Film Award for Paramount+’s series *Landman*, and the Studio Recording Award winners Jimmie Lee Sloas, Fred Eltringham and Dann Huff. The Pinnacle was recognized as Club of the Year.
Performances
Pearce and McCollum opened with “Islands in the Stream,” honoring Parton and Kenny Rogers. Brenda Lee led “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” before joining the Carter Family for “Can the Circle Be Unbroken.” Other performances featured Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley, Megan Moroney, Trisha Yearwood, Margo Price, and a medley of Langley’s hits presented by Avery Anna, Kaitlin Butts and Gabriella Rose.
Background & Context
The ACM Honors is an annual industry event that highlights both high-profile performers and behind-the-scenes contributors who shape country music. The 2026 ceremony continued the tradition of pairing awards with live tributes that underscore the genre’s heritage.
Official Statements & Responses
The organization noted The Pinnacle’s Club of the Year honor, highlighting the venue’s role in Nashville’s live-music ecosystem.
Why It Matters
The ceremony underscored the lasting influence of early pioneers such as the Carter Family while celebrating contemporary creators across songwriting, performance and industry leadership. By pairing posthumous recognitions with live tributes, the ACM reinforced the continuity of country music’s cultural legacy.
Timeline
- August 19 – ACM Honors held at The Pinnacle; awards presented, performances delivered, and venue honored as Club of the Year.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources consistently report the same list of honorees and performances; no substantive discrepancies were identified.
