Biggest Snubs & Surprises From The 2025 ACM Award Nominations
Nominees For The 60th Annual ACM Awards Have Been Announced
The nominees for the 2025 ACM Awards were announced on Thursday, March 27th.
The award show will air live from the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, on May 8th, with 16-time ACM winner Reba McEnture returning as the host for the evening.
Over 5,000 industry professionals voted for the nominees in each ACM category. However, every year, when the long list is revealed, there are always a few surprises.
While some fans are happy about the outcome, others often are shocked that their favorite artists weren’t recognized.
So, who had an unexpected moment in the spotlight, and who got overlooked this time around?
See Some Of The Biggest Snubs And Surprises Among The Nominations For The 2025 ACM Awards
SURPRISE – Ella Langley (Top Nominee)
Ella Langley has had a huge breakout year with her single “You Look Like You Love Me” featuring Riley Green.
→ Swipe to see more articles
But, for someone who has never been nominated for an ACM award before, it’s a surprise to see her as the most-nominated artist this year. She received eight nominations, including New Female Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year.
SNUB – Carly Pearce
Carly Pearce found herself without any solo nominations at the ACM Awards this year. Pearce had been nominated at the ACMs every year from 2018 to 2023, even winning awards such as Single of the Year and Female Artist of the Year.
Given that she released her fourth studio album, Hummingbird, in June 2024, it’s surprising that it wasn’t included in the running. However, she did receive a nod for Music Event of the Year alongside Chris Stapleton for their duet “we don’t fight anymore.”
SURPRISE – Zach Top
Zach Top is currently one of the fastest rising stars in country music. His debut album Cold Beer and Country Music, led to his first headlining tour, which sold out.
Additionally, his single “I Never Lie” has also been certified gold by the RIAA, so it’s understandable that Top has scored a nomination for New Male Artist.
However, what’s even more surprising is that the first-time nominee is also up for one of the biggest awards of the night: Album of The Year.
This marks the first time a debut album has been nominated in this category since 2016, when Chris Stapleton’s Traveller and Sam Hunt’s Montevallo were recognized.
SNUB – Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert holds the record as the most awarded artist in ACM history, with 35 wins. However, for the second year in a row, she did not receive any nominations.
Last year, this didn’t come as much of a shock since she hadn’t released new music before voting began. But this time, she had a fresh collection of songs from her Postcards from Texas album, which came out in September 2024.
SURPRISE – Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini has been recognized at the ACM Awards many times, with 13 past nominations and a win for New Female Vocalist of the Year in 2016.
This year, she’s up for Female Artist of the Year, and Music Event of the Year. But the biggest milestone is her first-ever nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
She joins Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson in the category.
Everyone else was also nominated last year, making Ballerini the only new contender for the night’s top honor.
SNUB – Keith Urban
Keith Urban has won multiple ACM Awards throughout his career, including Entertainer of the Year. But despite his past success, he hasn’t been nominated since 2021.
Even with the release of his twelfth studio album, High, in September 2024, he was once again left out. This is the fourth year in a row that Urban has been snubbed at the ACM Awards.
SURPRISE – Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts made their comeback this year as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. After a five-year hiatus, the group reunited for a tour and now finds themselves nominated for Group of the Year.
They have won the award seven times in the past, but the last time they were nominated for the category was nearly a decade ago in 2017.
SNUB – Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan won his first ACM Award in 2023 for New Male Artist and received three nominations last year. But, it seems that his streak has ended because he didn’t receive a single nomination this time.
It’s not as if Bryan didn’t have new music to be considered. The Great American Bar Scene was released during the voting period and even reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. That only adds to the shock of him not being nominated for at least Album of the Year.
SURPRISE – Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton has won 14 ACM Awards throughout his career, making him one of the most awarded male artists in the show’s history. So it’s no surprise that he’s up for several categories this year, including Entertainer of the Year.
However, what stands out the most is his nomination for Single of the Year with “White Horse.”
The song was released in 2023 and even won awards at last year’s ceremony. Since the ACM voting period runs from Jan 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024, we aren’t too sure how the track is still eligible for the 2025 awards.
SNUB – Beyoncé
Beyoncé made her entry into country music with her album Cowboy Carter. The album made history by spending four weeks at the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. She also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which held the top spot for an impressive 10 weeks.
While her move into the genre has created mixed reactions, she ended up winning Best Country Album at the Grammys. However, when it came to the ACM Awards, she found herself out of the race with zero nominations.
News
Home is where the heart is – In a heartwarming twist, Sir Tom Jones made a surprise visit to a cozy Welsh pub just steps from his childhood home. Locals were stunned as the legendary singer entered with a humble smile. But this wasn’t just a nostalgic stop—Sir Tom shared an emotional wish he still holds for the place that raised him. There’s one thing he’s always wanted to do for the land that shaped his soul. Click below for the full story and touching video.
Staff and customers were taken aback when singing legend Sir Tom Jones paid a visit to a pub near to…
Miranda Lambert stunned the crowd at the American Airlines Center in Dallas when she surprised everyone by bringing her then-husband Blake Shelton onstage for a duet of his hit song “Austin.” The arena erupted as Miranda’s face lit up like Texas sunshine, her voice filled with joy and bittersweet nostalgia. For the small-town girl from Lindale, just 80 miles away, it was a dream come true on sacred ground. But beneath the smiles lay a quiet heartbreak—this would be their final duet, a love song turned goodbye that echoed through the night like the closing notes of a shared story.
During Miranda Lambert’s concert at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on March 12, 2015, she invited her then-husband, Blake…
Ronnie Dunn stood alone beneath the spotlight, and the moment he sang, the room held its breath. As the haunting chords of “Neon Moon” filled the air, his voice cut through the silence—weathered, aching, and unmistakably real. No frills. No flash. Just one man and a voice carrying the weight of every barroom goodbye and midnight regret. In an era dominated by auto-tune and spectacle, Brooks & Dunn delivered a reminder of what country music is really about—raw emotion, honest lyrics, and stories that hit you where it hurts. This wasn’t just a performance. It was a masterclass. Watch the video below.
Ronnie Dunn recently mesmerized fans with his unmatched vocal ability during Brooks & Dunn’s performance of the timeless song “Neon…
The lights dimmed at the Ryman Auditorium, and a reverent hush swept over the crowd. One by one, country’s biggest stars—Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, and Toby Keith—stepped onto the stage, each carrying a piece of Glen Campbell’s legacy in their hands. As the first chords of “Southern Nights” rang out, the air shifted—nostalgia, pride, and a bittersweet ache filling every corner of the room. Song after song, they brought Glen’s greatest hits back to life, voices cracking with emotion, guitars shimmering under the spotlights. And when they all joined together for “Rhinestone Cowboy,” it wasn’t just a tribute—it was a promise that Glen’s spirit would ride on forever. You could feel it: this wasn’t just music. It was a thank you. A love letter. A legend reborn….Watch the video below
There is only one song that comes to mind when thinking of paying tribute to the legendary Glen Campbell: “Rhinestone Cowboy.”…
Susan Boyle has a surprising revelation that’s sure to leave fans stunned! 🎭 The world-renowned singer has revealed that she took acting lessons to star in her very own life story on the big screen! With guidance from a top Hollywood coach, Susan is preparing for her much-anticipated debut in a major film. But that’s not all—there’s a secret cameo in the works that no one saw coming! 🎬 Stay tuned to discover who’s joining Susan in this unforgettable project. Get the full story below!
LONDON (AP) — The magnificent and shy singer Susan Boyle has her first boyfriend at age 53 — a Connecticut…
When Adam Lambert and Tommy Joe Ratliff step onto the stage, all eyes are on them! Their performance of “Sexy Moves” is a fiery explosion of talent, blending Adam’s powerful vocals with Tommy’s captivating bass lines to deliver a show that’s both sultry and high-energy. From beginning to end, their undeniable chemistry draws the audience in, creating an electrifying atmosphere that leaves everyone thrilled. This is definitely a performance you won’t want to miss! Watch it below.
Adam Lambert & Tommy Joe Ratliff’s “Sexy Moves”: A Sizzling Performance You Can’t Miss! When Adam Lambert and Tommy Joe…
End of content
No more pages to load
