Every ACM Awards Entertainer of the Year Winner Ever

2024: Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson became an ACM Awards Triple Crown recipient when she received her Entertainer of the Year trophy in 2024. The Triple Crown goes to any artist who wins ETOY, plus their respective Artist and New Artist categories in the course of their career. Her Entertainer of the Year win came in a face-off with Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen.

2023: Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton took home the biggest award of the night in 2023, and it was an honor he didn’t expect, or as he told the crowd, „Well, I am in shock. Truly.“ Others in the category that year included Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown and Morgan Wallen.

2022: Miranda Lambert

After nearly two decades in the business, Miranda Lambert secured her first ACM Entertainer of the Year win in 2022. The country singer was not on hand to receive her award, but she delivered an acceptance speech via a video that was played during the show. She was crowed the winner in a category that featured Luke Combs, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood.

2021: Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan earned the title of Entertainer of the Year in 2021, but he couldn’t accept the award in person due to being diagnosed with COVID-19. The country star was also forced to cancel his performance at the ceremony due to the virus, but shared his thanks through a video message.

2020: Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett

The first-ever ACM Entertainer of the Year tie occurred in 2020, when both Underwood and Rhett were crowned winners in the category.

2019: Keith Urban

Keith Urban admitted his utter shock at winning Entertainer of the Year at the 2019 ACM Awards, ending Jason Aldean’s three-year streak in the category.

2018: Jason Aldean

In 2018, Jason Aldean was named the ACM Entertainer of the Year. It was his third year in a row winning the trophy.

2017: Jason Aldean

In 2017, Jason Aldean was crowned ACM Entertainer of the Year for a second year in a row. He bested Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban to win the honor.

2016: Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean won Entertainer of the Year at the 2016 ACM Awards, beating out Eric Church, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert to take home the trophy. Aldean’s win also made him an ACM Triple Crown Award winner; the honor goes to artists who have won Top New Artist, Top Male / Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year.

2015: Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan won his second Entertainer of the Year title at the 2015 ACM Awards, besting Florida Georgia Line, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert to walk away with the win.

2014: George Strait

George Strait took home the award for Entertainer of the Year at the 2014 ACM Awards, beating out Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan to take home the ACM’s highest honor.

2013: Luke Bryan

At the 2013 ACM Awards, Luke Bryan was named Entertainer of the Year for the first time. Bryan took home the trophy in a category of tough competition, including Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift.

2012: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift was up against an all-male lineup of nominees when she was crowned Entertainer of the Year at the 2012 ACM Awards. The „Mean“ singer (that was her big hit that year!) beat out Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley.

2011: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift earned her first Entertainer of the Year award at the 2011 ACM Awards, besting Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Toby Keith to take home the trophy.

2010: Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood took home her second Entertainer of the Year title at the 2010 ACM Awards, beating out seven other impressive nominees (the most the ACMs have ever had!), including Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith and the Zac Brown Band.

2009: Carrie Underwood

At the 2009 ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood was named Entertainer of the Year, beating out Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney to take home the trophy. With her win, Underwood was also awarded the prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award.

2008: Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney capped off his four-year Entertainer of the Year streak when he was crowned Entertainer of the Year in 2008. The artist bested Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts to win.

2007: Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney took home the Entertainer of the Year award once again at the 2007 ACMs. He was up against an impressive group of nominees, including Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw.

2006: Kenny Chesney

At the 2006 ACM Awards, Kenny Chesney took home his second Entertainer of the Year title, beating out Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.

2005: Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney was named Entertainer of the Year and awarded with the elite Triple Crown Award at the 2005 ACM Awards. The singer was up against Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and Toby Keith.

2004: Toby Keith

Toby Keith was honored with his second Entertainer of the Year win at the 2004 ACM Awards, beating out Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw to take home the trophy.

2003: Toby Keith

Toby Keith won the Entertainer of the Year award at the 2003 ACMs, besting tough competitors Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, the Dixie Chicks and Kenny Chesney.

2002: Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn won their third Entertainer of the Year award at the 2002 ACMs, besting Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Toby Keith to take home the night’s top honor.

2001: Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks won Entertainer of the Year at the 2001 ACM Awards, also earning the trio the prestigious Triple Crown Award. The Chicks were up against Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, George Strait and Toby Keith.

2000: Shania Twain

Shania Twain was crowned the new millennium’s first Entertainer of the Year at the 2000 ACM Awards. The singer bested the Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Sawyer Brown and Tim McGraw to walk away with the win.

1999: Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks took home his second consecutive win (and sixth overall!) for Entertainer of the Year at the 1999 ACM Awards, beating out Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Shania Twain and Tim McGraw.

1998: Garth Brooks

1998: Garth Brooks

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1998: Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks was crowned Entertainer of the Year at the 1998 ACM Awards. Brooks topped George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw to take home the trophy.

1997: Brooks & Dunn

1997: Brooks & Dunn

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1997: Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn earned their second consecutive Entertainer of the Year title at the 1997 ACM Awards, besting Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, George Strait and Tim McGraw.

1996: Brooks & Dunn

1996: Brooks & Dunn

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1996: Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn became Triple Crown Award winners when they were crowned Entertainer of the Year at the 1996 ACMs. The country duo beat out Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw to take home the title.

1995: Reba McEntire

1995: Reba McEntire

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1995: Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire won her Entertainer of the Year trophy at 1995 ACM Awards. She bested an impressive lineup of nominees: Alabama, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Garth Brooks.

1994: Garth Brooks

1994: Garth Brooks

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1994: Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks wasn’t able to accept his Entertainer of the Year award in person at the 1994 ACMs … because his second daughter was born that very same day! Brooks was up against Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Reba McEntire and Travis Tritt.

1993: Garth Brooks

1993: Garth Brooks

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1993: Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks won the Entertainer of the Year award for the third time at the 1993 ACM Awards, besting Alan Jackson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Reba McEntire and Travis Tritt to take home the honor.

1992: Garth Brooks

1992: Garth Brooks

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1992: Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks won his second Entertainer of the Year award at the 1992 ACMs, beating out tough competition including Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.

1991: Garth Brooks

1991: Garth Brooks

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1991: Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks was crowned Entertainer of the Year for the first time at the 1991 ACM Awards, beating out Clint Black, Dolly Parton, George Strait and Reba McEntire to win.

1990: George Strait

1990: George Strait

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1990: George Strait

George Strait won 1990’s Entertainer of the Year honor, besting Alabama, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr. and Randy Travis to take home the night’s biggest honor.

1989: Hank Williams Jr.

1989: Hank Williams Jr.

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1989: Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr. took home his third Entertainer of the Year win at the 1989 ACM Awards. The singer was up against Alabama, George Strait, Randy Travis and the Judds.

1988: Hank Williams Jr.

1988: Hank Williams Jr.

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1988: Hank Williams Jr.

To win his second consecutive ACM Awards Entertainer of the Year trophy in 1988, Hank Williams Jr. beat out Alabama, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire and Willie Nelson.

1987: Hank Williams Jr.

1987: Hank Williams Jr.

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1987: Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr. earned his first of three consecutive Entertainer of the Year awards at the 1987 ACM Awards. The artist was up against Alabama, George Strait, Reba McEntire and Ricky Skaggs.

1986: Alabama

1986: Alabama

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1986: Alabama

In 1986, Alabama capped off their five-year streak as Entertainer of the Year. The Southern rock group beat out George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., Lee Greenwood and Ricky Skaggs to take home the trophy.

1985: Alabama

1985: Alabama

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1985: Alabama

Alabama also won Entertainer of the Year at the 1985 ACM Awards, besting Hank Williams Jr., the Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Willie Nelson.

1984: Alabama

1984: Alabama

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1984: Alabama

In 1984, Alabama were crowned Entertainer of the Year at the annual ACM Awards, winning the top honor despite tough competition including Barbara Mandrell, Hank Williams Jr., the Oak Ridge Boys and Willie Nelson.

1983: Alabama

1983: Alabama

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1983: Alabama

Alabama were crowned Entertainer of the Year at the 1983 ACM Awards, beating out Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs and Willie Nelson to walk away with the night’s biggest honor.

1982: Alabama

1982: Alabama

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1982: Alabama

Alabama earned their first Entertainer of the Year win at the 1982 ACM Awards, taking home the trophy after beating out Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and the Oak Ridge Boys, who were also nominated for the night’s biggest award.

1981: Barbara Mandrell

1981: Barbara Mandrell

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1981: Barbara Mandrell

The year 1981 saw Barbara Mandrell crowned as the ACM’s Entertainer of the Year; with her victory, Mandrell became the first woman to win the coveted Triple Crown Award, after taking home the Top New Female Vocalist award in 1972 and the Top Female Vocalist award in 1979. Mandrell beat out Dolly Parton, Eddie Rabbitt, Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson to win big at the 1981 ACMs.

1980: Willie Nelson

1980: Willie Nelson

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1980: Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson won his first and only Entertainer of the Year title at the 1980 ACM Awards, besting Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn and Waylon Jennings to take home the trophy.

1979: Kenny Rogers

1979: Kenny Rogers

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1979: Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers was named Entertainer of the Year at the 1979 ACM Awards, beating out Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Roy Clark and Willie Nelson to walk away with the top prize.

1978: Dolly Parton

1978: Dolly Parton

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1978: Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton won the Entertainer of the Year award at the 1978 ACMs, beating out an impressive crop of nominees including Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Mel Tillis and Roy Clark.

1977: Mickey Gilley

1977: Mickey Gilley

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1977: Mickey Gilley

Mickey Gilley was named Entertainer of the Year at the 1977 ACM Awards, besting Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Marty Robbins and Mel Tillis to take home the trophy. With his EOTY award, Gilley also became a Triple Crown Award winner, after taking home the awards for Top New Male Vocalist in 1975 and Top Male Vocalist that same year.

1976: Loretta Lynn

1976: Loretta Lynn

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1976: Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn earned her Entertainer of the Year title at the 1976 ACM Awards, after besting fellow nominees Glen Campbell, John Denver, Mickey Gilley and Roy Clark.

1975: Mac Davis

1975: Mac Davis

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1975: Mac Davis

In 1975, Mac Davis was crowed ACM Entertainer of the Year, beating out Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Milsap and Roy Clark to take home the night’s biggest honor.

1974: Roy Clark

1974: Roy Clark

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1974: Roy Clark

Roy Clark won his second Entertainer of the Year title at the 1974 ACM Awards, despite tough competition from fellow nominees Charlie Rich, Johnny Rodriguez, Mel Tillis and Merle Haggard.

1973: Roy Clark

Roy Clark was named Entertainer of the Year at the 1973 ACM Awards, besting Charley Pride, Freddie Hart, Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard to take home the night’s top honor.

1972: Freddie Hart

Freddie Hart became the 1972 ACM Entertainer of the Year after beating out fellow nominees Charley Pride, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard.

1971: Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard had a big year at the 1971 ACM Awards: Not only did he beat out Charley Pride, Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash to take home the inaugural Entertainer of the Year award, he also became the first-ever Triple Crown Award winner, after taking home the awards for Top New Male Vocalist in 1966 and Top Male Vocalist in 1967.