Lainey Wilson was awarded the top honor at the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The singer-songwriter, known for her hit "Whirlwind," secured four ACM wins in total and was named Entertainer of the Year for the second time. During her acceptance speech, Wilson, 32, expressed feeling "imposter syndrome" but shared a new perspective, stating that she read something recently that advised, "If something is given to you, then you need to accept it with an open heart and an open mind." She also thanked her fans, saying she has "the best fans in the world" and that she dreamed about performing since she was young, expressing her love for making people feel things through her music.

Another notable moment at this year's ACMs was Alan Jackson's emotional performance of his 2003 hit "Remember When." This performance came nearly four years after Jackson revealed his diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) in 2021, a genetic condition affecting sensory and motor nerves. Jackson was also honored with the inaugural ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his "outstanding achievements and enduring legacy in country music."

Jackson, reflecting on the honor, said, "It's quite an honor. A few years ago, one of my fans named their dog after me and I thought that was something but then, this is just really, amazing." He added, "I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream. And, all these years later, I'm standing here, receiving such an honor like this, it's just mind-blowing."