The 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards had some of the biggest performances to hit the stage and your screen this year. Hosted by Keith Urban, the event took place on Wednesday, September 16 at Nashville, Tennessee.
Here are some of the most memorable moments that transpired during the 2020 ACM Awards:
1. Keith Urban hosted for the first time and kicked off the event with an inspiring message
This is the first time that Keith Urban hosted the ACM Awards. He started the night with a very inspiring message that spoke of hope and love. He shared, “We want to send our love, thoughts and our prayers out to everyone of you affected right now. And of course we are still in the midst of trying to fight two pandemics: COVID-19 and social injustice. Far too many lives have been lost to both.”
He added, “The example set by our essential workers, our first responders, along with the voices crying out for equality in all walks of life, have echoed around the world and right here in our country community. They inspire us to come together, and work together, to address these challenges.”
2. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani performed their single, “Happy Anywhere”
This is the first ACM Awards appearance of the couple. Shelton said that they wished to be in Nashville but couldn’t. Instead, they were at Los Angeles for The Voice. Thanks to technology, they were “transported” to the Bluebird Café. The lovebirds sang, “Happy Anywhere” while making everybody else jealous while they serenaded each other.
3. Taylor Swift returns to the ACM stage
For the first time in seven years, the multi-awarded singer returned to her roots. She sang “Betty” from her new album at the Grand Ole Opry. She revealed that she did her own hair and makeup for the show.
4. Trisha Yearwood sang “I’ll Carry You Home” to honor country music stars who’ve passed away
The country singer offered a very emotional song tribute to the country artists who’ve died of the last year. She said, “This year, the country music world lost some cherished members, from a fiddler and a gambler, to a cricket and a ‘pickup man;’ from a Statler brother, to “The one you slip around with.’ We also said goodbye to the talents who wrote the songs, the musicians who played them, the executives who fostered them, and the radio DJs who promoted them. This song is for those friends and everyone whose earthly presence is missed, but whose memory will be with us for all time.”
5. Carrie Uderwood and Thomas Rhett made history after tying for Entertainer of the Year
This year’s ACM Awards was full of historic moments but the most unexpected was Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett tying for Entertainer of the Year. Underwood said she was more than happy to share the award with Rhett.
Meanwhile, this award made her the first woman ever to win the coveted award three times. She won Entertainer of the Year in 2008 and 2009.
Watch the recap of the ACM Awards for other memorable moments!
