Academy of Country Music Awards - wikipedia Academy of Country Music Awards Not to be confused with Country Music Association Awards. Academy of Country Music Awards 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards 50th anniversary logo Awarded for Achievements in country music Location Variable U.S. locations Country United States Presented by Academy of Country Music First awarded April 1966 Website www.acmcountry.com Television / radio coverage Network ABC ( 1972 -- 1978 ) NBC ( 1979 -- 1997 ) CBS ( 1998 -- present ) The Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as the ACM Awards, were first held in 1966, honoring the industry 's accomplishments during the previous year. It was the first country music awards program held by a major organization. The Academy 's signature `` hat '' trophy was first created in 1968. The awards were first televised in 1972 on ABC. In 1979, the Academy joined with Dick Clark Productions to produce the show. Dick Clark and Al Schwartz served as producers while Gene Weed served as director. Under their guidance, the show moved to NBC and finally to CBS, where it remains today. In 2003, the awards show left Los Angeles and moved to Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Events Center through 2005. The Academy also adopted a sleeker, modern version of the `` hat '' trophy in 2003, which is now made by the New York City firm Society Awards. In 2004, the organization implemented online awards voting for its professional members, becoming the first televised awards show to do so. Entertainer of the Year was a fan - voted award for eight years, until 2016, when the ACM announced its decision to abandon Internet - voting for it and the three new - artist categories. The show was moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 2006 through 2014 before relocating to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in the Dallas -- Fort Worth metroplex in 2015 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The 2015 show broke the Guinness record for Most Attended Awards Show, with 70,252. The show returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2016 then moved to the new T - Mobile Arena in 2017. Contents 1 Voting process 2 Awards 2.1 Major awards 2.2 Artists of the decade 3 Triple - Crown Award 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Voting process Voting members of the Academy of Country Music elect the nominees. In 2016, after an eight - year experiment intended to improve consumer engagement, the ACM announced its decision of abandon fan - voting for Entertainer of the Year and its three new - artist categories, thanks to the cost of participation and several rifts that had developed among artists. The program was controversial from the start and included the web ballot stuffing encouragement infamous among awards of the same type presented in other ceremonies. Kenny Chesney, after winning the first fan vote for entertainer in 2008, criticized the process backstage, complaining that instead of acknowledging artists ' hard work, the vote had devolved into a marketing contest that rewarded people for `` seeing how hard you can push people 's buttons on the Internet. '' The winner, for example, of entertainer will now be voted on by the same people who select the male or female vocalist winner. Awards The most prestigious awards are for `` Artist of the Decade '' and `` Entertainer of the Year. '' There are a number of other awards to recognize male and female vocalists, albums, videos, songs, and musicians. The awards are typically presented in April or May and recognize achievement for the previous year. Major Awards For a more comprehensive list, see List of Academy of Country Music Awards ceremonies. Year Entertainer of the Year Male Vocalist of the Year Female Vocalist of the Year Song of the Year 2017 Jason Aldean Chris Stapleton Miranda Lambert Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert Jon Randall -- `` Tin Man '' 2016 Thomas Rhett Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur -- `` Die a Happy Man '' 2015 Chris Stapleton Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman, Chris Stapleton -- `` Nobody to Blame '' 2014 Luke Bryan Jason Aldean Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby, Nicolle Galyon -- `` Automatic '' 2013 George Strait Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary -- `` I Drive Your Truck '' 2012 Luke Bryan Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton -- `` Over You '' 2011 Taylor Swift Blake Shelton Lee Brice, Liz Rose -- `` Crazy Girl '' Brad Paisley Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin -- `` The House That Built Me '' 2009 Carrie Underwood Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott -- `` Need You Now '' 2008 Carrie Underwood Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto -- `` In Color '' 2007 Kenny Chesney Jennifer Nettles -- `` Stay '' 2006 Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson -- `` Give It Away '' 2005 Keith Urban Sara Evans Craig Wiseman, Ronnie Dunn -- `` Believe '' Gretchen Wilson Craig Wiseman, Tim Nichols -- `` Live Like You Were Dying '' 2003 Toby Keith Toby Keith Martina McBride Doug Johnson, Kim Williams -- `` Three Wooden Crosses '' 2002 Kenny Chesney Phillip Brian White, David Vincent Williams -- `` I 'm Movin ' On '' Brooks & Dunn Alan Jackson Alan Jackson -- `` Where Were You ( When the World Stopped Turning ) '' 2000 Dixie Chicks Toby Keith Faith Hill Mark D. Sanders, Tia Sillers -- `` I Hope You Dance '' 1999 Shania Twain Tim McGraw Marv Green, Aimee Mayo -- `` Amazed '' 1998 Garth Brooks Steve Wariner, Billy Kirsch -- `` Holes in the Floor of Heaven '' George Strait Trisha Yearwood Stephony Smith -- `` It 's Your Love '' Brooks & Dunn Patty Loveless Bill Mack -- `` Blue '' 1995 Alan Jackson Dickey Lee, Karen Staley, Danny Mayo -- `` The Keeper of the Stars '' Reba McEntire Reba McEntire Gary Baker, Frank J. Myers -- `` I Swear '' Garth Brooks Vince Gill Wynonna Judd Victoria Shaw, Chuck Cannon -- `` I Love the Way You Love Me '' Mary Chapin Carpenter Vince Gill, John Barlow Jarvis -- `` I Still Believe in You '' 1991 Garth Brooks Reba McEntire Billy Dean, Richard Leigh -- `` Somewhere in My Broken Heart '' Tony Arata -- `` The Dance '' George Strait Clint Black Kathy Mattea Jon Vezner, Don Henry -- `` Where 've You Been '' Hank Williams, Jr. George Strait K.T. Oslin Charles Gene Nelson, Paul Nelson -- `` Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses '' Randy Travis Reba McEntire Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz -- `` Forever and Ever, Amen '' 1986 Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz -- `` On the Other Hand '' 1985 Alabama George Strait Fred Parris, Mike Reid, Troy Seals -- `` Lost in the Fifties Tonight '' 1984 Harlan Howard, Brent Maher, Sonny Throckmorton -- `` Why Not Me '' Lee Greenwood Janie Fricke Larry Henley, Jeff Silbar -- `` Wind Beneath My Wings '' 1982 Ronnie Milsap Sylvia Merle Haggard -- `` Are the Good Times Really Over ( I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver ) '' 1981 Merle Haggard Barbara Mandrell Felice Bryant, Boudleaux Bryant, Larry Collins, Sandy Pinkard -- `` You 're the Reason God Made Oklahoma '' 1980 Barbara Mandrell George Jones Dolly Parton Bobby Braddock, Curly Putman -- `` He Stopped Loving Her Today '' 1979 Willie Nelson Larry Gatlin Crystal Gayle Sonny Throckmorton, Curly Putman -- `` It 's a Cheating Situation '' 1978 Kenny Rogers Kenny Rogers Barbara Mandrell Randy Goodrum -- `` You Needed Me '' 1977 Dolly Parton Crystal Gayle Roger Bowling, Hal Bynum -- `` Lucille '' 1976 Mickey Gilley Mickey Gilley Baker Knight -- `` Do n't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time '' Loretta Lynn Conway Twitty Loretta Lynn Larry Weiss -- `` Rhinestone Cowboy '' Mac Davis Merle Haggard Don Wayne -- `` Country Bumpkin '' 1973 Roy Clark Charlie Rich Kenny O'Dell -- `` Behind Closed Doors '' 1972 Merle Haggard Donna Fargo Donna Fargo -- `` The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA '' 1971 Freddie Hart Freddie Hart Loretta Lynn Freddie Hart -- `` Easy Loving '' 1970 Merle Haggard Merle Haggard Lynn Anderson Kris Kristofferson -- `` For the Good Times '' 1969 -- Tammy Wynette -- 1968 -- Glen Campbell Cathie Taylor -- 1967 -- Lynn Anderson -- 1966 -- Merle Haggard Bonnie Guitar -- 1965 -- Buck Owens Bonnie Owens -- Source : Artists of the decade 2000s : George Strait ( presented 2009 ) 1990s : Garth Brooks ( presented 1999 ) 1980s : Alabama ( presented 1989 ) 1970s : Loretta Lynn ( presented 1979 ) 1960s : Marty Robbins ( presented 1969 ) Triple - Crown award The Triple - Crown Award is an elite honor that has been presented to only eight country artists in the history of the Academy of Country Music Awards. The honor distinguishes the achievement of an artist, duo or group upon receiving the New Artist ( or New Male Vocalist, New Female Vocalist, New Solo Vocalist, New Vocal Duo, New Vocal Group or New Vocal Duo or Group ), and Male / Female Vocalist ( or Vocal Duo, Vocal Group, Vocal Duo or Group ) and Entertainer of the Year awards. Among the later recipients, Carrie Underwood received it at the ACM Awards, while Jason Aldean at the Annual ACM Honors. The following list shows the seven artist that have won the award and the first year winning each of the categories required. Kenny Chesney ( presented 2005 ) Top New Male Vocalist : 1997 Top Male Vocalist : 2002 Entertainer of the Year : 2004 Merle Haggard ( presented 2005 ) Top New Male Vocalist : 1965 Top Male Vocalist : 1966 Entertainer of the Year : 1970 Mickey Gilley ( presented 2005 ) Top New Male Vocalist : 1974 Top Male Vocalist : 1976 Entertainer of the Year : 1976 Barbara Mandrell ( presented 2005 ) Top New Female Vocalist : 1971 Top Female Vocalist : 1978 Entertainer of the Year : 1980 Brooks & Dunn ( presented 2005 ) Top New Vocal Duet or Group : 1991 Top Vocal Duet : 1991 Entertainer of the Year : 1995 Carrie Underwood ( presented 2009 ) Top New Female Vocalist : 2005 Top Female Vocalist : 2006 Entertainer of the Year : 2009 Jason Aldean ( presented 2016 ) Top New Male Vocalist : 2005 Top Male Vocalist : 2012 Entertainer of the Year : 2016 See also Country music portal Country Music Association Country Music Hall of Fame Grand Ole Opry References Jump up ^ `` Academy of Country Music Mission ''. acmcountry.com. Retrieved April 4, 2012. Jump up ^ Ciesco, Tim ( April 9, 2015 ). `` AT&T Stadium Gets Dressed Up for Record - Breaking ACM Awards ''. NBCDFW. Retrieved March 2, 2018. Jump up ^ Lynch, Kevin ( April 20, 2015 ). `` Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley honored as world records tumble at Academy of Country Music Awards ''. guinnessworldrecords.com. Retrieved April 21, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Academy of Country Music ® Reveals Plans for `` The Week Vegas Goes Country ® '' 2017 Including 5th Annual ACM Party For A Cause ® Festivities ``. acmcountry.com. January 27, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017. Jump up ^ Roland, Tom ( March 2, 2016 ). `` Inside the ACM Awards ' Decision to Abandon Fan Voting : Bickering Artists, Crafty Fans & 6 - Figure Label Campaigns ''. Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Winners database ''. ACM Country. Retrieved March 2, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Carrie Underwood Scheduled to Perform on the 48th Annual ACM Awards ''. CBS. Jump up ^ `` ACM Winners ' Circle ''. CBS. August 18, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Performers Announced for the 10th Annual ACM Honors TM, Jason Aldean To Accept Prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award ''. ACM Country. August 10, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2018. External links Academy of Country Music -- Official Website Academy of Country Music Awards Awards ceremonies 2016 2017 2018 Categories Entertainer of the Year Related articles List of ceremonies Academy of Country Music Music awards Worldwide International Dance Music Awards International Rock Awards World Music Awards Africa South African Music Awards ( RSA ) Channel O Music Video Awards ( RSA ) Nigeria Entertainment Awards ( NGR ) The Headies ( NGR ) Americas Dove Awards ( US ) Grammy Awards ( US ) Billboard Music Awards ( US ) Billboard Latin Music Awards ( US ) American Music Awards ( US ) Academy of Country Music Awards ( US ) Country Music Association Awards ( US ) iHeartRadio Music Awards ( US ) Heat Latin Music Awards ( US ) Latin Grammy Awards ( US ) Lo Nuestro Awards ( US ) Latin American Music Award ( US ) Premios tu mundo ( US ) Premios Juventud ( US ) MTV Video Music Awards ( US ) MTV Millennial Awards ( US ) BET Awards ( US ) Soul Train Music Awards ( US ) TEC Awards ( US ) iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards ( CAN ) Juno Awards ( CAN ) Asia and Oceania ABU Song Festivals ( AS ) ARIA Music Awards ( AUS ) Awit Awards ( PHL ) Billboard Japan Music Awards Eurovision Asia Song Contest ( AS ) Golden Disc Awards ( S. KOR ) Golden Melody Awards ( TW ) Japan Record Awards Japan Gold Disc Awards New Zealand Music Awards ( NZ ) Anugerah Juara Lagu ( MAS ) Anugerah Industri Muzik ( MAS ) Anugerah Musik Indonesia ( INA ) Dahsyatnya Awards ( INA ) SCTV Awards ( INA ) Anugerah Planet Muzik ( SIN, MAS, BRU, INA ) Europe Eurovision Song Contest ( EU ) Europe Music Awards ( EU ) Junior Eurovision Song Contest ( EU ) Brit Awards ( UK ) Mercury Prize ( UK ) MOBO Awards ( UK ) Kerrang ! Awards ( UK ) Classic Brit Awards ( UK ) Gramophone Award ( UK ) Echo Awards ( GER ) Victoires de la Musique ( FRA ) Grand Prix du Disque ( FRA ) NRJ Music Awards ( FRA ) Diapason d'Or ( FRA ) Sanremo Music Festival Awards ( ITA ) Wind Music Awards ( ITA ) MTV Italian Music Awards Edison Awards ( NLD ) Grammis Awards ( SWE ) Melodifestivalen ( SWE ) Premio Nacional de Música ( SPA ) LOS40 Music Awards ( SPA ) Dansk Melodi Grand Prix ( DNK ) Melodi Grand Prix ( NOR ) Meteor Music Awards ( IRL ) Choice Music Prize ( IRL ) Russian Music Awards ( RUS ) ZAI Awards / Aurel Awards ( SK ) Anděl Awards ( CZ ) BBC Music Awards ( UK ) A Dal ( HU ) Estonian Music Awards Swallow Music Awards ( ARM ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Academy_of_Country_Music_Awards&oldid=836671825 '' Categories : Country music awards Awards established in 1966 American annual television specials 1966 establishments in the United States American country music Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Frysk עברית Nederlands Edit links This page was last edited on 16 April 2018, at 04 : 47. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who votes on the american country music awards
Answer: members of the Academy of Country Music