Some of country music’s most influential artists and industry members will be recognized during the 2026 ACM Honors this summer.
Held annually, the ACM Honors differ from the main ACM Awards (which were held on May 17th this year).
As the ACM’s website explains, “ACM Honors is dedicated to celebrating special award honorees, off-camera category winners, and ACM Industry and Studio Recording Awards.”
On Wednesday (June 24th), the ACM announced that this year’s ACM Honors ceremony will be held on August 19th at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Fans interested in attending the event should mark their calendars for Friday, June 26th, because that’s when tickets go on sale.
The ACM Honors don’t always get a TV special, and one hasn’t been announced yet for 2026. Stay tuned, because we’ll be sure to let you know when and if one is.
The ACM also confirmed that Carly Pearce will return to host the ceremony for the sixth time. She’ll be joined by a new co-host this year, Texas–born country artist Parker McCollum.
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Additionally, the ACM named the special award recipients for the 2026 ACM Honors. Fans can expect to see these honorees be recognized during the ceremony with tributes from their peers.
- Kacey Musgraves – ACM Spirit Award
- Ella Langley – ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Eric Church – ACM Lifting Lives Award
- Jessie Jo Dillon – ACM Songwriter of the Year
- Bill Anderson – ACM Icon Award
- Brett James – ACM Poet’s Award
- The Carter Family – ACM Poet’s Award
- Landman – ACM Film Award
- C2C: Country to Country – ACM International Award
- Mike Curb – ACM Icon Award
- Leslie Fram – ACM Lift Every Voice Award
- Scott Zolke – ACM Service Award
Ella Langley and Jessie Jo Dillon received their awards in the lead-up to the main ACM Awards ceremony in May, but they were not presented during the show. So they’ll get the chance to accept their trophies during the ACM Honors.
Brett James and The Carter Family will receive their awards posthumously.
James was one of the songwriters behind hits such as “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Who I Am,” “Blessed,” and “Knowing You.” He was killed in a plane crash in 2025.
As for The Carter Family, its original three members, Sara Carter, A. P. Carter, and Maybelle Carter, are considered pioneers of the country music genre. They passed away in 1979, 1960, and 1978, respectively.
Taylor Sheridan’s Hit Series Landman Is Being Recognized At The ACM Honors
You may have noticed that, among the artists and industry professionals, the 2026 ACM Honors will also be recognizing a popular show. Landman, the series co-created by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, will receive the ACM Film Award this year.
According to the ACM’s website, the Film Award is bestowed upon “an outstanding television movie, series, or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music.”
Landman certainly fits the bill. The show’s second season, which debuted in November 2025 and ended in January 2026, included a wealth of country artists on its soundtrack. Songs from artists such as Turnpike Troubadours, Ella Langley, Red Clay Strays, George Strait, Lainey Wilson, and Charley Crockett were featured throughout the season.
Stay tuned to see if any of those artists will sing in tribute to Landman at the 2026 ACM Honors on August 19th!
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