The superstar delivered the news via Zoom
Keith Urban delivered some great news this morning to Tenille Townes and Riley Green, when he revealed via surprise Zoom calls that they had been named the new female and new male artist of the year for the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards.
The show, hosted by Urban, will take place September 16 after being postponed from the original April 5 date due to COVID-19.
For the first time in the show’s history, the awards will take place in Nashville (instead of Los Angeles or Las Vegas), broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe.
In the videos below, Urban slammed a label meeting to surprise Green and then an interview with Tenille to give the very shocked artists the good news.
The other applicants for new male artists were Cody Johnson, Jordan Davis, Morgan Wallen and Russell Dickerson. The other applicants for new female artists were Caylee Hammack, Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress and Lindsay Ell. The nominees were announced in late February and the vote closed as if the show was still happening in April. After the show was postponed, the academy turned to put on one of the pandemic’s first streaming virtual concerts, ACM presents: our country, on CBS.
“When we had to get back from the road in March, I was not sure what the rest of 2020 would look like,” Green said, in a statement that recently broke with “There Was This Girl,” which Now reached 3 on Country Airplay and sequel “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” that peaked at no. 12. “This is how it has been since the world started and I’m really excited to have another moment to play music. My grandparents’ love for country music is what led me to this moment and I have to attribute this distinction to them. Thank you to everyone who believes enough in my music to share this guy from Alabama’s songs like this. “
“I will always remember this feeling, standing here as a new artist,” said Townes, who has received critical acclaim with tracks such as “Somebody’s Daughter” and “Jersey on the Wall (I’m Just Asking).” ‘I feel so honored and incredibly grateful to just be a part of this Country Music community that inspires me. Receiving this ACM Award feels like believing in that community, and that means so much to me. ”
“This year’s new artists have already had tremendous success, and the Academy is honored to present their first ACM award,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “We hope this is a memory they will carry with them as their careers continue to flourish.”
The Academy of Country Music Awards airs Sept. 16 on CBS at 8 p.m. ET. The show is produced by dick clark production, which a member company shares with Billboard.
