From Wallen's Airplay Dominance To LOCASH's Snub, Radio Has ACM Awards Opinions Megan Moroney leads all nominees with nine nods at Sunday’s 61st ACM Awards, which returns to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the first time since 2022. Shania Twain hosts the ceremony, where women dominate the nominations for the second consecutive year. Miranda Lambert follows Moroney with eight entries, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each receive seven. Carter Faith’s debut album Cherry Valley becomes the first new release nominated for album of the year since Chris Stapleton’s Traveller. Four awards—new female artist (Avery Anna), new male artist (Tucker Wetmore), visual media (Stephen Wilson Jr.), and songwriter of the year (Jessie Jo Dillon)—have already been announced. Radio programmers and on-air hosts expressed varied opinions on who should win, with some favoring established stars and others advocating for underrepresented artists. Morgan Wallen’s airplay dominance remains a central topic, despite his absence from the ballot. Traci Lee, Program Director at New South Radio’s “US96” WUSJ and “The Legend” WHJT, argued that Wallen’s influence in the format should be recognized, though she predicted Zach Top would win album of the year. “There’s something ‘good dangerous’ about Zach Top in this format,” Lee said, noting Wallen’s historical lack of awards despite his massive radio presence. Cory Edmondson of NRG Media’s “Froggy 98” KFGE highlighted the disparity between Wallen’s airplay and his award count. “In 2025, the gap between the 10th-most-played artist and the second was a 70% increase in spins,” Edmondson explained. “Yet how many awards does he have?” He also praised Moroney’s potential to sweep major categories, crediting her mentors Kenny Chesney and Kristian Bush for her growth.#megan_moroney #miranda_lambert #ella_langley #lainey_wilson #shania_twain
Stagecoach Country Music Festival Continues in Indio with Lainey Wilson Headlining Day 2 The Stagecoach Country Music Festival is entering its second day in Indio, California, with country singer Lainey Wilson set to headline Saturday evening’s performances at the Empire Polo Club. The three-day event, which runs through Sunday, is open to all ages and features a diverse lineup of artists across multiple stages. Saturday’s lineup includes prominent acts such as Journey, Little Big Town, Bush, Teddy Swims, Chase Matthew, Lane Pittman, and Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters. The day’s headliner, Wilson, will perform at 9:30 p.m. on the Mane Stage, following a Friday night set by Cody Johnson. Johnson’s performance included a surprise collaboration with Boyz II Men on their hit “On Bended Knee.” Friday’s lineup featured Wynonna Judd, Sam Barber, Red Clay Strays, Nate Smith, Counting Crows, BigXthaPlug, Marcus King Band, and Hannah McFarland. The festival’s final night will be closed by Post Malone, who is scheduled to perform at 9:30 p.m. on the Mane Stage. Additional performers across the festival’s stages include Bailey Zimmerman, Chase Rice, Riley Green, Brooks & Dunn, Brett Young, Wyatt Flores, Amos Lee, and Hootie & the Blowfish. The event also features special sets at Diplo’s Honky Tonk, which will host DJ Pauly D, Loud Luxury, Two Friends, and Marshmello. Other attractions include Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse and appearances by Whiskey Jam and the Compton Cowboys. The festival’s organizers have implemented road closures to manage traffic and ensure safety. Avenue 50 between Monroe Street and Madison Avenue will be closed through May 4, with alternate routes including Highway 111, Dr. Carreon Boulevard, Avenue 48, and Avenue 52.#cody_johnson #empire_polo_club #lainey_wilson #stagecoach_country_music_festival #post_malone
Lainey Wilson reveals what drove her to the top at Netflix documentary premiere Lainey Wilson opened up about the driving forces behind her meteoric rise in country music during the Nashville premiere of her new Netflix documentary, Keepin’ Country Cool, earlier this week. The 33-year-old singer shared insights into her journey, motivations, and the personal challenges she has faced, offering fans a glimpse into the realities of her success. The documentary, set to stream on Netflix on April 22, provides an unfiltered look at her life and career, highlighting her resilience and authenticity. During the Q&A session following the premiere, Wilson reflected on how her motivations have evolved over the years. She admitted that early in her career, her primary drive was to prove doubters wrong. “I had a lot of people to prove wrong,” she said, recalling the struggles she faced as a young artist. However, as she achieved greater success, her perspective shifted. “Now I have a lot of people to prove right,” she explained, emphasizing her responsibility to her fans and the broader music community. This shift underscores her growth as both an artist and a public figure navigating the pressures of fame. Wilson’s path to stardom was anything but easy. Born and raised in Baskin, Louisiana—a town with just 200 residents—she moved to Nashville at age 19 in a camper trailer. Over the next decade, she worked tirelessly to build her career, eventually securing a major-label deal in 2018. Her journey, which she describes as a “14-year overnight success story,” is a testament to her perseverance. She credits her small-town roots for keeping her grounded, stating, “Being fearless got me here.#lainey_wilson #keepin_country_cool #baskin_louisiana #devlin_duck_hodges #cma_entertainer_of_the_year
