Avery Anna, Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top Added to 61st Academy of Country Music Awards Performance Lineup

Key Takeaways

• ACM adds 11 new performers, including Blake Shelton and Dan + Shay
• Show streams globally on Prime Video in 240+ territories
• Shania Twain returns as host, boosting viewership
• Ticket prices start at $100 via AXS.com
• ACM Week features Whiskey Jam party and beach bash

Pulse Analysis

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards marks a turning point for the genre’s marquee event, leveraging Amazon’s Prime Video platform to deliver a live, ad‑free broadcast to more than 240 territories. This digital‑first strategy mirrors trends seen at the Grammys and Oscars, where streaming partners expand audience reach beyond traditional cable. For country music, the move promises heightened visibility for both legacy acts and emerging talent, while providing advertisers a premium, data‑rich environment to target affluent fans worldwide.

The expanded performer slate blends household names—Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown—with rising stars like Avery Anna, Carter Faith, and the Red Clay Strays. By spotlighting new award recipients on the same stage as multiple‑time winners, the ACM reinforces its role as a career catalyst. Host Shania Twain, a cross‑generational icon, adds gravitas and likely draws higher viewership, especially among older demographics that still dominate country radio consumption.

Beyond the ceremony, ACM Week transforms Las Vegas into a country‑music hub, featuring events such as the Whiskey Jam Welcome Party and a beach‑side bash headlined by Keith Urban. With tickets beginning at $100, the week injects an estimated $30 million into the local hospitality sector, from hotels to dining venues. The synergy between Amazon’s streaming ecosystem, Dick Clark Productions’ live‑event expertise, and the ACM’s brand equity positions the awards as a benchmark for how niche music genres can scale in the streaming era.