Country music’s biggest night is on the horizon, and the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM Awards) has unveiled its nominees for the 2024 ceremony. This year’s contenders boast a mix of established stars and rising talents, with Luke Combs emerging as the frontrunner with a staggering eight nominations.
Combs and Chapman Share the Spotlight for “Fast Car”
Leading the charge is Luke Combs, vying for eight awards including the coveted Entertainer of the Year. A central element of his success this year revolves around his cover of Tracy Chapman’s iconic “Fast Car.” This powerful ballad not only became a country radio smash but also earned Combs nominations for Single of the Year and Song of the Year. Notably, he shares the latter nomination with Chapman herself, who wrote and originally released the song in 1988.
This collaboration marks a historic moment for the ACM Awards. Chapman’s win in the same category at the 2023 Country Music Association Awards made her the first Black person to receive the honor. Their captivating performance of the song at the February Grammys further solidified the song’s impact, with Chapman taking home two awards for her original version and Combs receiving a nomination for his rendition.
A Night of Recognition for Established Stars and Rising Talent
Combs faces stiff competition in the Entertainer of the Year category, going head-to-head with reigning champion Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Kane Brown, and Cody Johnson.
Beyond his “Fast Car” nominations, Combs has a chance to add to his trophy collection in categories like Album of the Year (“Gettin’ Old”), Male Artist of the Year, and Music Event of the Year (“Different ‘Round Here” with Riley Green).
Morgan Wallen continues his impressive run, securing six nominations on the back of his chart-topping success. His album, “One Thing at a Time,” dominated the Billboard 200 chart for 18 weeks, while the Grammy-nominated single “Last Night” ruled the Hot 100 chart for a remarkable 16 weeks. Wallen is also a contender for Male Artist of the Year, Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and Music Event of the Year for his collaboration with Eric Church, “Man Made A Bar.”
Breakthrough artist Megan Moroney is another major player, leading the female nominees with six nods. She’s in the running for Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Tennessee Orange”), Visual Media of the Year (“Tennessee Orange”), and Music Event of the Year (“Can’t Break Up Now” with Old Dominion). Additionally, she’s vying for the coveted New Female Artist of the Year award.
The 2024 ACM Awards promise to be a night of celebration for a diverse range of artists. Established stars like Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson all garnered five nominations each, while Jelly Roll and Jordan Davis secured four nods apiece.
A Look Ahead: Queen Bey Makes Country Music History (But Not This Year)
While the nominations announcement dominated the headlines, another development sent ripples through the country music world. Beyoncé’s recent album, “Cowboy Carter,” achieved historic chart success, raising questions about her potential ACM Award eligibility. However, with the eligibility period for the 2024 ceremony spanning January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, Beyoncé’s work will be considered for next year’s nominations.
This news has country music fans buzzing with anticipation, eager to see how Queen Bey’s foray into the genre will be recognized by the ACM Awards.
