Dolly Parton Opens ACM Awards With Dedication To Ukraine

Host Dolly Parton opened the Academy of Country Music Awards Monday night by dedicating a performance to the people of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

“I don’t want to get into politics, I’d rather get over a kidney stone than do it,” Parton said from the ACMs stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. “But I want us to send love and hope to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. So why don’t we dedicate this entire performance to them, and pray for peace. ”

It’s the only serious moment in Parton’s opening monologue, who wears a jumpsuit that appears to be covered in glittering shards of glass.

Parton said: “A disco ball just hit me. “I just hope that nothing punctures me.”

Her co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett followed up with performances celebrating its return to its familiar home city after two years in Nashville. They sang Elvis Presley’s classic “Viva Las Vegas” and Faith Hill’s “Let’s Go to Vegas.”

Outside of Parton’s presence, there will be little tradition of programming, which has moved from network television to ad-free, streaming-only television on Amazon Prime Video.

The years the top nominee is Chris Young, who has seven nominationsincluding album of the year and single of the year, partly because he has received approval from both as artist and producer.

Parton is also set to sing on a night where performances will be the centerpiece – there are 22 awards, while only eight will be awarded.

The return of Morgan Wallen, if he attends and wins any major prizes, could be one of the central moments of the night. Wallen returned as a four-time candidate after being excluded from the ACM vote last year after he caught on camera by making racial slurs. He has been absent from other awards ceremonies since then, though has slowly returned to the limelight.

His nominations include Album of the Year for “Dangerous: The Double Album,” last year’s most popular album across all genres. He also received nominations for Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year.

Drawn by ACM’s reputation for a fun, engaging, and inclusive atmosphere, Amazon has sought to go beyond the live sporting events it previously broadcast to connect that with a larger audience. Big country fans listen to Amazon Music.

The show will have a sporty look, with three stages, overhead spider cameras, non-stop action and heavy on graphics.

Prizes will be awarded segment by segment, rather than spread out between songs, with an uninterrupted 35-minute performance block. An edited post program only of the performances will also be provided.

ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan also had dual performances including his hit “Buy Dirt” with Jordan Davis and a performance of his ballad “Up”. Other performers include Kane Brown, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Maren Morris, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett, Blanco Brown, Brooke Eden, Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde and BRELAND.

Miranda Lambert has earned five nominations, including artist of the year, and is currently tied with Reba McEntire for the 16th female artist of the year nomination. First-time nominee Walker Hayes also received five nominations, thanks to his Applebee-themed song “Fancy Like,” winning single of the year.

Five-time nominee Chris Stapleton is entertainer of the year, alongside Lambert, Eric Church, Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood.

Along with Morgan, Album of the Year nominees include Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Young, Lambert, Jack Ingram and Jon Randall.