ArtistDirect News
ACM Studio Recording Awards Announce Winners; The Pinnacle Named Club of the Year, Cheyenne Frontier Days Crowned Fair/Rodeo of the Year
When the Academy of Country Music (ACM) released its full list of Studio Recording and Industry Award winners on June 30, 2026, the Nashville scene was immediately set ablaze with anticipation for the 19th ACM Honors ceremony slated for August 19 at The Pinnacle.
In the studio categories, Bryan Sutton took home his first Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year award, bringing his total ACM Studio Recording honors to four. Audio Engineer of the Year went to Justin Niebank, who added a tenth win to his résumé. Dann Huff claimed Producer of the Year for the sixth time. Other studio recipients included Stuart Duncan, who earned his second Specialty Instrument Player of the Year; Rob McNelley, who won Electric Guitar Player of the Year; Gordon Mote, who secured a fourth Piano/Keyboards award; Jimmie Lee Sloas, who earned Bass Player of the Year; Fred Eltringham, who took Drummer of the Year; and Jerry Roe, who added a second Drummer of the Year to his record.
The industry awards spotlighted venues and events that shape country music’s live landscape. The Pinnacle was named Club of the Year, while Cheyenne Frontier Days earned Fair/Rodeo of the Year. Stagecoach, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Bridgestone Arena, the Ryman Auditorium, Choctaw Grand Theater, and Mohegan Sun Arena were also honored. Individual honorees included Adam Weiser and Ed Warm.
Following the ACM announcement, a surprise ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry announced membership invitations. Rhett Akins received an invitation on June 28, and Dave Fenley made his official Opry debut the same day.
The Country Music Association (CMA) disclosed internal staffing changes, announcing five promotions and five new hires across events, marketing, membership, creative, business affairs, accounting, partnerships, and analytics. Musicians On Call expanded its workforce with two new employees and promoted eight staff members in marketing, development, programs, and volunteer divisions.
On the business front, former Capitol Records executive Blake Duncan and producer Scott Hendricks launched TAYCAN Entertainment, a Nashville‑based music publishing and A&R company. Back Row Publishing opened under the leadership of Lindsay Will and Taylor Antle, signing Christian Yancey as its first songwriter.
Artist and writer signings continued to move forward. Restless Road joined the EMPIRE Nashville roster. Singer‑songwriter Ashe secured a new record deal with Atlantic Records and publishing agreements with Doomsday and Universal Music Publishing Group. Chris Sligh entered publishing partnerships with Sony Music Publishing and Ace High Music. Nicole Alexis signed with Hardworking Record Company, Carlisle Wright joined Joan of Arc Music for management, and Riley Thomas inked a deal with ONErpm Nashville.
The MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart shows Morgan Wallen holding the No. 1 spot with the single “Don’t We.” The chart data is updated weekly and reflects current radio airplay trends.
These developments illustrate a busy week for Nashville’s music business. The ACM awards recognize technical and creative excellence, while the Grand Ole Opry invitations honor long‑standing performers. Staffing updates at the CMA and Musicians On Call signal organizational growth, and new publishing ventures and artist signings demonstrate continued investment in talent. The chart performance of Morgan Wallen underscores the ongoing relevance of country radio in the current market.
Overall, the week’s announcements highlight the interconnected nature of Nashville’s industry, from award recognition and venue accolades to corporate expansion and artist development, all of which shape the city’s role as a global music hub.
In the studio categories, Bryan Sutton took home his first Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year award, bringing his total ACM Studio Recording honors to four. Audio Engineer of the Year went to Justin Niebank, who added a tenth win to his résumé. Dann Huff claimed Producer of the Year for the sixth time. Other studio recipients included Stuart Duncan, who earned his second Specialty Instrument Player of the Year; Rob McNelley, who won Electric Guitar Player of the Year; Gordon Mote, who secured a fourth Piano/Keyboards award; Jimmie Lee Sloas, who earned Bass Player of the Year; Fred Eltringham, who took Drummer of the Year; and Jerry Roe, who added a second Drummer of the Year to his record.
The industry awards spotlighted venues and events that shape country music’s live landscape. The Pinnacle was named Club of the Year, while Cheyenne Frontier Days earned Fair/Rodeo of the Year. Stagecoach, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Bridgestone Arena, the Ryman Auditorium, Choctaw Grand Theater, and Mohegan Sun Arena were also honored. Individual honorees included Adam Weiser and Ed Warm.
Following the ACM announcement, a surprise ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry announced membership invitations. Rhett Akins received an invitation on June 28, and Dave Fenley made his official Opry debut the same day.
The Country Music Association (CMA) disclosed internal staffing changes, announcing five promotions and five new hires across events, marketing, membership, creative, business affairs, accounting, partnerships, and analytics. Musicians On Call expanded its workforce with two new employees and promoted eight staff members in marketing, development, programs, and volunteer divisions.
On the business front, former Capitol Records executive Blake Duncan and producer Scott Hendricks launched TAYCAN Entertainment, a Nashville‑based music publishing and A&R company. Back Row Publishing opened under the leadership of Lindsay Will and Taylor Antle, signing Christian Yancey as its first songwriter.
Artist and writer signings continued to move forward. Restless Road joined the EMPIRE Nashville roster. Singer‑songwriter Ashe secured a new record deal with Atlantic Records and publishing agreements with Doomsday and Universal Music Publishing Group. Chris Sligh entered publishing partnerships with Sony Music Publishing and Ace High Music. Nicole Alexis signed with Hardworking Record Company, Carlisle Wright joined Joan of Arc Music for management, and Riley Thomas inked a deal with ONErpm Nashville.
The MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart shows Morgan Wallen holding the No. 1 spot with the single “Don’t We.” The chart data is updated weekly and reflects current radio airplay trends.
These developments illustrate a busy week for Nashville’s music business. The ACM awards recognize technical and creative excellence, while the Grand Ole Opry invitations honor long‑standing performers. Staffing updates at the CMA and Musicians On Call signal organizational growth, and new publishing ventures and artist signings demonstrate continued investment in talent. The chart performance of Morgan Wallen underscores the ongoing relevance of country radio in the current market.
Overall, the week’s announcements highlight the interconnected nature of Nashville’s industry, from award recognition and venue accolades to corporate expansion and artist development, all of which shape the city’s role as a global music hub.