Townes, Green receive Opry surprise: awarding of ACM awards

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards with the 4,941st consecutive Saturday night broadcast featuring Opry member Mark Wills along with Ashley McBryde, Green and Townes.

During the show, Green and Townes were surprised with trophies as New Male Artist of the Year and ACM New Female Artist of the Year respectively.

After Wills presented the award to Green he said, "It"s such an honor. I really never even dreamed of something like this happening. A lot of people helped to get me where I am today. My entire team in Nashville, all my family and friends back home for all their support, the fans, country radio and most importantly the two men that inspired this last song I"m going to play, Buford Green and Lendon Bonds, 'I Wish Grandpas Never Died.""

"Such an honor to follow in your footsteps and call you a friend, Ashley," said Townes accepting the ACM honor from McBryde. "It really is just a great joy to get to do this thing I love to do. It"s a dream to get to remember this moment here on the Grand Ole Opry stage and it is an honor to be a part of this country music community."

The ACMs will be held this coming Wednesday. "Huge congratulations to both Tenille and Riley on their New Artist wins and a special thank you to all involved in making this surprise moment unforgettable from the Grand Ole Opry stage," said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. "We are proud of all these two artists have accomplished and can"t wait to see them perform from the Ryman on Wednesday night!"