Rhett, Underwood tie for biggest Academy of Country Music Awards honor

Rhett gave the thanks to fans, the ACMs, his family and team.

Underwood thanked God, the ACMs and others. "I am more than happy to share this with Thomas Rhett.""You guys, hold on, it will happen again," Underwood said, referring to touring. "I'm just really glad that we got to celebrate."

It was a big night for Luke Combs. Receiving the Male Artist of the Year, Combs said, "This is a lot to process right now. I just can't believe this."

Combs scored Album of the Year honors for "What You See Is What You Get." "This album was hell to make, but we did it," he said from the Bluebird Cafe.

Producer Scott Moffatt and Combs' label, River House Artists/Columbia Nashville also shared the award.

Old Dominion also won two Academy of Country Awards.

Old Dominion's "One Man Band" was Song of the Year. "That's a big one, said Matthew Ramsey. "Songwriting is what got us here. This is not what I thought I would say." He referred to several deceased family members and a friend, saying that they were hearing them.

The award also goes to songwriters Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi and the publisher: WB Music Corp/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC (ASCAP) adm by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing. Rezsongs/Reehits World/Smacktown Music, a division of Smack Blue, LLC adm. by Me Gusta Music. Unfair Entertainment/Twelve6 Dogwood (ASCAP) adm. by Downtown DLJ Songs. We're Really Doin" It Publishing (ASCAP) adm by Words & Music. Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC (ASCAP) adm. by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing.

And Old Dominion was soon back onstage capturing the award for Group of the Year."Here we are again," Ramsey said. "Hey everybody. We miss you...Everybody would be ok here if we sent this out to our road crew...we could not do this without you."

Maren Morris won Female Artist of the Year. "This is so weird talking to no one," she said, adding, "This is an award I never thought I'd win."

"This is so great country music and vote," Morris said.

Blake Shelton took Single of the Year with "God's Country." "Holy cow, single of the year, This is a complete shock and an absolute honor," said Shelton, before thanking radio, fans, management and more.

Sharing the award were his producer, Scott Hendricks, and label, Warner Nashville.

Dan + Shay were the first winners of the live portion of the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards for Duo of the Year.

Tho duo, who bested the likes of Florida Georgia Line and Madde and Tae, thanked their families, fans and country radio in their brief remarks.

Previously named winners were:

New Male Artist: Riley Green

New Female Artist: Tenille Townes

Video of the Year: Rhett for "Remember You Young." Director TK McKamy and producer Dan Atchison shared the honor as well.

Music Event of the Year: Fooled Around and Fell in Love -- Miranda Lambert featuring Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack and Elle King The award also went to producer Jay Joyce and the record label, Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville.

Songwriter of the Year: Hilary Lindsey

The show, done with no audience featured 24 performances, including 41 hit songs. The awards telecast kicked off with Entertainer of the Year nominees performing a medley of each of their greatest hits. Luke Bryan performed "Rain Is A Good Thing," Eric Church offered "Drink In My Hand," Combs sang "When It Rains It Pours," Rhett played "It Goes Like This" and Underwood turned in "Before He Cheats."

Taylor Swift returned to the ACM Awards stage for the first time in seven years with a world premiere performance of "betty" off her new album "Folklore." Awards host Keith Urban performed the world television premiere of his new single, "One Too Many" with P!NK, from Urban"s new album out Friday, "Speed of Now."

Mickey Guyton made her solo ACM Award performance debut with "What Are You Gonna Tell Her?" featuring surprise guest Urban on piano. Shelton featuring Gwen Stefani performed their latest single "Happy Anywhere." Church opened his performance with "Ragged Old Flag" a poem read by Johnny Cash, which led into his single "Stick That In Your Country Song."

In celebration of the 95th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, Underwood, honored female Opry members by performing a medley of songs including Patsy Cline"s "Crazy," Loretta Lynn"s "You Ain"t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)," Barbara Mandrell"s "I Was Country When Country Wasn"t Cool," Martina McBride"s "A Broken Wing," Reba McEntire"s "The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia" and Dolly Parton"s "Why"d You Come In Here Lookin" Like That."

Additional performances included first-time ACM Awards performer Jimmie Allen ("Make Me Want To"), Kelsea Ballerini ("hole in the bottle"), Gabby Barrett ("I Hope"), Kane Brown ("Worldwide Beautiful"), Luke Bryan ("One Margarita"), Luke Combs ("Better Together"), Dan + Shay ("I Should Probably Go To Bed"), Florida Georgia Line ("I Love My Country"), Green ("I Wish Grandpas Never Died"), Miranda Lambert ("Bluebird") featuring Songwriters Natalie Hemby & Luke Dick, Tim McGraw ("I Called Mama"), Morris ("To Hell & Back"), Old Dominion (Medley of "One Man Band," "Written in the Sand," "No Such Thing as a Broken Heart," "Break Up With Him," "Snapback," "Song For Another Time," "Hotel Key" & "Make It Sweet"), Rhett featuring Jon Pardi ("Beer Can"t Fix"), Tenille Townes ("Somebody"s Daughter") and Morgan Wallen ("Whiskey Glasses").