ACM announces Special Awards: Church, Comb, Jelly Roll, Johnson, Travis, Palmer

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 – The Academy of Country Music announced today the recipients of the Special Awards for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, including Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, Randy Travis and Rissi Palmer

Lori Badgett, "Twisters," and Ben Vaughn also will be honored at the 18the ACM Honors on Aug. 20 at The Pinnacle in Nashville.

"This year's ACM Special Awards honorees each have played an essential role in country music's success," said Kerri Edwards, Chair of the ACM Special Awards committee. "From some of country music's legendary artists to the incredible songwriters and powerhouse executives, we are so excited to celebrate these well-deserved recipients next month at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Congratulations to all the honorees," she continued.."

Special Award honorees are:
ACM FILM AWARD - "Twisters" has been chosen to receive the ACM Film Award, inspired by Tex Ritter, which recognizes an outstanding television movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music. The soundtrack featured 29 original tracks including Combs, Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson.

ACM ICON AWARD – Church and Vaughn will receive the ACM Icon Award, honoring the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his producing work along with his country music career. This award is presented to an artist, duo/group or industry leader who, throughout their career, has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.

In addition to spearheading the Concert for Carolina alongside Combs to raise more than $24 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts, Church's October 2024 release, "Darkest Hour," saw him signing over all of his publishing royalties to the people of North Carolina to provide immediate relief while also providing ongoing funds to support a more resilient future for his home state.

Vaughn seerved as President and CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville until his passing, Vaughn played a pivotal role in the development of numerous artists and songwriters, including Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Dan + Shay, Lady A and Kacey Musgraves.

ACM INTERNATIONAL AWARD –Combs was chosen to receive the ACM International Award, inspired by Jim Reeves. The award is presented to an artist, duo/group or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the growth of country music throughout the world. Combs has sold out venues in the United Kingdom Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia.

ACM LIFT EVERY VOICE AWARD – Rissi Palmer will receive the award, which is given to an artist, duo/group, industry leader or affiliate/partner who plays a pivotal role in elevating underrepresented voices throughout the country music genre. In 2007, Palmer became the first Black woman in 19 years to chart a country song on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with "Country Girl." Palmer is the creator and host of Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer, an Apple Music radio show.

ACM LIFTING LIVES AWARD – Jelly Roll will receive the award, honoring the contributions of Gary Haber, known as a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a country artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.

Jelly Roll partnered with Live Nation to donate $1 from every ticket sold on his Backroad Baptism Tour, raising over $600,000 for at-risk youth. Beyond raising money, he has visited more than 10 juvenile facilities, four rehabilitation centers and numerous homeless shelters to use his growing platform as a beacon of hope and resilience. Sharing his personal experiences with addiction, he emphasized the need for mental health treatment and readily available resources to combat the crisis.

ACM MILESTONE AWARD – Travis will receive the award, honoring the contributions of Gene Weed, who directed and produced the ACM Awards for more than 30 years. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year. Travis was instrumental in helping launch the New Traditionalist Movement in the genre. Following a life-altering stroke in 2013, his courage has become a symbol of resilience.

ACM POET'S AWARD – McAnally will receive the ACM Poet's Award, which is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs' impact on the culture of country.

Since 14 years old, McAnally got his start with the players, producers, and engineers of Muscle Shoals, Ala. in the 70s. Originally, traveling there to play guitar on recording sessions, he was forced by session players and producers around him to share the songs he wrote. They decided to record an entire album of McAnally's songs, which later led to his first record deal.

The three-time ACM Award nominee didn't just write his own music, he had his songs recorded by Jimmy Buffett, who later became a good friend of McAnally's, Sawyer Brown, Kenny Chesney, Alabama and Shenandoah.

ACM SERVICE AWARD – Lori Badgett will receive the ACM Service Award, which honors the contributions of Mae Boren Axton. This award is presented to an outstanding artist, duo/group or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.

Over the course of more than 25 years, Badgett, a key figure at City National Bank, helped establish the bank's presence in Nashville and now plays an integral role in serving a majority of the city's country music professionals. She also chaired the Academy of Country Music and its charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives

ACM SPIRIT AWARD – Cody Johnson will receive the award inspired by Merle Haggard. The award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting songs and epitomizing The Hag's spirit through performances and storytelling.

Johnson's commitment to traditional country values and his Texas roots have set him apart in a time when the genre often trends toward pop.

ACM ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD – As previously announced, Lainey Wilson was awarded the 60th ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year Award, marking her first win in the category. This award is presented to an individual known both as an artist and a songwriter, selected by a of judges whose members are songwriters, publishers, producers and performing rights organization (PRO) representatives. This win brings Wilson's ACM Awards count to 16.

ACM SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD – As previously announced, Jessie Jo Dillon was awarded the 60th ACM Songwriter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual known predominantly as a songwriter, selected by a professional panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization (PRO) representatives. This is Dillon's second ACM Award and second consecutive win in the category after earning the title in 2024.