Zach Top, Riley Green and Parker McCollum Mark ACM Firsts

Four women lead the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards nominations with unprecedented nods.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:23am

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An abstract, minimalist composition of jagged, overlapping geometric shapes in warm earth tones, conceptually representing the evolving landscape of country music and the breakthrough artists being recognized at the 61st ACM Awards.The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards celebrate a new generation of diverse talent, as first-time nominees and winners make their mark on the genre.Las Vegas Today

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will feature several first-time nominees and winners, including Megan Moroney, Ella Langley, Zach Top, Riley Green, and Parker McCollum. Moroney leads the pack with nine nominations, including her first for entertainer and artist-songwriter of the year. Langley also earned her first artist-songwriter nod among her seven total nominations. Top and Green are both up for male artist of the year for the first time, while Green has his first chances to win artist-songwriter and album. McCollum, the 2021 new male artist and 2023 visual media winner, is a first-time nominee for his self-titled album.

Why it matters

The 61st ACM Awards feature an unprecedented number of women leading the nominations, signaling a shift in the country music industry towards greater diversity and inclusion. Several rising stars are also earning their first major nominations, which could lead to career-defining wins and accelerate their trajectories in the genre.

The details

Megan Moroney leads all nominees with nine nods, including her first for entertainer and artist-songwriter of the year. Ella Langley, the reigning ACM new female artist, earned seven nominations, with her first in the artist-songwriter category. Zach Top and Riley Green are both first-time nominees for male artist of the year, while Green also has his inaugural chances to win artist-songwriter and album. Parker McCollum, the 2021 new male artist and 2023 visual media winner, is a first-time nominee for his self-titled album.

  • The 61st ACM Awards will stream live on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, 2026.

The players

Megan Moroney

A first-time contender for both entertainer and artist-songwriter of the year at the 61st ACM Awards, leading all nominees with nine total nods.

Ella Langley

The reigning ACM new female artist, Langley earned seven nominations for the 61st ACM Awards, including her first in the artist-songwriter category.

Zach Top

A first-time nominee for male artist of the year at the 61st ACM Awards.

Riley Green

A first-time nominee for male artist of the year, as well as his inaugural chances to win artist-songwriter and album at the 61st ACM Awards.

Parker McCollum

The 2021 new male artist of the year and 2023 visual media winner, McCollum is a first-time nominee for his self-titled album at the 61st ACM Awards.

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What’s next

The 61st ACM Awards will stream live on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, 2026, where the winners will be announced.

The takeaway

The 61st ACM Awards feature a historic number of women leading the nominations, signaling progress towards greater diversity and inclusion in country music. Several rising stars are also earning their first major nominations, which could lead to career-defining wins and accelerate their trajectories in the genre.