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Joe Nichols photo courtesy of Show Dog-Universal Music.

Joe Nichols ^[2] will host the 5^th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on September 19. The evening is dedicated to recognizing special honorees ^[3] and off-camera winners from the 46^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards ^[4]. This is the first time Joe has hosted the event and the second time it will be held at the Ryman, which will be recognized as ACM Venue of the Year.

“Joe has the admiration of music fans worldwide because of his own straightforward, tradition respect for country music,” said Michelle Goble, Senior Vice President, Membership & Events with the ACM. “His appreciation for the genre makes him a great fit for an evening paying tribute to those who have paved way—and those who work behind the scenes.”

“Hosting the ACM Honors is definitely a high point in my career,” Joe said. “To share the stage with such an incredible array of talent is a distinction I don’t take lightly, and I am honored that the Academy of Country Music asked me to host the event.”

Garth Brooks ^[5], John Dorris, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Reba ^[6], Taylor Swift ^[7] and the film Country Strong ^[8] are some of the night’s honorees. Hank Cochran will also be honored posthumously.  Winners of the MBI (musician, bandleader, instrumentalist) and Industry categories, which are not presented during the live telecast of the Academy of Country Music Awards will also be awarded.

The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are awarded during years that the Board of Directors feels there are clear and deserving candidates. Honorees include:

• Garth Brooks – Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
• Hank Cochran (posthumously) – Poet’s Award
• John Dorris –Mae Boren Axton Award
• Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers –Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
• Tom T. Hall –Poet’s Award
• Reba –Career Achievement Award
• Taylor Swift –Jim Reeves International Award
• Country Strong –Tex Ritter Award

The winners of the MBI awards are voted based on Academy of Country Music ballots by members classified in the Artist-Entertainer-MBI and the Producer-Engineer-Studio Manager categories.  Honorees include:

• Chuck Ainlay - Audio Engineer of the Year
• Eddie Bayers - Percussionist/Drummer of the Year
• Tom Bukovac - Guitarist of the Year
• Dan Dugmore - Steel Guitar Player of the Year
• Aubrey Haynie - Fiddle Player of the Year
• Gordon Mote - Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
• Bryan Sutton - Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year
• Glenn Worf - Bass Player of the Year
• Paul Worley - Producer of the Year

Winners of the Industry Awards categories are voted on by the membership of the Academy of Country Music.  Honorees include:

• Steve “Bogie” Bogdanovich – Romeo Entertainment Group – Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
• Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium – Promoter of the Year
• Joe’s Bar (Chicago, IL) – Nightclub of the Year
• Mohegan Sun Casino (Uncasville, CT) – Casino of the Year
• Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN) – Venue of the Year

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