The Highs, Lows and Wildest Moments From the 2024 ACM Awards

Post Malone and Lainey Wilson

Yeehaw! The American Country Music Awards (ACMs) were a blast. Reba McEntire was an absolute queen keeping that wild show on the rails, hosting from The Star in Frisco, Texas. From rousing performances to impeccable stage banter, the ACMs were full of memorable moments.

Here’s a rundown of the highs, lows and most bonkers moments from country music's biggest night.

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The highs, lows and wildest moments from the 2024 ACM Awards

High: Lainey Wilson kicking off the show with a rootin’ tootin’ performance

Wilson treated the crowd to "God Blessed Texas" and "Hang Tight, Honey," proving she was there to rock out and also maybe win five of the awards she was nominated for.

Low: Host Reba McEntire talking about her donkeys but then not actually bringing them out

Reba, we love you so much but where are those donkeys?! At least give us a little footage of them.

High: Living Legend Randy Travis taking the stage

Travis, who suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013 that left him with  limited speech and mobility, made a rare public appearance, and it was a beautiful thing to see.

His suit is on point too—love the red and black combo.

High: Our king Jelly Roll debuting a new song

Jelly Roll performed “Liar,” and he sounded mighty fine! And if you say you don’t like it, well… YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A LIAR!

Whoa: Reba's intros

Um, are Reba’s intros pre-recorded? I appreciate the ACMs' attempt to save time, but it’s almost giving hologram-vibes? Reba of Oz? Ghost Reba? It’s just plain weird!

High: Miranda Lambert performing her new single, "Wranglers"

Let’s not mince words: This woman is a STAR! That hat! Those chaps! That fringe! An icon with the voice of an angel.

Whoa: Thinking about Miranda’s ex Blake Shelton and his new wife Gwen Stefani watching Miranda’s performance in the wings.

Uncomfy!! But that’s life, I guess!

High: Noah Reid and Ashley McBryde delivering A+ stage banter

OMG, not a chair reference!! The two threw a little shade at Morgan Wallen and his infamous chair incident, and the audience loved it. Plus, Ashley got in a dig about how all the nominees are guys. Again. Tell ‘em!

Whoa: Gwen Stefani, dressed like a purple iris, performing “Purple Irises” with hubby Blake Shelton

I guess the whoa is for her outfit because it was whoa. Honestly, he shoulda dressed like a pink iris. That would have been dope.

High: Jason Aldean doing justice to the late, great Toby Keith during his tribute

The audience, which included Keith’s widow and children, all joined in singing the words to "Should've Been a Cowboy," and it was beautiful.

High: Surprise! Chris Stapleton dueting with Dua Lipa

It was a helluva performance and they sounded AMAZING together! And, yes, that was Stapleton's talented wife, Morgane, on tambourine.

Related: Meet Chris Stapleton's Mega-Talented Wife Morgane Stapleton

High: Country icon and musical genius Charley Pride’s widow Rozene and son Dion presenting album of the year

The award went to Chris Stapleton. Just a lot of very cool people on stage at the same time.

Related: 15 Black Artists Who Shaped Country Music

High: Shots! Shots! Shots!

Pop/punk princess Avril Lavigne performed with Nate Smith and they were kinda the perfect duo? Lotta great duos tonight, not gonna lie—you might even call them bulletproof.

Whoa: Post Malone saying his “booty hole is clenched” his entire performance

No comment needed, but I honestly loved it. We stan a keepin’ it real king. Plus, his performances were on point. The clenching worked!

High: Reba closing out the night (and almost literally burning down the house) with her new single “I Can’t”

She once again proves why she’s one of the best to ever do it. That hair! That voice! Those flames! I can’t with how good she sounds.

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