Lainey Wilson just earned the coveted ACM Awards 'Triple Crown.' Here's what that means

Lainey Wilson accepts the award for Album of the Year during the 58th ACM Awards at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco Texas, on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
Lainey Wilson accepts the award for Album of the Year during the 58th ACM Awards at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco Texas, on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

The Academy of Country Music Awards are among us yet again—and this year Lainey Wilson took home Entertainer of the Year, which means she earns the coveted "Triple Crown Award."

The respected Triple Crown Award consists of three separate wins in different ACM Award categories.

For artists who have won in the Entertainer of the Year, New Artist (Male, Female, Duo, or Group) and Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) categories, they've achieved a trio of wins that becomes the Triple Crown. The honor is then bestowed upon the artists who join an elite group of only a handful of winners.

Curious as to who has won the award in the past? Or which artist won the Triple Crown Award the first time?

We have answers.

When are the 2024 ACM Awards?

The awards show will take place at The Star in Frisco, Texas on May 16 at 7 p.m. CST, streaming live on Prime Video.

Who has a chance to win the Triple Crown award this year?

Luke Combs, center, with Kix Brooks, left, and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Luke Combs, center, with Kix Brooks, left, and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, perform during the 54TH Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Lainey Wilson or Luke Combs had the opportunity to win the Triple Crown Award this year.

Wilson winning Entertainer of the Year category, means she'll clinch the honor.

Wilson won New Artist in 2022 and Female Artist in 2023. Combs won New Artist in 2019 and Male Artist in 2023 (he's won both awards more than once).

What artist won the Triple Crown Award first?

Merle Haggard first achieved the award in 1971. The "Pancho and Lefty" singer was also the first Entertainer of the Year winner at the ACMs in 1971.

When did the ACMs start presenting the Triple Crown Award?

The ACMs did not begin presenting the Triple Crown Award until 2005.

By that point, six artists had already qualified for the Triple Crown and were awarded the honor that year:  Haggard, Mickey Gilley, Barbara Mandrell, Brooks & Dunn, The Chicks and Kenny Chesney.

Who has won the ACM's Triple Crown Award in the past?

Chris Stapleton accepts his Male Vocalist of the Year award during the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.
Chris Stapleton accepts his Male Vocalist of the Year award during the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

Only nine country acts have been awarded the Triple Crown Award.

Here's our full list:

Kenny Chesney, 2005

  • Top New Male Vocalist, 1998

  • Top Male Vocalist, 2003

  • Entertainer of the Year, 2005

Merle Haggard, 2005

  • Top New Male Vocalist, 1966

  • Top Male Vocalist, 1967

  • Entertainer of the Year, 1971

Mickey Gilley, 2005

  • Top New Male Vocalist, 1975

  • Top Male Vocalist, 1977

  • Entertainer of the Year, 1977

Barbara Mandrell, 2005

  • Top New Female Vocalist, 1972

  • Top Female Vocalist, 1979

  • Entertainer of the Year, 1981

Brooks & Dunn, 2005

  • Top New Vocal Duet or Group, 1992

  • Top Vocal Duet, 1992

  • Entertainer of the Year, 1996

Carrie Underwood, 2010

  • Top New Female Vocalist, 2006

  • Top Female Vocalist, 2007

  • Entertainer of the Year, 2009

Jason Aldean, 2016

  • Top New Male Vocalist, 2006

  • Top Male Vocalist, 2013

  • Entertainer of the Year, 2016

Miranda Lambert, 2022

  • Top New Female Vocalist, 2007

  • Top Female Vocalist, 2010

  • Entertainer of the Year, 2022

Chris Stapleton, 2023

  • Top New Male Vocalist, 2015

  • Top Male Vocalist, 2015

  • Entertainer of the Year, 2023

For more information on the ACM Awards, head to acmcountry.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: ACM Awards: Lainey Wilson joins Triple Crown winners. What that means