Winners have been announced for the star-studded 2016 AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS which aired LIVE Sunday, May 1, on FOX from The Forum in Inglewood, Ca.
The two-hour broadcast featured 14 performances including: Kelsea Ballerini (“Dibs”), 2016 NASH Icon Award presented by Ford F-Series recipients Brooks & Dunn (“Red Dirt Road”), Luke Bryan (“Huntin’, Fishin’ And Lovin’ Every Day”), Cam (“Mayday”), Dan + Shay (“Nothin’ Like You”/”From The Ground Up”), Florida Georgia Line (who premiered “H.O.L.Y.,” a song from their new album due out this summer), Sam Hunt (“Make You Miss Me”), Chris Janson (“Buy Me a Boat”), Martina McBride (“Reckless”), Thomas Rhett (“Die A Happy Man”), Cole Swindell (“You Should Be Here”), and Carrie Underwood (“Church Bells”).
Three of country music’s leading ladies — Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles and Cam — kicked off the evening with a performance of McBride’s No. 1 hit anthem “This One’s For the Girls,” while legendary duo Brooks & Dunn performed their 2013 megahit “Red Dirt Road” after receiving the 2016 NASH Icon Award Presented by Ford F-Series. The award, which celebrates an iconic artist whose extraordinary talent has influenced generations of musicians, was presented by longtime friend and 2014 NASH Icon recipient Reba McEntire.
And Academy Award® winner Matthew McConaughey introduced Toby Keith’s tribute to his friend Merle Haggard, with Haggard’s longtime band the Strangers featuring Merle’s son Ben.
Presenters at the second annual show included: Paula Abdul, Chase Bryant, Terry Crews, Cat Deeley, Sara Evans, Trent Harmon, Jana Kramer, Chris Lane, Maddie & Tae, McConaughey, Scotty McCreery, McEntire, Jennifer Nettles, Michael Ray, Canaan Smith, Luke Wilson and Dwight Yoakam.
Following is the list of winners in the 12 categories for the 2016 AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Florida Georgia Line
BREAKTHROUGH MALE OF THE YEAR
Sam Hunt
BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
BREAKTHROUGH GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Old Dominion
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Die A Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Traveller” – Chris Stapleton
DIGITAL SONG OF THE YEAR
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
DIGITAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Montevallo” – Sam Hunt
TOURING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks
