The Academy of Country Music has named Chris Stapleton as its first-ever ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Decade Award recipient! The star was surprised with the award at the Berry Hill Studios in Nashville. Stapleton joins as the third recipient of the seven all-new ACM Decade Award categories, including most recently announced ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award recipient Rhett Akins and ACM Song of the Decade Award recipients Miranda Lambert, and songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, for “The House That Built Me.”
The ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Decade Award is defined as an artist who has commercially released material, written in whole or in part by the artist. This award recognizes a songwriter whose creative works and performance have impacted country music over the decade. The factors to be considered are, but are not limited to success at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, artistic merit, and ACM Award recognition.
The Kentucky native received his first-ever ACM Award nomination in 2014, and in 2015 was nominated for seven ACM Awards, taking home a total of six wins during the 51st ACM Awards. In 2017, Stapleton received three ACM Awards, including Album of the Year. ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Decade Award marks a total of ten ACM Awards for Stapleton.
“Had Chris Stapleton not been an artist, his impact on country music as a songwriter would be indelible,” shares Kelly Rich, ACM Special Awards Committee Co-Chair. “Had he not been a songwriter for himself and others, his influence as a recording artist, performer and vocalist would have been just as undeniable. In combination, however, Chris epitomizes the spirit and intent of this award. We are thrilled to recognize both aspects of his contribution to country music over the last decade.”
Recipients of the remaining categories – including ACM Album of the Decade Award, ACM Breakout Artist of the Decade Award, ACM Single of the Decade Award and ACM Music Event of the Decade – will be announced in the coming weeks.
