Carly Pearce and Russell Dickerson teamed up to host the star-studded 18th ACM Honors on Wednesday evening (August 20) in Nashville, Tennessee. Viewers will get to relive the show — and catch “exclusive backstage conversations” and more — in a three-hour special titled CMT Hot 20: ACM Honors Edition next month.
The ACM Honors paid tribute to honorees who have “played an essential role in Country Music’s success,” including Lori Badgett, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, “Twisters,” Ben Vaughn, and Lainey Wilson. Pearce returned to host the show for her fifth consecutive year. Her co-host, Dickerson, made his hosting debut at the 18th annual show. Both artists took the stage at The Pinnacle, “Nashville’s newest cutting-edge venue,” along with Luke Bryan, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Carter Faith, Ashley Gorley, Amy Grant, Ashley McBryde, K. Michelle, Tucker Wetmore, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, Miko Marks and Victoria Shaw. See the red carpet fashion here.
CMT Hot 20: ACM Honors Edition will be hosted by Pearce and Dickerson, plus CMT’s Cody Alan and Carissa Culiner. Viewers will see “exclusive backstage conversations with honorees and performers, memorable moments from throughout the night, and exclusive performances,” according to the Academy of Country Music’s announcement this week.
Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music., said in a statement that the three-hour special “allows us to take our community’s most heartfelt night beyond the walls of The Pinnacle and into living rooms nationwide, giving viewers an up-close look at the incredible artists, songwriters, and industry professionals whose passion and hard work shape the music we love. We can’t wait for fans everywhere to experience what makes ACM Honors so special.”
CMT Hot 20: ACM Honors Edition will make its debut on CMT Saturday, September 27.