Every artist will tell you that the making of an album is a labor of love. From writing, choosing and recording songs for a project to mixing and mastering, each step is crucial to an album’s success. For an album to be recognized as one of the best is an honor every musician and their teams don’t take for granted.
During Thursday night’s (May 11) ACM Awards, some of country music’s best albums were recognized with one of those albums taking home the trophy for the Album of the Year award.
This year’s nominees for ACM Album of the Year are Ashley McBryde (Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville), Lainey Wilson (Bell Bottom Country), Luke Combs (Growin’ Up), Jon Pardi (Mr. Saturday Night), and Miranda Lambert (Palomino).
Keith Urban took the stage at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, to announce that Lainey Wilson’s “Bell Bottom Country” was this year’s winner.
Lainey was clearly surprised at the win as she accepted the trophy.
“Y’all, let me collect my thoughts,” Lainey said. “I feel so honored…I wrote 300 songs during the pandemic. A lot of folks have shared with me that this album has changed their life. But, the truth is writing the songs for this album saved mine.”
Congratulations to Lainey Wilson!
How is the ACM Album of the Year winner chosen?
The Academy of Country Music website states that to qualify as an album for consideration, the project must include at least 7 songs and/or be a minimum of 30 minutes long.
The Academy adds, “If the album was released during the two (2) prior eligibility periods but achieved its highest charting position on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart during the eligibility period, it is eligible unless it has appeared on a final ACM ballot in this category.”
“Best Of,” “Greatest Hits,” and re-recordings of previous albums are not eligible for the award.
The Album of the Year award is presented to the artist, producer(s) and their record company.