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Stephen Wilson Jr. won his first-ever ACM Award, the Academy of Country Music announced on Wednesday evening (May 6).
The singer-songwriter and guitarist, 46, won in the ACM Visual Media of the Year category for “Cuckoo,” produced and co-directed by Tim Cofield. Wilson wrote the søn of dad (deluxe) track with Travis Meadows and Jeffrey Steele, and produced it with Ben West. The first-time nominee is the latest winner revealed ahead of the 61st annual show, which is stated to return to the MGM Garden Arena stage in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Academy of Country Music also announced Avery Anna won the New Female Artist of the Year category, and Tucker Wetmore won New Male Vocalist of the Year. See the full list of nominations here.
Wilson wrote in a caption on Instagram on Thursday (May 7), “thank you forever and ever, amen country music and the [ACM Awards] for this great honor. Would love to congratulate my visual media partner & director [Tim Cofield] for embracing this feral American vision and bringing it to life // also, thank you [HARDY] & [Joey Breaux] & the whole cast for playing w/ fire w/ us - we did our own stunts - 👽🥋☄️ - love y’all massive.” Watch the moment the Academy of Country Music surprised Wilson with his award here:
Shania Twain will make her debut as ACM Awards host. She said in a statement that she’s “thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home. It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”
Anna and Wetmore will both take the stage, along with Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Zach Top, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert.
The 61st ACM Awards will kick off at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 17.