Academy of Country Music Awards features epic 12-minute medley of songs from the past 60 years
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards kicked off May 8 with a 12-minute medley spotlighting previous iconic Song of the Year tracks performed by some of the artists who made the melodies famous.
The powerhouse of vocalists that took to the stage included country legends like Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town and the show’s host, Reba McEntire, who opened the show with a spirited version of “Okie From Muskogee” by Merle Haggard.
Switching spots with her, Black appeared on the stage to offer up a smooth take on the iconic anthem “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell. As the spotlight switched, Judd stepped up to the mic for a powerful performance of “Why Not Me,” the 1984 hit that launched her career as one part of the mother-daughter duo, The Judds.
“ACM 60 years of country music// why not me,” she sang before handing off the show with a warm welcome to Rimes, who appeared in another part of the arena. Dressed in a flowing white gown, the 42-year-old belted out a slowed-down version of “Blue,” the 1996 hit that proved pivotal in launching her career.
Back on the main stage, Little Big Town harmonized to “Girl Crush,” the stirring chart-topper that won two Grammys after it hit the airwaves in 2015.
The music flowed into “Tequila” sung by Dan + Shay, who finalized the number with a final note held onto for a long beat before the show launched into a nostalgic lookback of the show’s previous winners.
The star-studded performance lit the fuse on a night that will pay tribute to the ACM Awards’ decades-long tradition of honoring country music’s great songs and artists.
