Miranda Lambert to Receive ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award at 10th Annual ACM HONORS

Miranda Lambert will receive the inaugural ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award at the 10TH ANNUAL ACM HONORS™, which makes its television debut on Friday, Sept. 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Approved by the ACM Special Awards Panel and voted on by the ACM Board, this new award honors UNCOMPROMISING artists in the spirit of Merle Haggard, while acknowledging a man who has figured prominently in ACM history.

"Merle was an integral part of the Academy's history, and it was important to us that we honor his legacy. We couldn't imagine anyone better suited to receive the first ever ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award than Miranda," said ACM Executive Vice President and Managing Director Tiffany Moon.

The 10TH ANNUAL ACM HONORS™ is an evening dedicated to celebrating the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 51st ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and will feature performances by Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cam, Toby Keith, Alicia Keys, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Keith Urban, Chris Young, Dan + Shay, The Band Perry and hosts Lady Antebellum. The ACM Honors will tape on Tuesday, August 30, at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.

ACM Honors will be produced for television by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Tiffany Moon is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award Criteria:

The ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award, created this year, will be awarded to a singer-songwriter and performer whose career reflects the UNCOMPROMISING integrity and steadfastness of spirit embodied by the late Merle Haggard. Beyond crafting iconic songs and delivering genuine performances, this deserving artist-like Haggard-is characterized by their singular vision in carving an indelible path in country music.

To post a comment, you must register and login.