GARTH BROOKS makes special appearance during the ACMAs at Reynolds in Conway

The Arkansas Country Music Awards, held Monday, June 1, at Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway, delivered a night filled with unforgettable memories, sincere tributes, and legendary performances. Co-hosted by country music historian and journalist Charles Haymes and Ashton Gill, the evening celebrated some of Arkansas's most influential contributors to country music. New inductees into the Arkansas Country Music Hall of Fame included The Whites, Allen Reynolds, and the husband-and-wife duo of Jimmy Doyle and Patsy Gayle Doyle. The celebration also featured appearances by country music royalty, including Crystal Gayle, who delighted the audience with a pair of her signature songs, and Ricky Skaggs, who joined the newly inducted Hall of Fame group The Whites for a memorable performance that highlighted the family's Arkansas roots and extraordinary influence on country and bluegrass music.

One of the evening's most entertaining moments came when Jimmy Doyle and Patsy Gayle accepted their Hall of Fame honor. For 47 years, the couple owned and operated Jimmy Doyle's Country Club, one of Arkansas's most beloved country music venues. Over nearly five decades, the club welcomed performers and fans from across the region and became a cornerstone of Arkansas country music culture. Doyle took the stage with a lifetime's worth of stories and was more than willing to share a few. His comedic wit, colorful memories, and natural storytelling ability had the audience laughing throughout his remarks. 

The Whites' induction was equally special. The family's Arkansas roots run deep, and their influence on country, gospel, and bluegrass music spans generations. Seeing them later share the stage with Ricky Skaggs was one of the night's musical highlights. Their harmonies remain as beautiful and effortless as ever, and the performance served as a fitting tribute to a family whose music has touched audiences around the world while remaining connected to Arkansas.

As if the evening had not already delivered enough star power, country superstar Garth Brooks took the stage to induct Allen Reynolds, delivering an emotional tribute that left both Reynolds and much of the audience visibly enamored.

“I would not be here tonight if it weren't for Allen,” Brooks said. “And I don't mean geographically. I mean I wouldn't be here. I'm not even sure I'd still be alive. I certainly wouldn't have lived even a fraction of the life I've been blessed to live because of Allen Reynolds.”

Brooks reflected on marrying into the music production relationship nearly four decades ago and learning firsthand about the character of the people who call the region home.

“One of the greatest gifts you guys have given me is the chance to travel the world,” he said. “When you travel, you quickly learn what the greatest asset of a region is. When I think of Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, I think of the people. It's the land of common sense.”

He then described Reynolds as the embodiment of those values.

“Allen Reynolds is empathetic. He's a listener. He's great at forgiving. He's full of love,” Brooks said. “He's also the most courageous man I know. He's defiant when he needs to be, and he will fiercely defend people who either cannot defend themselves or shouldn't have to.”

Brooks shared a lesson from his father that perfectly summed up how he sees Reynolds.

“My dad used to tell me, ‘Son, a lion doesn't have to roar.’ Allen Reynolds is a lion.”

The country superstar praised Reynolds not only for his character but also for his immeasurable impact on the music industry.

“He's changed careers. He's changed the face of country music.”

As his emotions became more apparent, Brooks explained why traveling to Conway for the induction was so important to him.

“Allen Reynolds, I owe you my life,” he said. “Next to being the father of my three children and being married to the love of my life, being here tonight is one of the greatest honors I've ever had.”

He concluded with the official induction.

“Allen Reynolds, it is my honor to welcome you to the Arkansas Country Music Hall of Fame.”

The audience rose to its feet (again) as Reynolds made his way to the stage, clearly surprised by Brooks' appearance.

“This is an uncommon condition for me,” Reynolds said. “I'm pretty speechless at this moment. Thank you, Garth. This has caught me totally off guard. I knew Crystal and Shawn would be here, but I had no idea Garth was coming.”

Reynolds began by thanking those who had joined him for the special occasion, including longtime collaborator Crystal Gayle.

“Crystal and I worked together for about ten years,” he said. “It was a beautiful collaboration all the way through—one of the best I've ever had.”

Earlier in the evening, Gayle had captivated the audience with two performances that showcased the silky vocals that made her one of country music's most beloved stars. Her presence added another layer of prestige to an already star-studded event.

Reynolds then shared a humorous story behind one of Gayle's signature hits, Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.

Reynolds recalled meeting songwriter Richard Leigh after they had already scored a No. 1 hit together with “I'll Get Over You.” When Leigh later played him “Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and explained that his publisher wanted to pitch it to another artist, Reynolds immediately knew the song belonged with Gayle.

“I said, ‘Shirley Bassey, my ass,’” Reynolds joked, drawing one of the evening's biggest laughs.

He also thanked fellow Hall of Fame member Shawn Camp.

“Shawn and I have been friends for many years,” Reynolds said. “He's a gifted musician, entertainer, and one of the best songwriters I've ever known.”

One of the most touching moments of Reynolds' acceptance speech came when he reflected on the friendship that introduced him to the world of songwriting and recording. He credited fellow Arkansas native Dickey Lee with helping set his life's course.

Reynolds explained that shortly after high school, a classmate who played upright bass offered to teach him. Though he couldn't afford an instrument of his own, he eagerly accepted the opportunity. Before his second lesson, however, his friend handed him the bass and asked him to fill in at a rehearsal.

“I told him I didn't know enough to do that,” Reynolds recalled. “He told me, ‘You have a good ear. That's how you learn.’”

Reynolds packed the bass into his car and headed to the rehearsal, where he met a young Dickey Lee.

“And there I met my future Best Friend, Dickey Lee,” he said.

The audience laughed when Reynolds admitted that his bass-playing career didn't last very long.

“I never did learn to play bass.”

What he did discover, however, was his future.

“Inspired by Dickey, I started writing songs,” Reynolds said. “And when we walked into a recording studio, I found my future.”

Then, Reynolds offered a wholehearted thank you.

“Dickey, I can't thank you enough for pulling back the curtain and revealing this world that I came to live in.”

Throughout the evening, a common thread connected every speech, song, and tribute: gratitude. As each winner was announced, they took time to thank the people who helped them along the way—family members, bandmates, mentors, fellow musicians, and loyal fans. This was truly a night to remember, and now I have so many new artists I need to visit before next year's awards show. Will they be able to top Garth Brooks? It'll be fun to see them try!

Congratulations to the 2026 Arkansas Country Music Awards recipients

ENTERTAINER of the Year

Cliff & Susan

AMERICANA ARTIST of the Year

Jesse Welles

BLUEGRASS ARTIST of the Year

Sylamore Special

COUNTRY ARTIST of the Year

David Adam Byrnes

FEMALE VOCALIST of the Year

Kelsey Lamb

MALE VOCALIST of the Year

Tyler Kinch

VOCAL DUO / GROUP of the Year

Cliff & Susan

ACOUSTIC ACT of the Year

Cam Shelton

MUSIC COLLABORATION of the Year

"Sunday Supper" by Waylon Wyatt & Bayker Blakenship. Produced by Brett Truitt.

YOUNG ARTIST of the Year

Presley Shipp

ALBUM of the Year

“Til the Sun Goes Down” by Waylon Wyatt. Produced by Waylon Wyatt and Tommy Trautwein.

SONG of the Year

"Dancing with a Cowboy" Written by Darren Barry. Performed by Tyler Kinch.

SONGWRITER of the Year

Lance Carpenter

MUSIC PRODUCER of the Year

Jeremy Huddleston

SOUND ENGINEER of the Year

Jeremy Huddleston

PROMOTER of the Year

Rickey Crawford

VIDEO of the Year

"All American" by Lance Carpenter. Directed by Steve Batres.

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDING of the Year

“I’m Going Up” by Boone & Company featuring Jake Stogdill, Sam Cobb, Gary Cook, Roger Adams, Robbie Boone and Andrew Thompson. Produced by Jake Stogdill.

RADIO STATION of the Year

KDXY, "The Fox 104.9," Jonesboro

RADIO DJ of the Year

Jess Jennings, KSSN, Little Rock

PUBLICATION / BLOG / PODCAST of the Year

AY Magazine

VENUE of the Year

The Collins Theatre (Paragould)

BASS PLAYER of the Year

Garrett Jones

DRUMMER of the Year

Quinn Hill

FIDDLE PLAYER of the Year

Jenee Fleenor

GUITAR PLAYER of the Year

Randall George

SPECIALTY / UTILITY MUSICIAN of the Year

Josh Matheny

ARKANSAS COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME inductees

The Whites

Allen Reynolds

Jimmy Doyle & Patsy Gayle

ARKANSAS HONORS ARKANSAS

Ted Mullenix

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