FRISCO, TEXAS: The Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as the ACM Awards, made a triumphant return to the red carpet with Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks as the host. The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards was broadcasted live on Prime Video on Thursday, May 11, from the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas. While the night seemed young, Cole Swindell won the first prize of the night, Song of the Year for 'She Had Me at Heads Carolina', as well as Single of the Year for the same song.
Among the many artists that performed that night were Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Keith Urban, and Jelly Roll. Co-host and 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton wrapped out the program with a performance of 'World on Fire', a brand-new song from her highly anticipated rock album, 'Rockstar.' In addition, Ed Sheeran debuted his brand-new song 'Life Goes On' in a duet with Luke Combs.
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Song of the Year goes to Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, and Luke Combs each received five nominations. Swindell won the first prize of the night, Song of the Year for 'She Had Me at Heads Carolina,' as well as Single of the Year for the same song. Chris Stapleton won the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, and Lainey Wilson was the night's standout performer with three wins, including Album of the Year.
As the song of the year winner with the most writers listed (six), 'She Had Me at Heads Carolina' surpassed a previous record. 'She Had Me at Heads Carolina' by Swindell earned prizes for both best single and best song of the year. Since Dan + Shay's 'Tequila' four years ago, this is the first piece of art to triumph in both categories. The song acknowledges Mark D Sanders and Tim Nichols as co-writers of Jo Dee Messina's 1996 debut single 'Heads Carolina, Tails California,' which it both lyrically and musically parodies, as reported by Billboard.
This helped 'She Had Me at Heads Carolina' set a new record for having the most writers credited with any Song of the Year winner. Both 'Need You Now,' written by Lady A's three members plus Josh Kear, and 'One Man Band,' written by Old Dominion's three members plus frequent writing partner Josh Osborne, previously held the record for having four songwriters on an ACM song of the year winner.
'COJO WAS ROBBED AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT'
Country music lovers were divided over social media. One group of fans supported and congratulated the 2023 ACM Song of the Year winner Cole Swindell, whereas another set of music lovers was upset over Cody Johnson's loss.
Swindell fans took to Twitter and congratulated him for his win. One fan wrote, "So happy for Cole! He deserves this." A second fan typed, "@coleswindell absolutely nailed it! "She Had Me At Heads Carolina" is hands down the Song of the Year, and we can't stop listening to it! Congrats on your well-deserved win! Check my pin tweet bro." A third fan wrote, "Congrats @coleswindell on winning Song of the Year at the "She Had Me At Heads Carolina" is a total jam and deserves all the love. Click my profile plz." There are several country music fans who believed that Cody Johnson deserved the Song of the Year Award over Swindell. One fan wrote, "No way a song that's piggy backed on another song that's like 25 years old should win. If I was @codyjohnson I'd be pissed." Another Twitter user tweeted, "When cole swindell beats Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson for song of the year, you know it’s gonna be a long a** night."
Fans on Instagram wrote, "COJO WAS ROBBED AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT." A second said, "This is absolutely weird. Cojo deserved that one FOR SURE. ‘Til you can’t is STILL higher than this song on the charts." A third wrote, "Cojo deserved it." While one user said, "The worst award show ever! Cody Johnson was robbed big time!" Another added, "What?!?! @codyjohnson should have got that!!" A user quipped, "Sorry but @codyjohnson should’ve won this!! Wow!!!" A user wrote, "@codyjohnson had the best performance and this was his."
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