Congratulations are in order for Tenille Townes and Riley Green. In separate video calls to each artist Thursday morning, Keith Urban announced that Townes and Green are the recipients of this year’s New Female Artist and New Male Artist ACM Awards, respectively.
As you can see in Townes’ Zoom call with Urban, she was visibly shocked and overcome with emotion as Urban delivered the news. Green was already on a call with members of his management team when Urban “crashed” their discussion. Green kept a professional demeanor as Urban and Scott Borchetta poked fun at him playing some live shows during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year’s New Artists have experienced astounding success already, and the Academy feels honored to be able to present them with their first ACM Award win,” said ACM CEO Damon Whiteside in a statement to Music Row.
Green beat out presumed front runner Morgan Wallen, as well as Cody Johnson, Russell Dickerson and Jordan Davis. Townes emerged victorious over a stacked category of promising female artists that also included Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Caylee Hammack and Lindsay Ell.
Tenille Townes released her Stars and Guitars approved debut album ‘The Lemonade Stand’ in June, while Green dropped his ‘Valley Road’ EP in May, which includes acoustic versions of his Canadian number one hit ‘There Was This Girl’ and fan-favorite track ‘I Wish Grandpas Never Died’.
Urban will be hosting the 55th ACM Awards from Nashville on September 16th at 8 p.m. on CBS, with Townes and Green among the many artists set to perform. Are you happy with these winners or were you rooting for someone else?
