Avery Anna Surprised With ACM Award for New Female Artist of the Year

“I’m just so grateful for this. I’m so honored,” said Anna.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

April 27, 2026

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1:42 pm

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Photos Courtesy of Avery Anna

Over the weekend, Avery Anna reached a major career milestone, earning her first-ever ACM Award during her set at the Lonestar Smokeout festival in Texas. The emotional moment unfolded surrounded by a packed crowd of fans and was met with strong support from fellow female country artists online.

In the midst of performing her duet partner, Sam Barber, appeared on stage next to the excited and shocked songstress. His voice rang clear through the speakers as he proudly stated, “Hello everyone. I’ve had the amazing honor to tell Miss Avery Anna that she is the winner of an ACM New Female Artist of the Year.”

Avery Anne; Photo by Annelise Loughead
Avery Anne; Photo by Annelise Loughead

Cheers erupted from the crowd and Anna fell to the crowd and covered her face in absolute awe. Once she was able to collect herself, she took a moment to hug her family members while another voice read off the list of impressive female acts who have previously won the same award.

“Today, Avery Anna joins the ranks of Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson. She is this year’s ACM New Female Artist.”

The video shared online shows tears of joy following down the Arizona native’s face as the coveted trophy is presented to her. She stepped up to the mic and delivered a moving speech, celebrating the journey that has led up to this moment and the people who have been by her side through it all.

“Everybody that I love dearly is on this stage and this is my family right here. And my manager, David, he’s fought this fight with me this whole time and I’m just so grateful for this. I’m so honored,” she reflected.

She continued with even more gratitude for God as well as all the fans who have rallied around her, supported her and cheered her on as she lives out her dreams each day.

 “I thank God every day that I get to do this and that he put this passion on my heart. And I’m so grateful for people like you that show up for artists like me and embrace the things that we have to say. So thank you guys so much. This is such an honor. Thank you, Jesus Christ. And thank you, Sam. You just faced your fear speaking on stage. Thank you so much,” Avery concluded.

Shortly after the excitement started to sink in, she again took to Instagram this time sharing a heartfelt post to her story that reads, “I cannot believe this. I can’t even behind to process it, thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart. Thank you thank you thank you, ACM Awards.”

This marked Anna’s first time ever being nominated for an ACM Award. She was named in the New Female Artist category alongside Mackenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones and Emily Ann Roberts.

As soon as news began to spread that Avery Anna had claimed the title, the kind messages began pouring in on her social media pages. Tons of fellow female acts jumped in the comment section to celebrate her win.

Megan Moroney wrote, “So happy for you 🩷😍” while Mackenzie Porter said, “Yesssss the best of the best” and Katilin Butts added, “Ahhhh!!! So happy for you friend!! ♥️♥️♥️”

Carly Pearce praised her stating, “Yes girl ❤️,” and Ella Langley wrote “👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼,” among so many other messages.

Anna’s fellow nominee Emily Ann Roberts even shared the news to her story, championing her fellow rising star. Roberts wrote, “Such a fan of yours and this is sooo deserved sister! Congratulations.”

It’s safe to say that Avery Anna had a weekend to remember. Along with claiming her first ACM Award, she made her Mane Stage debut at Stagecoach 2026 on Friday, April 24, 2026. Sam Barber also joined her in singing their standout collaboration, “Indigo.”

Sam Barber, Avery Anna, Photos Courtesy of Avery Anna
Sam Barber, Avery Anna, Photos Courtesy of Avery Anna

“I think stagecoach has seen me from the very beginning, from me just playing on the piano and now singing ‘Indigo’ with Sam, I mean it’s changed my life,” she told Palm Springs Life magazine ahead of her performance. “To share that with the Stagecoach journey is really exciting and fun. We’ve grown into kinda this new sound and new rock era of my life and it’s really fun to get to play that set for the first time at Stagecoach so I’m excited.”

Avery Anna is currently in the midst of her Girl of Constant Sorry Tour, which runs through May 9.

Fans can see Avery Anna take the stage as a performer during the 61st ACM Awards on Sunday, May 17. The show will be streaming live exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

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Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.