Eric Church Receives ACM Icon Award, Celebrated With Surprise Tribute From HARDY

Last night, some of country music’s biggest stars packed Nashville’s newest venue, The Pinnacle, for the 2025 ACM Honors. The celebratory night featured a slew of standout moments including a surprise appearance from HARDY to celebrate ACM Icon Award recipient, Eric Church.

The sold-out crowd erupted in excitement as the “Wait in the Truck” singer made his way onto the stage. Once under the bright lights, HARDY joked that he hadn’t realized Church would be seated at a front-row table with a clear view of the stage. He admitted the realization “scared the sh**” out of him, which sent the audience into a roar of laughter.

He proceeded to deliver an unforgettable performance of the Chief’s fan-favorite, “Homeboy.” The song was written by Church and Casey Beathard and appears as the sixth track on his 2011 album, promptly titled, Chief, which also spawned signature hits like “Drink In My Hand” and “Springsteen.”

HARDY let his country-rock sound echo throughout the venue while singing with the powerhouse vocalist and former backup singer for Eric Church, Joanna Cotten. Together, they told the story of a man pleading with his troubled younger brother to give hip his wild ways and “come on home, boy.”

HARDY Recalls The First Time He Heard “Homeboy”

While introducing his performance and sharing how “honored” he was to be present in Church’s honor, HARDY recalled the first time he heard “Homeboy” and how it ultimately impacted his entire career from that moment on.

“The first time I heard it, I was new to town. I was driving to a class at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University). It literally sent a chill up my spine. And at the time, this was 15 years ago, I was still trying to figure out how to write a country song. And when I heard ‘Homeboy,’ I told myself, this is the kind of song I want to write every day for the rest of my life. And to this day, I tell everybody that I owe every bit of my songwriting career to that moment and that song to Eric Church for inspiring me to just go for it every single day.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Academy of Country Music (ACM) (@acmawards)

He went on to reminisce on the first time he got to meet Eric Church and share that story with him.

“It’s a moment I’ll never forget, and I can only hope that I have the same impact on somebody someday,’ HARDY revealed to the audience.

Eric Church Is Presented With The Icon Award

Then it was time to present Church with the ACM Icon Award. This trophy honors the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his producing work along with his country music career. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who, throughout their career, has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts.

Church, a seven-time ACM nominee was chosen as this year’s recipient because of his ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of the genre, his prolific songwriting resume, his influence as a leader, and his incredibly honorable philanthropic efforts.

Earning this kind of recognition was not taking lightly by Church. Stepping up on stage to collect the award, he made sure to return HARDY’s complimentary message, calling him “one of the greatest songwriters Nashville has that’s ever held a pen.”

Going Back To Where It All Began

After thanking HARDY and Joanna for their performance, the “Springsteen” singer went back to the very beginning of his first gigs at Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock, North Carolina at just 18 years old, when his passion for performing truly ignited.

“I had the Monday night gig at six o’clock and I knew 12 songs and that’s it. And I’ll never forget that night,” said Church. “I remember thinking, this is the most fun I’ve ever had. And if I can just get to the Friday or Saturday night gig at Woodlands, I’ll never want anything else. God had a bigger plan than that. I ended up doing more things and I’ve had a career where I’ve got to make the music I want to make, and I’ve gotten to play that music on stage.”

Gratitude For The Fans

Church made sure to give a special shoutout to his loyal fanbase who has celebrated not only his hits, but more importantly the deep album cuts.

“I’ve had fans that have bought into that and they’re more excited when I play an album cut 10 years ago then they are when I play some of the hit songs. And I fu**ing love that. Very blessed,” he acknowledged. “I been very blessed to be able to have a career that way. And back to that first gig at Woodlands, I had so much fun. I loved music. I loved to play it. I loved that moment.”

The North Carolina native ended his message by stating that it has “been an honor” to get to build a career and make music in his own way. he gave a special shoutout to his group of friends in the audience for sticking by him through it all and his manager who he shared he’s always “seen eye-to-eye” with. Finally, he called out his wife, the long-tangled blonde from Tennessee, Katherine Blasingame.

“If I did not meet her, I would be playing with Woodlands BBQ right now,” Church admitted before wrapping up his moment on stage.

2025 ACM Honors

In addition to Eric Church, the other honorees who were celebrated during the 18th Academy of Country Music Honors included Lori Badgett, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, and “Twisters,” and Ben Vaughn.

Plus, previously announced ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year winner Lainey Wilson, ACM Songwriter of the Year winner Jessie Jo Dillon, as well as ACM Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners, were also celebrated at ACM HONORS.

The event was held Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at The Pinnacle, and welcomed a star-studded lineup of performers including Luke Bryan, Russell Dickerson, Karen Fairchild, Amy Grant, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Jamey Johnson, Chris Janson, Miko Marks, Victoria Shaw, Carter Faith, K. Michelle, Ashley Gorley, Tucker Wetmore and more.