Morgan Wallen Humbly Accepts ACM Album of the Year Trophy, Shouts Out Son, Indie, and Fans

Morgan Wallen took home the ACM Album of the Year trophy for his record-breaking 2020 release, Dangerous: The Double Album. 

The East Tennessee native was on-hand at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas where he took the stage to accept the coveted trophy. 

Sporting a suit with a tan vest, Wallen shared a humble speech where he thanked his family fans and those involved in the album-making process. 

And ACM Album of the Year goes to… Dangerous: The Double Album by @MorganWallen! #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/4AcbMY0Zyf

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) March 8, 2022

“When I started this album I was a kid. By the time I put it out I was a father and that’s become more important to me than anything else,” Wallen began. “To my son, this album would signify that his daddy was a fighter and he chased his dreams and worked hard to make them a reality.”

He continued with a message to those who helped him make the album. 

“I want to say a special thank you to all the songwriters, producers, and musicians that played on this album,” he shared. “I wish you were standing here next to me, this project would not be complete without each other.”

Wallen closed his speech as he thanked everyone who has supported him, through the highs and lows of his career.  

“I’d also like to thank my good Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my family, my close friends, my band, my team in Nashville, country radio and everyone who’s shown me grace along the way,” Wallen said before shouting out his fans. 

“Most importantly I have to address my fans, personally and directly, thank you, thank you, thank you. I am blown away by you guys.” 

Congratulations to this year’s winner of ACM Album of the Year @MorganWallen 🎉 #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/woAScTwR6Y

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) March 8, 2022

The news comes as Dangerous: The Double Album became the country album with the most weeks (60) in the Top 10 in Billboard 200 chart history. This achievement breaks a record previously held by Swift’s Fearless, which sat in the Billboard 200 chart Top 10 for 59 weeks.

The ACM Album of the Year trophy is awarded to the artist(s), producer(s), and the record label(s). 

The other albums nominated in the ACM Album of the Year category included Carly Pearce’s 29: Written In Stone, Thomas Rhett’s Country Again: Side A, Chris Young’s Famous Friends, Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall’s The Marfa Tapes.

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards aired on Monday, March 7, exclusively on Prime Video at 8/7c. 

Co-hosted by global icon Dolly Parton with Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, the two-hour show livestreamed without commercials and featured 20+ performances from some of country music’s hottest superstars and rising newcomers.

The performance lineup included Parker McCollum and Lainey Wilson, who were crowned this year’s New Male and New Female Artist of the Year, respectively as well as Barrett, Allen, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Walker Hayes, Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Lady A and Kelly Clarkson.

“The concert event of the year” also included several collaborations, including Parton featuring Kelsea Ballerini (“Big Dreams & Faded Jeans”), BRELAND featuring Thomas Rhett (“Praise The Lord”), Jordan Davis (“Buy Dirt,” feat. Luke Bryan), Brothers Osborne and Brittney Spencer (“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”), Parmalee and Blanco Brown featuring Brooke Eden (“Just the Way”), Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde (“Never Wanted to Be That Girl”), and Chris Young featuring Mitchell Tenpenny (“At the End of a Bar”).

The 2022 ACM Awards presenters included Alan Ritchson (actor, Reacher), Derek Carr (quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders), Guy Torry (comedian, Phat Tuesdays), James Patterson (author, Run Rose Run), Jason Aldean, Kelsey Asbille (actor, Yellowstone), Luke Grimes (actor, Yellowstone), Mickey Guyton, and Tom Pelphrey (actor, Outer Range).

The ACM Awards made history as the first major awards show to livestream exclusively as it streamed live on Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.