Parker McCollum Reflects On ACM-Nominated Album And Full-Circle Performance With Lee Ann Womack [Exclusive]
McCollum says the nominations makes him feel like he’s doing “something right.”
Photo Courtesy of Parker McCollum
Before recording his self-titled album, released in June 2025, Parker McCollum seriously considered walking away from music altogether. Now, less than a year later, he’s celebrating an ACM Album of the Year nomination for the very project that reignited his passion.
Speaking with Country Now backstage at the ACM Awards on Thursday, the Texas native reflected on feeling creatively burned out before heading to New York City to make the record, a project he says he poured absolutely everything into.
Parker McCollum Opens Up About Hitting A Creative Breaking Point
“I felt like I was kind of backed in a corner when I made this record, which I did so intentionally. But I was just kind of desperate to feel the buzz and kind of feel something that felt like magic again in the studio and the creative process. When I went to New York and made this record, I was kind of out of options and didn’t really know what direction to go or even if I was really going to keep doing it,” he explained. “And so I was kind of laying it all on the line and giving it absolutely everything that I had to give to this record. And I mean fully, I’ve said that before, but this time was real. It was full-send. I have nothing left musically or creatively to give than what I gave to this record.”
McCollum admitted the ACM Album of the Year nomination means more than fans may realize because after giving the album everything he had, the recognition reassured him that he was on the right path.
The Self-Titled Album That Changed Everything
“So for it to be mentioned and recognized among the most talented singers and songwriters and musicians in the world that’ll be in this room this weekend for this show, like just to be nominated for this specific record just makes you feel like you’re doing something right,” he pointed out.
Looking back, the “What Kinda Man” singer remembered believing the self-titled project might be the final album of his career. Instead, the experience sparked a renewed sense of purpose and creativity.
“When I went to New York, I was like, ‘This is probably the last record I’m going to make.’ And then seven days later the record was done and I left New York and I was like, ‘I found it again. I found what I was looking for again.’ So I was like, ‘I got a lot more left in the tank than I thought I did.’ And probably 50 years left after making that record. I don’t know if people will be listening for 50 years, but I’ll probably be making records.”
A Full-Circle Moment With Lee Ann Womack
After wrapping ACM Awards rehearsals, McCollum is headed to Missouri and Illinois for back-to-back shows before returning to Las Vegas in time for Sunday night’s ceremony, where he’s set to perform alongside Lee Ann Womack. McCollum called Womack “literally one of the greatest to ever do it in the history of country music.”
The performance marks a full-circle moment for the chart-topping star, who recalled listening to Womack’s music from the backseat of his mother’s car as a child. He also shares close ties with her family. Womack’s daughter, Aubrie Sellers, tours with McCollum as a background vocalist, while her other daughter, Anna, worked as an assistant engineer on his album. Womack’s husband, Frank Liddell, produced the ACM-nominated project.
“They’re unbelievably awesome people, first ballot hall of famers in the game of life. And so to have all of them here this weekend and Aubrie and her mom singing on stage with me, I mean, I should be the background singer up there on that one. So it’s just an honor.”
Parker McCollum Teases His ACM Awards Performance
While he stayed tight-lipped on details surrounding the performance, McCollum teased fans by saying, “I can’t say anything. Why would I do that? Because you wouldn’t have to watch.”
He also confirmed that his pregnant wife, Hallie Ray Light McCollum, will join him at the ACM Awards for a “date night.”
Hosted by Shania Twain, the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show will stream live exclusively on Prime Video beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT for viewers in more than 240 countries and territories.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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