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, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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