It’s just the ACM Awards. And it’s just their “New Artist of the Year” categories that are split into three separate awards unlike the CMAs or the Grammy Awards that just have one. And there’s perhaps nothing that is carried out in a more passionless, perfunctory manner than how the ACMs announce these non-televised trophies.
But the good guys won, and it does perhaps portend positive things for the future.
The reigning Saving Country Music Artist of the Year Zach Top was surprised with the 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year Award ahead of taking the stage on Thursday, April 24th for his sold-out show in Wilmington, North Carolina. Brooks & Dunn also prepared a congratulatory video for Top.
“I couldn’t be more honored, and I can’t say a big enough thank you to my fans for loving music and loving what we do on the road and listening to the songs every day,” Top said. “It means the world to me, I’ve always wanted to just play and sing for a living, and I get to do that now and it’s cool to be able to get a little trophy every now and then to let us know that we’re doing good doing it. So thank you so much, this is beautiful.”
Then on Friday, April 25th at Rock The Country in Knoxville, Tennessee, Ella Langley was surprised on stage with the 2025 ACM New Female Artist of the Year Award, which also included a video from Miranda Lambert.
“Every day of my life, I’ve just prayed about this and thought about it, and literally everything I’ve ever done was to be able to do this. I’m so grateful for the team I have around me,” said Langley. “I’m just really grateful to have fans that are listening to the music and see that it is truth and I’m just a real life human being going through life like the rest of everyone else, and to see the things that I go through is something that everyone else goes through.”
Then on Tuesday, April 29th, it was revealed that The Red Clay Strays out of Alabama are the 2025 ACM New Duo or Group of the Year winner. The band was suprised while recording new music with Dave Cobb in Savannah, GA. They beat or Restless Road and Treaty Oak Revival for the accolade.
In the case of The Red Clay Strays, they made it through a fairly weak and truncated field. And even though they’ve said outright they don’t consider themselves a country band, they definitely represent the independent side of roots music.
For Zach Top, he beats out some very heavy hitters in Shaboozey, Gavin Adcock, Tucker Wetmore, and Bailey Zimmerman. In fact, the New Male Artist of the Year category might be one of the strongest fields in the entire 2025 ACM Awards. Ella Langley had to beat out Dasha of the viral “Austin” fame to win her accolade.
Even better, the wins mean these artists have been invited to perform on the ACM Awards on May 8th, which all of a sudden have a slightly elevated reason to pay attention. In these three early categories, it’s hard to not conclude that the good guys won.
The Red Clay Strays are also up for the big boy ACM Group of the Year Award that’s regularly won by Old Dominion. Perhaps the boys from Alabama can finally upstage the boys from Virginia. Ella Langley is also up for Female Artist of the Year, and might not be a long shot for the award. And Zach Top’s album Cold Beer & Country Music is up for Album of the Year, which might be the critical favorite in the lot, and is currently beating all other contenders in the charts.
Don’t forget that Muscadine Bloodline is up for Duo of the Year too. To see the full 2025 ACM Awards nominees, CLICK HERE.
Awards don’t mean everything, and the ACM Award mean even less than others. But it is good to see the good guys win.
ACM Awards 2025: A Victory for Authenticity? industry Expert Weighs in
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards recently announced its “New Artist of the Year” winners. We sat down with renowned music industry analyst, Amelia Stone, to dissect these results and understand their implications for the future of country music.
Time.news: Amelia, thanks for joining us. The ACMs have revealed their New Artist of the Year winners: Zach Top for New Male Artist, Ella Langley for New Female artist, and The Red Clay Strays as New Duo or group. What are yoru initial thoughts?
Amelia Stone: It’s refreshing. The ACMs often get criticism for being predictable. While these “New Artist” categories are presented in a somewhat understated way, the choices this year feel like a nod towards authenticity and genuine talent.
Time.news: The article we’re discussing suggests these wins indicate “the good guys won.” Can you elaborate on that? What does “good guys” mean in this context?
Amelia Stone: I think it refers to artists who prioritize genuine country music roots and connect with fans on a personal level. Zach Top, for example, is deeply rooted in conventional country. Ella Langley’s appeal lies in her honest songwriting and relatable persona. Even The Red clay Strays, while not strictly country, embody the independent spirit of roots music.
Time.news: Zach Top’s win is engaging, given the strong competition in the New Male Artist category. What made him stand out?
Amelia Stone: Absolutely. He was up against some major names like Shaboozey and Bailey Zimmerman. Zach’s traditional sound, combined with his incredible stage presence and dedicated fanbase, likely gave him the edge. The support from established artists like Brooks & Dunn, who provided a congratulatory video, also highlights his credibility within the industry.
Time.news: Ella Langley’s victory is notably noteworthy. She beat out Dasha who had the viral song “Austin”. what does Langley’s win say for the future of the ACMs?
Amelia Stone: Langley’s win underscores the industry’s willingness to embrace artists who connect authentically with their audience. Dasha of course has had great success with “Austin.” Langley won because people relate to her truth and her real-life struggles.To have a big award like this go to real human relatability is a huge win for the ACM’s future and for country music as a whole.
Time.news: The Red clay Strays, an Alabama-based band, won New Duo or Group. The article mentions they don’t consider themselves a country band. Why do you think they won in a country music category?
Amelia Stone: The line between genres is blurring, and The Red Clay Strays tap into a sound that resonates with country audiences, even if they don’t fit neatly into the traditional mold. Their independent spirit and roots music influence likely appealed to the voters.
Time.news: These wins mean Zach Top, Ella Langley, and The Red Clay strays will perform at the ACM Awards on May 8th. How critically important is that performance prospect?
amelia Stone: It’s massive.The ACM Awards are a huge platform. It will introduce them to a wider audience. A strong performance can substantially boost their careers.Think of this as a springboard into increased visibility and further award nominations.
Time.news: Speaking of future nominations, all of them are up for other ACM awards for the night including Album of The Year and Group of The Year. What is your prediction?
Amelia Stone: It’s hard to say with certainty. What I can say is Zach Top’s album Cold Beer & Country Music, Ella Langley’s existing popularity, and The Red Clay Strays’ general star power make them all serious contenders. They will go far as long as they stick to their roots and grow their current strengths organically.
Time.news: What’s your key takeaway from these New Artist of the Year wins?
Amelia Stone: It signals a potential shift towards valuing authenticity and genuine talent, particularly artists deeply connected to the roots of country music. Whether this translates to broader changes within the ACMs and the industry as a whole remains to be seen, but it’s a positive step.
Time.news: Any final thoughts for aspiring country artists trying to break into the industry?
Amelia Stone: Stay true to yourself. Focus on honing your craft, connecting with your audience, and build a strong foundation. The industry can be tough, but authenticity and hard work will always shine through.
Time.news: Amelia, thank you for your insightful analysis. We appreciate you sharing your expertise with our readers.