old town tours nashville

Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville

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Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Nashville Evening Trolley Tour

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Things to Do

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Hop On Hop Off + Soul of Music City - Nashville's Night Tour

Nashville Hop On Hop Off + Country Music Hall of Fame Combo

Nashville Hop On Hop Off + Hatch Show Prints Combo Tickets

Nashville Hop On Hop Off + Andrew Jacksons Hermitage Combo Tickets

Nashville Shores Waterpark + Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Music City Pub Crawl + Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage + Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Explore Music City aboard the Old Town Trolley Nashville. Take an entire day to hop on and off the trolley at your leisure, or choose to stay on the trolley for the entire 90-minute loop. This fully-narrated city tour includes stops near Nashville’s top attractions including Ryman Auditorium, Centennial Park, Antique Archaeology and more. 1 or more people

Good To Know

• Learn about Music City's rich history.
• Trolley stops at 13 convenient locations.
• Enjoy unlimited hop-on and hop-off as often as you like all day long.
• Full tour is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes if you don't depart for stops.
• Live onboard commentary by your knowledgeable conductor/guide.
• First tour begins at 9:30 am daily at 201 Broadway (stop #1).

Description

Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour Reviews

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Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour is located at Historic Tours of America • 201 Broadway • Nashville , TN 37201

Nearby Things to Do

• Music City Pub Crawl
• Hatch Show Print Studio Tour & Country Music Hall of Fame Combo
• Nashville's RCA Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame Combo
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Nashville
• Hatch Show Print Guided Print Shop Tour

Nearby Hotels & Lodging

• Hilton Nashville Downtown
• Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Nashville Downtown
• Clarion Hotel Nashville Downtown - Stadium
• Best Western Plus Belle Meade Inn & Suites

Frequently Asked Questions about Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

How long is the old town trolley tour if i don’t get on and off at all.

The Old Town Trolley Tour is approximately one hour and 30 minutes if you ride the loop all the way through without hopping off and on.

When do the tours begin?

The tour begins at 9:30 am daily at 201 Broadway (stop #1 ). The last full tour of the day is 4 pm day. Guests taking the 4 pm tour will not be able to use the on/off features. Schedules may vary depending on your starting location, the time of year, day of the week, and any citywide events.

How much knowledge do the conductors have about Nashville?

You will be amazed at how knowledgeable the conductors are and what great storytellers and entertainers they are. The tour conductors undergo a rigorous six-week training program to ensure that their tour is safe, their information is accurate, and their customer service is outstanding.

Are there parking lots near any of the stops?

Parking in Nashville is sometimes a challenge and can be on the expensive side. Still, there are many parking options around the city, including parking garages, parking lots, and city-metered spaces.

Are the tours narrated?

Yes, the tours feature live onboard commentary by your knowledgeable guide / conductor.

Can I get on and off wherever I want?

Yes. This is one of the most unique and enjoyable aspects of a Nashville Old Town Trolley Tour. You can hop off and hop back on at 13 different stops around the city, sightseeing at your own pace.

Where does the trolley stop?

Stops include 201 Broadway, Ryman Auditorium, Music City Walk of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Legislative Plaza, Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, Farmers' Market, Capitol View, Marathon Motor Works, Centennial Park, Hot Chicken, Belmont Mansion, The Gulch, and First Art Museum.

Are food and drinks allowed while on the tour?

Food and drinks are welcome. However, alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

Can the trolleys accommodate an electric scooter?

Electric scooters are allowed where the combined weight of the guest and scooter/wheelchair is less than 600lbs.

Do I have to start at stop #1?

You may start your Old Town Trolley Tour at any of Old Town Trolley Nashville's 13 convenient stops.

Are dogs allowed on the trolleys?

Assistance animals, such as seeing-eye dogs, are the only animals allowed on board the trolleys.

Are the trolleys handicap accessible?

A certain number of trolleys are equipped with hydraulic wheelchair lifts. Please call the number on your e-ticket to arrange the use of these vehicles.

Are the trolleys enclosed?

Old Town Trolleys are open-air vehicles but have plastic “isinglass” windows that can roll up or down depending on the weather conditions.

Does the tour run in inclement weather?

Yes, the tour operates rain or shine, hot or cold, year-round. However, bear in mind that some winter conditions can prohibit safe operation. Occasionally, the tour is forced to close operations for safety.

Are the trolleys heated?

Yes. During the wintertime, heated trolleys are used with glass-enclosed specifically for the colder weather.

Are the trolleys air-conditioned?

The trolleys are open-air vehicles that allow for optimal sightseeing and picture-taking.

How many times can I go through the loop?

You may ride the Old Town Trolley Tour as often as you wish. However, we recommend you get off and on as you go and take advantage of the sights. As the day wears on, many attractions will get increasingly busy, so it’s often best to take advantage of the stops as you go. In addition, you will hear essentially the same information presented each time you go on tour, although presented by each driver with their style and flair.

How often does the trolley pass each stop?

Old Town Trolley Tours of Nashville operates the city’s largest fleet of sightseeing vehicles, allowing them to pick up and drop off more frequently than any other trolley company. The frequency of the trolleys depends on the time of the year and traffic and weather conditions. In addition, trolleys tend to run more frequently on weekends than on weekdays.

If I get off and go to a museum or attraction, does the trolley wait outside?

The trolleys go around the city continuously, allowing guests to hop off and hop on at the designated stops. When you hop off a trolley to see the sights at a particular stop, that trolley will continue with the tour, and another trolley will arrive shortly to make another pick-up.

Can I bring my luggage on board?

Space on the trolleys is limited, but in some cases, it may be acceptable to bring a small suitcase on board. Bear in mind that the trolleys are designed specifically for sightseeing and therefore contain limited storage space (as compared to motor coaches.)

Can I bring my stroller on board the trolley?

Strollers are allowed, but they must be collapsible and be stored up front with the conductor. Strollers in the aisle ways would constitute a safety hazard.

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Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville

• See all photos

Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Nashville Evening Trolley Tour

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville

Hours updated 1 month ago

Review Highlights

“ The tour was a great way to get an overview of the city even though the hop on hop off was not available. ” in 29 reviews

“ All the tour guides (Amy, Collum , Spencer, Jimbo) were super. ” in 3 reviews

“ We had TJ, Jimbo , and Brian as our drivers and they were all great as both drivers and tour guides. ” in 7 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

201 Broadway Ave

Nashville, TN 37201

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Ask the Community

Ask a question

Can you take the trolley back to the first stop after it completes the 14 tour stops?

Is there AC on the bus?

All the windows were down so I don't believe so. However it was not very hot. A breeze from the ride kept us cooled down from the summer heat. It was better than walking out in the direct sun!

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Overall rating

215 reviews

This tour was enjoyable! The driver/tour guide was funny and informative-extremely knowledgeable about the area. He point out the various recording studios, offered historical background info.... We are staying downtown, and it was nice to see the other spots of Nashville. Also they offer discounted tickets to many of the attractions.

Business owner information

Business Manager

Apr 18, 2024

Thank you so much for your detailed comments! Our CAST is very proud of the work they do, and it sounds like it pays off. We're glad to know we're hitting the mark. We hope to see you again next time.

I loved the Old Town Trolley experience it took us to places that we wanted to see & the rest we either Uber'd or walked. It took us to about 12 or 13 different stops. We did the whole tour and then decided on the spots we wanted to hop on & hope off at. Luckily, we didn't have to experience waiting for trolleys & not being able to get on because it was full. The sides were open so you could see alot. We got to see the gulch, 2 museums (we past by a 3rd museum, the African American Music museum & I was surprised that our tour guide didn't even mention it. He mentioned the assembly hall right next door but not this museum). Don't know if some of the other tour guides at least mention it. This museum was absolutely awesome I had the most fun in that one since it was interactive. I did feel the price is a lot for hop on hop off, I've been to others that was cheaper but ‍ I loved the experience. I also liked different tour guides had their own spin & razor dazzle, my last tour guide I know I would've enjoyed the most because he had the most jokes & animation but I only had him for a stop. Wish I had him longer.

See all photos from Jennifer O. for Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville

Apr 6, 2024

We're so happy to hear you had a great time! Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience. I'm sure our team also loves seeing their names on here. We hope you'll come back for more next time you're in one of our other destinations.

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT! This was one of the best things we did in Nashville. We prebooked our tickets then arrived at the pickup spot on Broadway diagonally opposite the Hard Rock Cafe. Since we were the first group on the bus, getting a seat wasn't a problem. However, at the end of the day, buses were full and you had to wait for another bus to come around again and pick you up. We drove through on the entire route 2 times and got on and off at different points. Each time we had a different driver that had their own trivia and information about the city. We learned SO MUCH on this tour from famous landmarks, history, famous original settlers, and of course Country musicians. It was fantastic! TIP: If you are able to, arrive early for the first trolley of the day and plan to be done by about 3pm, because those last buses in the 4pm hour were full and there was a wait. We went in September, so it may not be an issue during low season/winter.

The Famous Tootsies Bar

Nashville Sights

Nov 10, 2023

What an experience! This was one of our favorite ways to explore Nashville. The trolley has a variety of stops around the city and you can get on and off as you please within a certain amount of time. We were able to visit many locations and sightseeing spots with little to no hassle of traveling or navigating the busy streets. each tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, funny and enthusiastic about their love for this wonderful city. I highly recommend taking a ride with them. You definitely won't regret it.

May 2, 2024

I see these buses all over New York City as well as the people offering deals at Time Square. I'm working, I'm focused and don't have time to sit on a bus. Put me in vacation mode? I see a Old Town Trolley Tours bus and my wife agrees its a good idea to see a different perspective of Nashville. We buy our tickets and away we go! First, I recommend doing the entire loop first so you can see the city. We drove by two museums and decided to hop off and start our day seeing the music museum which I highly recommend. The bus sides are open and we were able to enjoy the beautiful weather. The bus driver is navigating the bus and talking about all the historic Nashville spots. They were able to provide video on the TVs to help with the various Nashville stories. My only issue, the one day pass is a little pricey. I'd like to see a discount for military and various coupons like: Hop off at the Gulch section and join us for lunch, $20 off with your bus pass. How about $5 off the museum price with your bus pass? I need to run everything.

Bus tour of Nashville

Old Town Trolley Tour Bus is a hop on and off all day tour bus that stops at thirteen town trolley stops. My mother and I brought tickets to see the city of Nashville. Are driver was funny, pleasant, and very knowledgeable about the city. It was a great way to experience the town of Nashville and it makes frequent stops at The Country Hall of Fame, The Johnny Cash Museum, National African American Museum of Music, other museums, and other site seeing's of the culture of Nashville. Additionally, you can buy tickets on the bus for the museum's for a discounted price. The only disadvantage is that it stops around four. My mother and I missed the last bus from downtown so we took an Uber to are next destination.

We love reading about our guests' experiences, and our CAST also enjoys knowing that they made your trip memorable. Thank you for taking the time to write this. We hope to see you again next time you visit one of our destinations.

60$ a person to wait in the heat, only for a full bus to come and not be able to get a seat. But Good customer service.

May 1, 2024

Please accept our apologies for the delays and overloads you experienced. Our team makes every effort to accommodate the crowds by monitoring ticket sales, dispatching the maximum number of trolleys on high volume days, and maintaining constant communication with our dispatchers to ensure all is being done to assist our guests. We stand behind our efforts with a Satisfaction Guarantee. You can read about it by selecting, "100% Satisfaction Guarantee" on our website, trolley tours dot com. Or go directly to trolley tours dot com/guarantee.

We had two drivers today (April 13, 2024). Hunter was great. My mom (90) had her walker and he immediately jumped down and picked it up and placed it on the bus. He was kind, thoughtful and informative. Our next driver was Robert he was so helpful too. He too was helpful with my Mother's walker. He was also full of interesting local information and history. Thank you to both these men.

Apr 15, 2024

These are all things we love to hear. Thank you so much for your comments! Our guides and storytellers take pride in what they do. Come visit us again in one of our other destinations.

What a wonderful Autumn day tour through the city. Our shuttle driver, Kyle, was wonderful and our tour guide/driver, Amy, made us feel right at home and gave us a fast, humorous and indelible education in the history, culture and singular importance of Nashville as the Music City. The tour included music and display images on overhead screens. We hadn't expected that. We've been on several Old Town Trolley tours but never had any media which is a great story-telling tool. A bus tour is the best way to break the ice when visiting a big, complicated and growing city like Nashville. Now that we have seen all of the best places to park, and the different neighborhoods and places of interest, the next few days of sightseeing will be easier and more productive. Also, the Old Town Trolley bus is the best way to get photos of the city - especially those skyline shots which are so difficult to achieve from the sidewalk.

See all photos from Carmen B. for Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville

Nov 3, 2023

Wow, we're so glad you had a great time! Thanks for sharing those great pictures as well! We hope to see you back.

Such a great concept. We were worried about how many trolleys there were and how often they would come around. But every time we got off and were ready to get on another, the trolley magically showed up. Then we figured it out. There must be at least 13 trolleys because they "appear" at all 13 stops about 930 AM. I think we had three different drivers and they were all very knowledgeable of the sights in Nashville. We were on Music Row and our daughter wanted to get off for a quick photo of a studio. They were gracious enough to allow a quick photo stop. It's a great tour to start your visit to get more acquainted with the memorable spots in Nashville.

Dec 26, 2023

Greetings Dave, These are all things we love to hear. Thank you so much for your comments! Our guides and storytellers take pride in what they do. Come visit us again in one of our other destinations!

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Old Town Nashville Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley Tour

Activity schedule, key highlights.

• Inclusions & Exclusions

1 or 2 days

9:30am to 4pm, approximately every 30 minutes

Please note that timings and stops are subject to change.

Hop on the bus at any of the stops.

Hop off at any off the stops to end the tour.

• Discover the heart of Nashville in an open-air, old-fashioned trolley!
• Customize your own itinerary on this flexible and convenient hop-on, hop-off bus tour
• See the Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum, Bicentennial Mall State Park, & more!
• See local points of interest, architectural landmarks and iconic places seen in famous movies and TV shows
• Meet your friendly and knowledgeable guide!
• Both printed and e-vouchers accepted!

Explore the most popular Nashville attractions during an Old Town Nashville Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley Tour!

Delve into the storied past of Nashville with your Old Town Nashville Trolley Tour tickets! Covering prominent Nashville points of interest, the Old Town Nashville Trolley Tour ensures that you don’t miss a thing. Check out the Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum, Bicentennial Mall State Park, and much more! If you’re planning your first trip to Tennessee, then an Old Town Nashville Trolley Tour is what to do in Nashville!

Enjoy the informative comedic stylings of your friendly and knowledgeable guide as you cruise around Old Town Nashville in an open-air, old-fashioned trolley! Hop on and off at well-placed stops to visit attractions of your choice. Don't wish to hop off at any stop? Sit back and enjoy an entire loop and pass the most significant sites and landmarks. Make sure to keep your camera ready as this tour that boasts lots of great photo ops! 

Stops covered:

• Marathon Motor Works
• Centennial Park
• Belmont Mansion
• Union Station Hotel / Frist Art Museum
• Country Music Hall Of Fame
• Ryman Auditorium
• Legislative Plaza
• Musicians Hall Of Fame And Museum
• Farmers' Market
• Capitol View
• Old Town Nashville Trolley Tour
• Live guide and commentary

Useful downloads

Please note.

Voucher Information: You can show your voucher on your smartphone (But if you’d rather print a copy – that’s fine too!)

Validity: You can use the ticket on any day within 12 months from the date of purchase.

Old Town Trolley Tour vehicles are Orange and Green. Some stops are not marked with a sign due to city regulations. Please call with questions about exact stop locations.

Timings and stops are subject to change. The updated map will be available on the trolley.

Customer Reviews

Ann haviland.

Great experience. Loved the historical narration. Having several monitors on board was very helpful although on 2 of the trolleys we were on, 1 of the monitors was not working.

CARLA SILVEIRA

The instructions were a little confusing.

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Old Town Trolley Tours

Categories:   Tours Family Friendly Arts & Entertainment

201 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201 615-375-3166

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Neighborhood

Mon - Sun 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

• Whiskey River Saloon 111 Broadway (120 feet E)
• Chief's 200 Broadway (146 feet NW)
• Redneck Riviera 208 Broadway (168 feet NW)
• Kid Rock's Big Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse 221 Broadway (188 feet SW)
• Hard Rock Cafe Gift Shop 100 Broadway (162 feet N)
• Market Street Mercantile 111 2nd Ave N (230 feet NW)
• Goo Goo Chocolate Co. 116 3rd Ave S (235 feet SW)
• Helen's Pop Art 417 Church Street (303 feet NE)
• The Johnny Cash Museum Store 119 3rd Ave S (306 feet SW)
• Glen Campbell Museum 111 Broadway (109 feet NE)
• The Patsy Cline Museum 119 3rd Ave S (309 feet SW)
• Carter Lot 203 Broadway (100 feet SE)
• Moxy Hotel Valet 110 3rd Ave S (209 feet SW)
• 211 Commerce Garage 211 Commerce St (298 feet NW)
• TrailWest Lot 120 2nd Ave S (321 feet SE)

Morgan Wallen

Country music singer Morgan Wallen is known for hit songs like “You Proof” and “Last Night,” as well as his 2023 album, One Thing at a Time .

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1993-present

Morgan Wallen News: Singer Receives 6 ACM Award Nominations

Wallen is nominated in six categories —tied for second-most of any artist with Megan Moroney—at the annual awards show, which will be hosted by “Queen of Country” Reba McEntire . He’s in the running for major awards like Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, as well as Album of the Year for One Thing at a Time and Single of the Year for his No. 1 hit “Last Night.” The 31-year-old’s other nominations include Artist-Songwriter of the Year and Music Event of the Year for his “Man Made A Bar” collaboration with Eric Church.

At the 2023 ACM Awards, Wallen won Male Artist of the Year but canceled his performance and didn’t appear at the ceremony after injuring his vocal cords while on tour . The three-time ACM Award–winner also previously took home Album of the Year honors for Dangerous: The Double Album (2021).

Quick Facts

Early life and family, contestant on the voice, breakthrough: “whiskey glasses” and other songs, superstardom with one thing at a time, racial slur and other controversies, personal life and son, who is morgan wallen.

Morgan Wallen is a country singer known for hit songs like “You Proof,” “Last Night,” and “Whiskey Glasses.” He first rose to prominence with his appearance on the sixth season of the NBC singing competition The Voice in 2014. Wallen’s music has since garnered mass appeal, with his 2023 album One Thing at a Time rising to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. At one point, he simultaneously held half of the top 10 tracks on the Billboard Hot 100 with songs off the album—something only five other artists, including Taylor Swift and The Beatles , have accomplished. However, the singer has also stirred controversy with his offstage behavior, including using a racial slur in a 2021 incident caught on camera.

FULL NAME: Morgan Cole Wallen BORN: May 13, 1993 BIRTHPLACE: Sneedville, Tennessee CHILD: Indigo Wilder ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Morgan Cole Wallen was born May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee, to parents Tommy and Lesli Wallen. He has three younger sisters: Ashlyne, Mikaela, and Lacey, whom Tommy and Lesli adopted in 2021. The family later relocated to nearby Knoxville when Morgan was a high school freshman.

At age 3, Wallen started singing at the local Southern Baptist church, where Tommy served as pastor and eventually sang three-part harmonies with Ashlyne and Mikaela. He received a violin for Christmas at age 5 and began taking lessons. He also played and trained on the piano growing up. His father was a rock ’n’ roll music fan and introduced him to artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac , and the Eagles.

However, Wallen first believed his path was baseball. Playing for Gibbs High School in Knoxville—which also calls Kenny Chesney an alumnus—he became a star shortstop and pitcher. During a game his senior year, he suffered a torn UCL in his elbow that required surgery. Colleges lost interest following the injury, and Wallen took a few months off following his graduation in 2011 to figure out his future. “I prayed and tried to figure out what was my plan and my purpose. That’s how I started writing songs and playing guitar just to get my feelings out,” Wallen told LancasterOnline in 2017.

Wallen began his music career by playing for his mother and friends, who told him he had talent. However, it would be his appearance on a popular reality TV show that truly set him up for success.

In 2014, Wallen boarded an airplane for the first time to fly to Los Angeles and audition for the sixth season of The Voice , the popular NBC singing competition show. He performed Howie Day’s 2003 pop hit “Collide” and impressed celebrity judges Shakira and Usher . “I think that there are no voices like your voice on today’s radio—that’s why I turned [my chair],” Shakira told him. “It’s as manly as it gets.” Wallen chose Usher to be his mentor.

Wallen made it through the first and second battle rounds, performing Avicii’s “Hey Brother” and “Story of My Life” by One Direction. Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine even “stole” Wallen for his team of performers. However, Wallen was eliminated in the playoff portion of the competition.

Still, the experience increased his profile and allowed Wallen to pick up industry connections. He also zeroed in on country music as the genre that best suited him. “It may not have been the biggest influence in my life, as far as musically,” he told The New Yorker in 2020. “But once I started writing songs, it just sounded country. And I was like, well, I guess I’ll sing country music, because this is the life I know.”

Following The Voice , Wallen moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to advance his career. He formed a temporary band called Morgan Wallen & Them Shadows with Serg Sanchez of the group Atom Smash. Sanchez introduced Wallen to executives at Panacea Records, which signed the artist in 2015 and financed an EP called Stand Alone and the single “Spin You Around.”

In August 2016, Big Loud Records announced it had signed the then-23-year-old Wallen, who continued working with music producer Joey Moi. Wallen released his debut single with the label, “The Way I Talk,” that same year.

Next came his debut studio album, If I Know Me , in April 2018. It rose into the top 20 on the Billboard 200 and contained the songs “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line and “Whiskey Glasses.” The latter reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart and peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019, marking his biggest success to date. Wallen went on tour with Florida Georgia Line that same year. When the Country Music Association named Wallen the New Artist of the Year at the November 2020 CMA Awards, it cemented his status as one of the rising stars in the genre.

Wallen continued to surge in popularity with his second studio album, Dangerous: The Double Album , in January 2021. The release debuted at No. 1 and had the largest streaming week ever for a country album, according to Billboard . It contained songs like “7 Summers” and “Wasted on You,” which peaked at No. 6 and 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Dangerous proved to have staying power, as the album reached its 86 th nonconsecutive week in the Billboard 200’s top 10 in September 2022—the most ever. Peter, Paul, and Mary held the previous record, which dates back to the early 1960s, for their self-titled album.

But Wallen wasn’t resting on the success. In May 2022, he released the single “You Proof.” The song became Wallen’s top chart performer, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Thought You Should Know” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 that same month and reached a high point of No. 7 almost a full year later.

By then, Wallen had already released his 36-track album One Thing at a Time and embarked on a (since-extended) 65-show world tour. The March 2023 album was an immediate success, quickly topping the Billboard 200 and placing the song “Last Night” atop the singles chart. Four other songs—“You Proof,” “Thought You Should Know,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” and the title track—simultaneously reached the top 10, making Wallen accountable for half of it. Only Taylor Swift, The Beatles, 21 Savage, Drake , and Juice WRLD had accomplished the feat.

Unsurprisingly, Wallen won the Academy of Country Music Award for Male Artist of the Year in May 2023. Months later, in September, he was nominated for three CMA Awards—Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for One Thing at a Time —but left the ceremony empty-handed.

In April 2024, Wallen began a months-long extension of his One Night at a Time World Tour from the previous year. He also received six ACM Award nominations, including in the categories for Entertainer, Male Artist, Album, and Single of the Year.

While Wallen has generally made headlines for his music, the singer has also gained notoriety for several offstage incidents. He was arrested in May 2020 on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct following an incident at a bar and steakhouse owned by Kid Rock in Nashville, Tennessee.

In October 2020, Wallen was scheduled to be the musical guest on an episode of the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live . But in the days leading up to the performance, videos emerged on social media showing Wallen drinking shots, kissing fans, and failing to follow social distancing guidelines after a football game at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Because of show protocols instituted amid the COVID-19 pandemic, SNL replaced Wallen with The White Stripes frontman Jack White. Wallen owned up to his behavior and, two months later, made fun of himself and the incident during his rescheduled appearance on the show in a skit with actor Jason Bateman .

Then, in February 2021, TMZ posted a video of Wallen calling his friend the N-word and using other profanities outside his Nashville home following a night out with friends. Wallen quickly apologized for using the slur, but some radio stations and streaming services dropped him from their playlists. He was also disqualified from the 2021 ACM Awards and temporarily dropped by his label, Big Loud.

That July, Wallen gave his first interview following the incident to ABC’s Good Morning America and said he didn’t mean to use the term in a derogatory manner. “I was around some of my friends, and we say dumb stuff together. In our minds, it’s playful. That sounds ignorant, but that’s really where it came from. And it’s wrong,” Wallen said, adding that he and his friends had been drinking leading up to the exchange. Wallen said he had donated $500,000 from his album sales—which spiked following the backlash—to organizations such as the Black Music Action Coalition and spent a month in rehab in San Diego. “I spent some time... you know, just trying to figure it out… why am I acting this way? Do I have an alcohol problem? Do I have a deeper issue?” he explained.

Wallen disappointed fans in April 2023 when he canceled a show at the University of Mississippi minutes before taking the stage because he had lost his voice. A couple of weeks later, the singer revealed doctors had ordered him to go on extended vocal rest because of injured vocal cords and vocal fold trauma. He subsequently canceled six weeks of shows on his One Night at a Time World Tour. He returned to performing in late June at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Most recently, Wallen was arrested again in April 2024 after allegedly throwing a chair off the roof of a bar in downtown Nashville. Metro Nashville Police charged the singer with three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. Wallen waived his right to appear in person at a preliminary hearing, and he is slated to appear in court on August 15 . “I’m not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility,” Wallen later posted on social media .

Wallen reportedly began dating Katie “KT” Smith in 2017. The pair dated off and on through 2019, even becoming engaged, but ultimately split. They share a son, Indigo Wilder.

Indigo, or “Indie,” was born in July 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Although the singer and Smith had split by that point, Wallen has said the two do their best as co-parents. His parents also traveled from their home in Tennessee to help care for Indigo. “I just hope to give him as sound advice as my parents gave me and show him love and let him know that I’m here for him and that I’m his friend,” Wallen told People in January 2021.

In June 2023, Indigo was taken to the hospital after being bitten in the face by Smith’s dog, Legend. He received stitches but was okay, according to Smith, who looked to re-home the animal.

Wallen also quietly dated model and influencer Paige Lorenze starting in 2021. According to reports, the couple broke up in February 2022, only weeks after going public with their relationship.

As of June 2023, Wallen was rumored to be dating fellow country singer Megan Moroney. However, Moroney didn’t confirm or deny a relationship in an interview with People , saying the dating gossip made her “really uncomfortable.”

According to Celebrity Net Worth , Wallen’s total net worth is estimated at around $12 million as of July 2023.

• I always kinda thought that I was going to have to scrap around and live paycheck to paycheck. I didn’t know exactly what I was gonna do. I had no clue… Obviously, that’s not the case anymore.
• I don’t necessarily speak my feelings a lot. Yeah, definitely writing and singing is damn near the only way I can get my feelings out.
• I got my little boy, I got my family. I don’t know, man—everything is really good for me right now, so gratitude is at the top of my vocabulary.
• Awards are awesome, but my true measure of success is my fans.
• I just try to tell how it is—the good, the bad, the love, the heartbreak. That’s all I know how to do.

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !

Tyler Piccotti first joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor in February 2023, and before that worked almost eight years as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, catching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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From hitmaker to historian: Why Ernest is reviving the sound of classic country music

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The country artist known simply as Ernest is a couple of cocktails deep on a recent afternoon in the rooftop garden of West Hollywood’s Soho House, a diamond pendant the size of a AA battery nestled within the open neck of his blue western shirt.

The pendant, which reads DANGEROUS, is one of three matching pieces he commissioned from a jeweler in Orange County — one for Ernest, one for Hardy, one for Morgan Wallen — as a memento of the trio’s time writing songs together for Wallen’s six-times-platinum “Dangerous: The Double Album.” The western shirt, meanwhile, reflects Ernest’s love of Ralph Lauren. The designer’s career in fashion, as depicted in the 2019 documentary “Very Ralph,” “changed my life,” Ernest says. “Seriously. I watched it three or four years ago and shortly after cleaned out my closet and started shopping Double RL.” Ernest’s mood board for the cover of his new album, “Nashville, Tennessee,” contained a picture of Lauren leaning against a barn with an American flag in the background.

“We shot the cover in my barn,” he says of himself and his wife, Delaney Royer, who handles Ernest’s visual content. “But we made the mood board before we even bought our farm.”

The rare Nashville native in country music, Ernest, 32, has always been interested in clothes, even if he lacked the wherewithal to indulge his passion. “High school was Sperrys, khakis and a school polo,” he says. Now, though — thanks to No. 1 country hits he’s penned for Sam Hunt (“ Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90s ”), Kane Brown (“ One Mississippi ”) and especially Wallen, with whom he wrote nearly two dozen songs across “Dangerous” and Wallen’s 2023 blockbuster, “ One Thing at a Time ” — he’s got plenty of dough to splurge on more imaginative threads.

“I’m here for like 48 hours and I brought five outfits,” he says with a laugh at Soho House, where he’s spending part of a quick trip to L.A. before heading to Dodger Stadium to watch his childhood friend Mookie Betts battle the Giants. (Thus, perhaps, his choice of blue.)

As a songwriter, Ernest specializes in creating melodies and vocal lines that adapt a rapper’s flow patterns to the cadences of country music; his tunes embody the casual hybridity of a generation that grew up in the overlapping shadows of Garth Brooks and Snoop Dogg. His latest hit, “ I Had Some Help ” by the duo of Post Malone and Wallen, dropped Friday and rocketed over the weekend to the top of Spotify’s Global Top 50 chart with more than 13 million streams.

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“Ernest is one of the most magical songwriters in Nashville,” says Jelly Roll , the Southern rapper turned country singer who wrote his chart-topping “Son of a Sinner” with Ernest. “When we look back at the 2020s, he’ll be one of the names remembered for bringing an entire sound to this decade.”

Yet as an artist Ernest is trying something slightly different on “Nashville, Tennessee,” his second LP under his own name after 2022’s “Flower Shops (The Album).” It’s a sprawling 26-track collection that reaches back to an old-fashioned country-music sensibility, with rip-roaring honky-tonk jams up against finely detailed string-band excursions and handsome tear-in-your-beer ballads. Among Ernest’s goals for the project is introducing these traditional styles to the younger listeners tuned into his more modern work.

“If you like how this feels,” he says, “go check out Vern Gosdin or Roger Miller or go listen to Ray Charles’ ‘Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.’”

At the same time, he’s eager to broaden the minds of older folks potentially predisposed to write off the likes of Wallen or Hardy. “Some of the songs I’ve written for other artists definitely fall into the that-ain’t-country category,” he says. “It’s easy for somebody to say that because they’ve got 808s or trap beats or whatnot. But that’s coming from the same hands that wrote a song on my album like ‘ Ain’t as Easy ,’” he adds, referring to a sumptuous weeper draped in pedal steel.

The result has a kind of musicological sweep that not only honors the cultural breadth of Ernest’s hometown — a city he loves enough that his and Royer’s 3-year-old son is named Ryman after Nashville’s storied Ryman Auditorium — but also evokes ideas of lineage and inheritance.

“Ernest is a real student of country music, and I think he’s on track to becoming a master of his craft,” says Lukas Nelson, who joins Ernest for a duet in the jumping western swing number “Why Dallas.” “He’s already had commercial success, but I think he and I would agree that mastery has nothing to do with that. Mastery is more about the depth of your artistry.”

Indeed, you can look at Ernest’s ambitions with “Nashville, Tennessee” as his way of spending some of the music-biz capital he accrued over the last few years. “That’s what I did with ‘A Star Is Born,’” says Nelson, who views the songs he wrote for the 2018 Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga blockbuster as “a vehicle to further fuel my creativity.”

“I want this album to live beyond just being a hot, sizzling record right now,” Ernest says. “That’s secondary to the importance of it being one of those albums we’re talking about down the road.”

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He might end up getting it both ways: Last month, Ernest had a plum main-stage performance spot at Indio’s Stagecoach festival, where he also put in cameos with Wallen and with Nelson and Nelson’s 90-year-old legend of a dad, Willie. And he’s up for two prizes at this week’s Academy of Country Music Awards, new male artist of the year and artist-songwriter of the year.

Before he turned seriously to music, Ernest (whose last name is Smith) grew up playing baseball. He’s known Betts, a fellow Nashville native, since he was 8 and competed both alongside and against him until the two graduated high school. “Mookie struck out one time his senior year, and it was off me,” he says today with a grin.

As a kid, his “holy trinity” of musicians were Eminem, John Mayer and George Strait; after dropping out of college, he made a short-lived go at being a rapper but eventually refocused on country songwriting. Hunt’s 2014 debut “Montevallo” — on which the former college football player struck an elegant blend of country, hip-hop and R&B — was a crucial inspiration. “It had everybody scrambling,” Ernest says. His first big moment as an artist came in 2021 with his song “ Flower Shops ,” a duet with Wallen that cracked the top 20 of Billboard’s country chart and led to a profile-boosting gig as Wallen’s opening act on the road.

For the new album, which opens with a funny (and true) two-hander with Jelly Roll called “ I Went to College / I Went to Jail ,” Ernest and his producer, Joey Moi, instituted what they called “the Opry filter.” That meant that every arrangement had to be playable by the live band at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry — no samples or programmed beats allowed.

“We did everything as authentically as possible,” says Moi, who also produces Wallen’s and Hardy’s records. “All the Nashville players — these guys who’ve been around for two, three, four decades — they’re all obsessed with Ernest. They’re like, ‘Oh, my God — finally .’”

Yet Ernest hardly maintains a gatekeeper’s mindset regarding country music. “I think the genre is wide open right now in the best way ever,” he says as he orders another drink — a Bee’s Knees, to be exact — from a server.

Asked what he thinks about the handful of pop stars — among them Malone, Beyoncé and Lana Del Rey — making country moves lately, he says, “It just means there’s more eyes on country music. I think Beyoncé is gonna do for the genre what Taylor Swift did for the NFL. I’m honored to get to have an album drop and be living in the same world as the queen.”

Does he have a favorite track from Beyoncé’s “ Cowboy Carter ”? “Spaghettii,” he replies. “I love that she’s talking her s—. You can tell she did her homework, and I appreciate that.” Ernest says he’s heard Del Rey’s “Lasso,” the title track from an album she’s said is coming later this year, and that it’s good; he also says he’s written “a bunch of songs” with Malone beyond “I Had Some Help.”

He’s just as enthused about Zach Bryan, the raw, rootsy singer-songwriter from Oklahoma who’s irritated some in the Nashville record industry by building an enormous audience without relying on the help of country radio. “I f— with how much he doesn’t give a f—,” Ernest says. “Things can be so pretty and so careful. What he does is refreshing. People say his records sound like he recorded in a bedroom or a basement. But guess what? Most people are listening to it in a bedroom or a basement.”

As Ernest prepares to spend the summer on tour with Brooks & Dunn, does he ever think back to his early days as a rapper? “Oh yeah — that all pulses through my DNA as a creator,” he says. His favorite part of rapping was freestyling, he adds; he’s got videos on his phone of him and Jelly Roll going back and forth on a tour bus for an hour at a time.

“Now when I pick up a guitar, it feels like the world’s moving slow,” he says. “The thoughts are coming way faster than I have the time to say them.”

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Old Town Trolley Tours Nashville 4.5

Nashville Day and Soul of Music City Tour Package

Old Town Trolley Tours: Hop aboard the Old Town Trolley. More than just a sightseeing tour, it is a fun and educational adventure as your trolley conductor provides an entertaining narration that includes little known facts and behind-the-scenes tips.

Soul of Music City Tour: Experience the true heart of Nashville aboard our Soul of Music City Tour! Led by a talented performing guide, you’ll be transported on an exciting journey to explore the different music genres that have been in Music City over the years.

By day, hop onboard the Old Town Trolley Nashville and tour the most popular attractions in Music City. Later, experience the true heart and musical soul of Nashville on our Soul of Music City Tour.

Your Nashville Day and Soul of Music City Tour Package Includes:

• Day Tour: 1 day of unlimited free re-boarding at 13 Old Town Trolley stops
• You may start your tour at any of our convenient stops
• 100% live narration (no pre-recorded tours)
• Soul of Music City Tour: Hear stories and original songs shared by our talented guides
• See Nashville’s skyline and notable landmarks
• See the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and breathtaking views of the city
• Learn about the diverse music genres that have been in Nashville over the years
• Hear stories about the rhythm & blues scene in Nashville
• Get the scoop on some Nashville hot spots
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• Attraction tickets do not have to be used on the same day

Nashville Old Town Trolley Tours

The very mention of Nashville often conjures up the image of a stage full of ornate boot and cowboy hat clad, banjo picking entertainers performing in front of star-struck concert-goers keeping time to the rhythm and dreaming of one day gracing that stage themselves.

While that’s a fairly common scenario, we’re going to show you that Nashville is so much more than that. Long before Nashville got its name, it was a promised land for pioneers and idealists of varying genre – A place for talented, hard-working, passionate folks to stake their fortunes not only in music and the arts, but medicine, high tech, academia and even candy!

From the hunter-gatherers making their home along the Cumberland and the lone French fur trader establishing a trading post, to the initial hearty settlers of Fort Nashborough and the first musician to step off a bus onto Broadway with nothing but a guitar and dream—Nashville has been the hook on which the brave and entrepreneurial have hung their hopes and aspirations.

Their success inspires others to hone their chops and journey to Music City in search of their own big hit. As we weave our way through this rich and vibrant city learning about, and paying tribute to its legends and pioneers, you won’t help but feel inspired, too!

Nashville Soul of Music City Tour

From the city’s rhythm & blues heritage and honky tonks, to its famous music venues, uncover insider stories and intriguing facts about the people, places, and events responsible for the city’s iconic reputation. It’s an evening filled with music, history and fun and a close-up view of some of the most legendary spots in town.

A Few Points of Interest:

• Ryman Auditorium
• Municipal Auditorium & Musicians Hall of Fame
• Rhythm & Blues heritage of Historic Jefferson Street
• Elliston Place “Rock Block”

Be sure to allow time during your visit to Nashville to see Marathon Motor Works, where you can see some of the original Marathon Vehicles on display, see many relics from the days when this was the Marathon factory, and now see incredible shops.

Old Town Trolley Stops in Nashville

• 1 stop Marathon Motor Works
• 2 stop Centennial Park
• 3 stop Hot Chicken
• 4 stop Belmont Mansion
• 5 stop The Gulch
• 6 stop Union Station Hotel / FRIST Art Museum
• 7 stop Country Music Hall of Fame
• 8 stop 201 Broadway
• 9 stop Ryman Auditorium
• 10 stop TPAC / Legislative Plaza
• 11 stop Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
• 12 stop Farmers' Market
• 13 stop Capitol View

Booth Locations

Marathon Motor Works – Trolley Stop #1 Sales reps are available at 1200 Clinton St.

Country Music Hall of Fame Area – Trolley Stop #7 1 Symphony Place, Nashville, TN 37201.

Downtown Nashville – Trolley Stop #8 201 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201.

Ryman Auditorium – Trolley Stop #9 Corner of Commerce St. and Rep. John Lewis Way.

Old Town Trolley Tours

Tours open daily.

Monday through Friday: 9am – 2pm. Last full tour departs stop #1 at 2pm and ends at 3:50pm. Last Reboarding – 2:00pm. Please be on a trolley or at a stop by 2:00pm to guarantee pickup.

Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 4pm. Last full tour departs stop #1 at 4pm and ends at 5:50pm. Last Reboarding – 4:00pm. Please be on a trolley or at a stop by 4:00pm to guarantee pickup.

Closed on following days: Rock ‘n’ roll Marathon, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Length of tour: 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Download daily operating schedule .

Nashville’s Soul of Music City Tour

Duration: 1.5 hours*

Boarding Location: Marathon Motor Works 1200 Clinton Street Nashville, TN 37203

Parking: Paid parking is available in the boarding area at 1200 Clinton Street.

See calendar for tour times.

Call us at (615) 375-3166.

Reservations apply to the Soul of Music City Tour portion of this package only. Please arrive 30 minutes early.

*Soul of Music City Tour: Reservations required. Reservation based tickets are non-refundable. You may reschedule up to 24 hours in advance of tour time. Tour length times may vary depending upon road conditions or traffic.

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2024 acm awards winners: complete list.

Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton were big winners of the night, walking away with trophies in major categories.

By Anna Chan, Billboard

Anna Chan, Billboard

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The Academy of  Country  Music’s “party of the year” has come and gone! The 59th  ACM Awards  — which were broadcast live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas — on Thursday (May 16), started the evening with Luke Combs leading in nominations with eight nods, while Megan Moroney — this year’s most nominated woman at the ACMs — and Morgan Wallen were just behind him with six.

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Acm awards: post malone, dua lipa share stage with country artists as lainey wilson wins entertainer of the year, 'baby reindeer,' 'the curse,' 'shogun' among inaugural gotham tv awards nominees.

The 2024 ceremony wa hosted by country music icon Reba McEntire, who is a 16-time ACM Awards winner, and produced by Dick Clark Productions. (DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldridge. PMC is the parent company of  Billboard .)

Keep reading to see who took home wins at the 2024 ACM Awards .

Entertainer of the year

Kane Brown Luke Combs Jelly Roll Cody Johnson Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen WINNER: Lainey Wilson

Female artist of the year

Kelsea Ballerini Ashley McBryde Megan Moroney Kacey Musgraves WINNER: Lainey Wilson

Male artist of the year

Luke Combs Jelly Roll Cody Johnson WINNER: Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen

Duo of the year

Brooks & Dunn  Brothers Osborne  WINNER: Dan + Shay  Maddie & Tae  The War And Treaty

Group of the year

Flatland Cavalry Lady A  Little Big Town  WINNER: Old Dominion  Zac Brown Band

New female artist of the year

Kassi Ashton Ashley Cooke Hannah Ellis Kylie Morgan  WINNER: Megan Moroney 

New male artist of the year

ERNEST  Kameron Marlowe Dylan Scott  Conner Smith WINNER: Nate Smith 

New duo or group of the year

Neon Union Restless Road WINNER: Tigirlily Gold

Album of the year

[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

WINNER:  Higher  – Chris Stapleton; Producer: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton; Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville

Leather  – Cody Johnson; Producers: Trent Willmon; Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville LLC

One Thing at a Time  – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records

Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good)  – Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment

Single of the year

“Burn It Down” – Parker McCollum; Producer: Jon Randall; Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

WINNER: “Fast Car” – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Record Company-Label: River House Artists / Columbia Nashville

“Last Night” – Morgan Wallen; Producer: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records

“Need a Favor” – Jelly Roll; Producer: Austin Nivarel; Record Company-Label: Stoney Creek Records / BMG Nashville

“Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

Song of the year

[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

“Heart Like a Truck” – Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson; Publishers: Sony / ATV Countryside; Songs of Riser House; Songs of Wild Cat Well Music

WINNER: “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis; Songwriters: Chase McGill, Greylan James, Jordan Davis, Josh Osborne; Publishers: Family Farm Songs; Hold On Can I Get A Number 1 Music; Songs of Universal Inc.

“The Painter” – Cody Johnson; Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins; Publishers: Big Music Machine; BMG Platinum Songs US; Nashblonde Music; Pompano Run Music; Songs for Ellie May; Sony / ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Group; Well That Was Awkward Music

“Tennessee Orange” – Megan Moroney; Songwriters: Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins; Publishers: 33 Creative; Bone Bone Creative; Sony / ATV Tree Publishing

Music event of the year

“Can’t Break Up Now” – Old Dominion, Megan Moroney; Producers: Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Ross Copperman, Kristian Bush; Record Company-Label: Three Up Three Down, LLC / Columbia Nashville

“Different ‘Round Here” – Riley Green (Ft. Luke Combs); Producer: Dann Huff; Record Company-Label: BMLG Records

“Man Made a Bar” – Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church); Producer: Joey Moi; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Mercury Records / Republic Records

WINNER: “Save Me” – Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson); Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens; Record Company-Label: Stoney Creek Records / BMG Nashville

Visual media of the year

[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

WINNER: “Burn It Down” – Parker McCollum; Producers: Christen Pinkston &Wesley Stebbins-Perry; Director: Dustin Haney

“Human” – Cody Johnson; Producer: Christen Pinkston &Wesley Stebbins-Perry; Director: Dustin Haney

“In Your Love” – Tyler Childers; Producer: Kacie Barton, Whitney Wolanin, Nicholas Robespierre, Ian Thorton, Silas House; Director: Bryan Schlam

“Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis; Producer: Jamie Stratakis; Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone)

“Tennessee Orange – Megan Moroney; Producer: Lauren Starr, Saul Levitz, Laura Burhenn; Director: Jason Lester

Songwriter of the year

WINNER: Jessie Jo Dillon  Ashley Gorley Hillary Lindsey Chase McGill Josh Thompson

Artist-songwriter of the year

Zach Bryan ERNEST HARDY WINNER: Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen

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ACM Awards 2024 Predictions: Who Will Take Home the Top Honors?

Seven artists are vying for the ACM's entertainer of the year trophy.

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Who will be the big winner at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday (May 16) night?

2024 ACM Awards: Check Out the List of Performers and Presenters for This Year’s Show

Luke Combs , who is hoping to land his first entertainer of the year win in his fifth nomination, leads all artists with eight nods. Should he take home entertainer of the year, he will clinch the ACMs Awards’ Triple Crown — bestowed upon acts who have also taken home the trophy for new artist and artist of the year in their eligible categories.

He is followed by Megan Moroney , who is the leading female nominee, and reigning male artist of the year Morgan Wallen, both of whom nabbed six nods. Cody Johnson , reigning entertainer of the year Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson each garnered five nominations. Wilson was last year’s big winner, along with HARDY, taking home four trophies.

Trending on Billboard

Tracy Chapman receives her first ACM nomination as writer of song of the year nominee, “Fast Car.”

Returning for a record 17th time, Reba McEntire will host the show, which will stream for free live on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas starting at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT. The 16-time ACM Award winner will also perform.  The eligibility period for nominations runs Jan. 1, 2023-Dec. 31, 2023.

Below, Billboard ’s Melinda Newman and Jessica Nicholson select their picks to take home the trophy.

Entertainer of the Year

Cody Johnson

Chris Stapleton

Morgan Wallen

Lainey Wilson

Newman: Stapleton is the reigning champ, but even he seemed surprised when he won last year. In his fifth try, Combs is more than deserving of his first win, but faces very stiff competition from the other contenders, especially Wallen and Jelly Roll. Plus, after being the surprise winner at the CMA Awards, it’s foolish to rule out Wilson. Winner: Wallen

Nicholson: Each contender in this category has had a solid year including chart-topping singles, sold-out arena or stadium shows, and/or an array of high-profile media appearances. Having released his album Higher in November and continued his All-American Road Show tour, Stapleton could repeat last year’s entertainer win. However, Combs has been spearheading his slate of stadium concerts and several international stops, and had one of the songs of the summer with “Fast Car.” Winner: Combs

Female Artist of the Year

Ashley McBryde

Megan Moroney

Kacey Musgraves

Newman : All these deserving women had stellar years, including Moroney, who is the rookie of the bunch, but Wilson, who took home the award last year, continues her meteoric rise and seems unstoppable. Winner: Wilson

Nicholson: Each artist here has released a stellar slate of music over the past year, including Ballerini’s post-divorce album Rolling Up the Welcome Mat and Moroney’s debut album Lucky . But Wilson’s rocketship-like career surge doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Winner: Wilson

Male Artist of the Year

Newman: Wallen is the reigning champ and he could end up repeating, especially given the success of “Last Night,” which spent eight weeks atop the Country Airplay chart. Combs and Stapleton have also both prevailed before. But Jelly Roll has had an undeniable year. Winner: Jelly Roll

Nicholson: Combs and Wallen each scored major crossover hits over the past year, with Combs’s cover of “Fast Car” and Wallen’s “Last Night” each notching lengthy stays in the upper echelon of the Hot 100. Johnson had a solid year and just earned another chart-topper with “The Painter,” while three-time ACM male artist of the year winner Stapleton should never be counted out as a serious awards contender. Still, Jelly Roll notched three No. 1 Country Airplay hits last year, including the four-week chart-topper “Need a Favor,” while leading a headlining tour and becoming a seemingly ubiquitous media presence over the past year. Winner: Jelly Roll

Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn 

Brothers Osborne 

Maddie & Tae 

The War and Treaty

Newman: Dan + Shay and Brothers Osborne have traded off winning this award for the last several years and there’s no reason to think they’d stop now, despite the warranted rising acclaim for The War & Treaty, who continue to build their following. The slight edge goes to Dan + Shay, who rose back to the top of the charts with “Save Me the Trouble,” headlined a sold-out arena tour and joined The Voice . Winner: Dan + Shay

Nicholson: Since 2017, Brothers Osborne has taken home the gold here four times, while Dan+Shay have thrice earned the trophy in this category. While The War and Treaty saw their career continue to rise over the past year thanks to high-profile performances and their collaboration with Zach Bryan on “Hey Driver,” look for Dan+Shay to take the lead here. Dan +Shay nearly broke up, only to experience a career renaissance by earning a couple of top 5 Country Airplay hits over the past year and expanding their audience through their work on The Voice . Winner: Dan+Shay

Group of the Year

Flatland Cavalry

Lady A 

Little Big Town 

Old Dominion 

Zac Brown Band

Newman: In an era where labels are more focused on developing solo artists than groups, Old Dominion is going for its seventh group of the year trophy, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t succeed as they continue their deserved dominance in this category.  Winner: Old Dominion

Nicholson: Coming off of the success of their 2023 album Memory Lane , with the title track and their Megan Moroney collaboration “Can’t Break Up Now” both heating up Country Airplay chart over the past year, the group seems poised to once again take home the trophy here. However, it is nice to see some newcomers represented in the category, with the inclusion of Texas group Flatland Cavalry. Winner: Old Dominion

Album of the Year

Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs; Producer: Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs; Record Company-Label: River House Artists / Columbia Nashville Higher – Chris Stapleton; Producer: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton; Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville Leather – Cody Johnson; Producers: Trent Willmon; Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville LLC One Thing at a Time – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good)– Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment

Newman: Five very worthy entries, all showcasing artists at different stages in their careers. Stapleton tends to be a lock in this category for good reason, and can never be discounted. But this year Wallen has the tailwind, given One Thing at a Time ’s record-breaking status as the country album with the most weeks spent at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200, its singles’ dominance at radio and the lift the set has given country music — in addition to being chock-full of catchy songs.  Winner: One Thing at a Time

Nicholson: Each finalist here issued an award-worthy project. In terms of pure consumption and fan devotion, Wallen’s presence in this category with One Thing at a Time is undeniable, though some ACM Awards voters could be turned off due to some of Wallen’s recent non-musical activities . Ballerini, Johnson and Combs have also put out some of the strongest projects of their careers, while Stapleton is deservedly a mainstay in this category. Winner: Higher

Single of the Year

[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] “Burn It Down” – Parker McCollum; Producer: Jon Randall; Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville “Fast Car” – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Record Company-Label: River House Artists / Columbia Nashville “Last Night” – Morgan Wallen; Producer: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records “Need a Favor” – Jelly Roll; Producer: Austin Nivarel; Record Company-Label: Stoney Creek Records / BMG Nashville “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

Newman: Is there a truer line than “I only talk to God when I need a favor?” In an extremely competitive category, all five of these songs were well-produced and well-sung, but the marriage of the message and Jelly Roll’s urgent vocal delivery provided the strongest gut punch. Winner: “Need a Favor”

Nicholson: With “Fast Car” and “Last Night” pulling such strong showings over the past year and going head-to-head in this category, either could pull off the win here. “Next Thing You Know” and “Burn It Down” are also both excellent. But Jelly Roll’s emotional plea, which logged four weeks at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, is the top contender to bring home the trophy. Winner: “Need a Favor”

Song of the Year

[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

Newman: All five songs were milestone recordings for the artists who performed them, and it’s a little hard to pick a 36-year-cover as the winner — but “Fast Car” checks all the boxes of what a truly great country song should do. All these years later, it still hits in the feels with its emotional tale of wanting a better life and all the stalled dreams in the world can’t make it happen. Plus, Combs’ delivery rings beautifully poignant.   Winner: “Fast Car”

Nicholson: Each of these contenders has made a strong showing on Billboard ’s country charts. But while the songs from Wilson, Davis, Johnson and Moroney each offer up distinct takes on love and romance, Combs’s version of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” highlighted the enduring power of Chapman’s poetic-yet-unfiltered storytelling, and her signature song of aspirations and dreams dashed by poverty and alcoholism. Winner: “Fast Car”

DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldridge. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.

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Music and Concerts | Carlton, Minnesota, songwriter’s ode to…

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Music and concerts, subscriber only, music and concerts | carlton, minnesota, songwriter’s ode to hometown wins national contest.

“I love getting to experience new places,” Schmidt said. “But whenever I was visiting them, I always saw myself really appreciating and valuing where I grew up, and kind of yearning to be back home.”

That yearning to go back home inspired Schmidt to pen the song “Small Town Girl,” which was recently announced to be the winner of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Words & Music: Journey of a Song,” a national lyric writing contest for teens 13-18.

As the winner, Schmidt will travel to Nashville on a full scholarship in June for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Summer Songwriting Camp, which hosts more than 10,000 aspiring songwriters ages 11-18 annually. Schmidt will be mentored by songwriters, producers and music industry professionals. The week will culminate with campers performing their songs at the Ford Theater in Nashville.

Schmidt, a senior at Carlton High School, was encouraged to apply for the competition by her father, who found an advertisement for the contest on Facebook while they were on a trip to Nashville. Schmidt had shared some of her music locally, but never on anything of this scale. She didn’t think she stood much of a chance but decided to try anyway.

“I figured I’d give it a shot and put myself out there. I’m trying to always push myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to sharing art,” she said. “It’s a very vulnerable experience.”

When she returned home from Nashville, she recorded the song on her phone and submitted it to the contest. After a month of silence, she assumed nothing would come of it. Then one day while Schmidt was doing her homework, she received an email informing her that she won the contest.

“I was ecstatic,” she said. “I think that I was really honored and surprised and I texted my parents and I called my mom and I was crying tears of joy.”

Her winning song is an homage to her life growing up in Carlton. It’s about returning to your roots and appreciating the town that made you, Schmidt said.

“It’s sure been fun to travel this whole world, but deep down I’m still a small-town girl,” she sings.

She wrote the song in January after traveling to cities such as Los Angeles, Nashville, Dallas and Oklahoma City. Though she enjoyed being able to see more of the world, the experiences left her appreciating the little things about her childhood and life in northern Minnesota.

Schmidt considers herself a country and folk singer and draws influence from artists like Judy Garland, Fleetwood Mac, Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves.

As a songwriter, inspiration strikes Schmidt at unexpected times. Sometimes it is a word that someone says in a conversation or an unnamed melody that starts humming in her head.

“Something that pops into my head so often, whether it’s lyrics or a melody, and I just kind of have to get it down on paper or record it,” she said.

Schmidt grew up dancing, singing and performing in musical theater. She started playing guitar when she was 9 years old and began writing songs when she was 13 as a way to offload her thoughts.

For Schmidt, writing music allows her to examine emotions that can’t readily be summarized by a single word. By exploring the workings of her mind through music, she feels she connects with others in a way she otherwise wouldn’t be able to. This is what inspires her to continue to write music.

“I think it’s such a unique way to connect with others,” she said. “And I think that’s what prompted me to song-write in the first place and what makes me continue to song-write.”

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