This Day in Country History: May 16

The Academy of Country Music Awards is always a treat to watch and to see who wins, and there have been some big winners throughout the years on May 16 at this prestigious event. There have also been amazing performances, recordings, and honors for country music stars on this date.

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

The Academy of Country Music Awards have dominated the country music scene on May 16:

2016: The documentary, I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song, opened in select movie theaters across the country. This documentary focused on Lee Ann Womack’s song, “I Hope You Dance,” and how it exemplified embracing the best of life, even under difficult circumstances, and influenced artists like Vince Gill and Graham Nash.
2024: Lainey Wilson won Entertainer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year, while Chris Stapleton won Male Artist of the Year. Dan + Shay won Duo of the Year, and Old Dominion won Group of the Year.
2024: New country singer Megan Moroney won New Female Artist of the Year, Nate Smith won New Male Artist of the Year, and Tigirlily Gold won New Duo/Group of the Year.
2024: Chris Stapleton won Album of the Year with Higher, Luke Combs won Single of the Year with “Fast Car,” and Jordan Davis won Song of the Year with “Next Thing You Know.”
2025: Big Loud Records released Morgan Wallen’s album I’m the Problem. Key songs from this album, which received a 3x Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), include “Eyes Are Closed,” “I’m the Problem,” and “What I Want.”

Cultural Milestones

There have been emotional tributes and museum exhibits on May 16, including:

2014: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, opened an exhibit called Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access. The exhibit featured gowns, props, and artifacts depicting Lambert’s successful country music career.
2020: During the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when students couldn’t have live graduations, Maren Morris and Kane Brown were part of a virtual event called Graduate Together: America Honors the Class of 2020. Celebrities and artists from across genres gave speeches and helped graduates celebrate.
2020: Brad Paisley received a presidential honorary degree from West Virginia University. During this event, he sang the famous John Denver song, “Take Me Home Country Roads.” Paisley is a native of West Virginia.
2021: Wynonna Judd, Billy Dean, Lindsay Lawler, and John Schneider were the highlights at the Highway to Hope benefit concert. Proceeds from the virtual-only event went to The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, helping support transportation drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Travis Tritt performed for the America Salutes You concert honoring Billy F. Gibbons from ZZ Top at the Grand Ole Opry. This concert helped support military and first responder charities and featured performers such as Brad Paisley, Lucinda Williams, Eric Church, and Ronnie Milsap.
2024: At the Academy of Country Music Awards, winner Lainey Wilson thanked Reba McEntire for her contribution to the country music industry, noting how McEntire helped pave the way for female artists in the genre. Blake Shelton also gave an emotional speech about his friend, the late Toby Keith, and Jason Aldean sang Keith’s song, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”

Notable Recordings and Performances

There have been some significant performances on May 16, including:

2009: David Nail made his Grand Ole Opry debut on May 16. Nail was the frontman for David Nail & The Well Ravens, whose hits included “Night’s On Fire” and “Kiss You Tonight.”
2018: Kenny Chesney performed to a smaller crowd in an intimate setting at the Austin360 Amphitheater in Del Valle, Texas.
2022: Country megastar Carrie Underwood performed at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of The Denim & Rhinestones Tour. Underwood is an eight-time GRAMMY Award winner and three-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year.
2025: At the Sand in My Boots music festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Post Malone, HARDY, and Treaty Oak Revival headlined. John Morgan, Ole 60, Disko Cowboy, and Hailey Whitters also took the stage at this festival.
2025: Fans traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas, to see their favorite artists at the FreshGrass Bentonville music festival. On day one of this show, Shakey Graves, Bela Fleck, and Edmar Castaneda headlined. Additional artists included Alison Brown, Lost Bayou Ramblers, and Jamie Wyatt.
2025: The Tico Time Bluegrass Festival, held in Aztec, New Mexico, featured artists such as Alex Graf, Leftover Salmon, Foggy Memory Boys, and Slay & Stinson.

Industry Changes and Challenges

The country music industry has seen a couple of notable changes on May 16, including:

2001: Rocker-turned-country-star Darius Rucker and his wife welcomed a baby girl on May 16. They named her Daniella.
2021: The legendary country songwriter, Patsy Bruce, died on May 16 at the age of 81. Bruce co-wrote “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” made famous by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Patsy Bruce was also the president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
2023: Nashville music executive Richard Landis died at the age of 77. Landis worked at Capitol Records, Giant Records, and BNA and worked with artists such as The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, Lorrie Morgan, and Poco with Vince Gill.

Country music artists bring feel-good energy with songs played on the radio and at live performances. Many of these stars have a major influence on our society and on up-and-coming new artists.

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