The Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year is the biggest competitive category presented at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The award has been given annually since 1970, and is the final award presented at the ceremony.
During the 52 nomination years, 60 artists have been nominated for the Entertainer of the Year; 27 of these have won, including co-winners and ties. Of these, Garth Brooks has received the most awards, with six awards out of 13 nominations. The two artists who have won more than three times are Alabama with 5 out of 10 nominations and Kenny Chesney with 5 out of 11. The two artists who have won three times are Carrie Underwood with 3 out of 6 nominations, and Brooks & Dunn with 3 out of 12 nominations. George Strait and Reba McEntire have received the most nominations; Strait won 2 out of 14 nominations and McEntire won 1 out of 9 nominations.
Winners and nominees In the following tables, the years correspond to the date of the ceremony. Artists are eligible based on their work of the previous calendar year. Entries with a blue ribbon next to the artist's name have won the award; those with a white background are the nominees on the short-list.
YearWinnerNominees2026 Cody Johnson Luke Combs Jelly Roll Megan Moroney Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen Lainey Wilson2025 Lainey Wilson Kelsea Ballerini Luke Combs Cody Johnson Jelly Roll Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen2024 Lainey Wilson Kane Brown Luke Combs Jelly Roll Cody Johnson Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen2023 Chris Stapleton Jason Aldean Kane Brown Luke Combs Miranda Lambert Carrie Underwood Morgan Wallen2022 Miranda Lambert Eric Church Luke Combs Chris Stapleton Carrie Underwood2021 Luke Bryan Eric Church Luke Combs Thomas Rhett Chris Stapleton2020 Carrie Underwood Thomas Rhett Luke Bryan Eric Church Luke Combs2019 Keith Urban Jason Aldean Luke Bryan Kenny Chesney Chris Stapleton2018 Jason Aldean Garth Brooks Luke Bryan Chris Stapleton Keith Urban2017 Jason Aldean Luke Bryan Florida Georgia Line Carrie Underwood Keith Urban2016 Jason Aldean Garth Brooks Luke Bryan Eric Church Miranda Lambert2015 Luke Bryan Jason Aldean Luke Bryan Miranda Lambert Florida Georgia Line2014 George Strait Luke Bryan Miranda Lambert Blake Shelton Taylor Swift2013 Luke BryanJason Aldean Miranda Lambert Blake Shelton Taylor Swift 2012 Taylor Swift Jason Aldean Kenny Chesney Brad Paisley Blake Shelton 2011 Taylor Swift Jason Aldean Toby Keith Brad Paisley Keith Urban Miranda Lambert 2010 Carrie Underwood Kenny Chesney Toby Keith Brad Paisley George Strait Taylor Swift Keith Urban Zac Brown Band 2009 Carrie UnderwoodKenny Chesney Brad Paisley George Strait Keith Urban 2008 Kenny ChesneyBrad Paisley Rascal Flatts George Strait Keith Urban 2007 Kenny ChesneyBrooks & Dunn George Strait Tim McGraw Rascal Flatts 2006 Kenny ChesneyBrooks & Dunn Toby Keith Tim McGraw Rascal Flatts 2005 Kenny ChesneyBrooks & Dunn Toby Keith Tim McGraw Keith Urban 2004 Toby KeithBrooks & Dunn Kenny Chesney Alan Jackson Tim McGraw 2003 Toby KeithBrooks & Dunn Kenny Chesney Dixie Chicks Alan Jackson 2002 Brooks & DunnGarth Brooks Alan Jackson Toby Keith Tim McGraw 2001 Dixie ChicksBrooks & Dunn Faith Hill George Strait Toby Keith 2000 Shania TwainDixie Chicks Faith Hill Sawyer Brown Tim McGraw 1999 Garth BrooksBrooks & Dunn George Strait Shania Twain Tim McGraw 1998 Garth BrooksBrooks & Dunn George Strait Reba McEntire Tim McGraw 1997 Brooks & DunnAlan Jackson Garth Brooks George Strait Tim McGraw 1996 Brooks & DunnAlan Jackson Garth Brooks Reba McEntire Tim McGraw 1995 Reba McEntireAlabama Alan Jackson Brooks & Dunn Garth Brooks 1994 Garth BrooksAlan Jackson Clint Black Reba McEntire Travis Tritt 1993 Garth BrooksAlan Jackson Billy Ray Cyrus Reba McEntire Travis Tritt 1992 Garth BrooksAlan Jackson Clint Black Randy Travis Reba McEntire 1991 Garth BrooksClint Black Dolly Parton George Strait Reba McEntire 1990 George StraitAlabama Dolly Parton Hank Williams Jr. Randy Travis 1989 Hank Williams Jr.Alabama George Strait Randy Travis The Judds 1988 Hank Williams Jr.Alabama Randy Travis Reba McEntire Willie Nelson 1987 Hank Williams Jr.Alabama George Strait Reba McEntire Ricky Skaggs 1986 AlabamaGeorge Strait Hank Williams Jr. Lee Greenwood Ricky Skaggs 1985 AlabamaHank Williams Jr. Oak Ridge Boys Ricky Skaggs Willie Nelson 1984 AlabamaBarbara Mandrell Hank Williams Jr. Oak Ridge Boys Willie Nelson 1983 AlabamaBarbara Mandrell Kenny Rogers Ricky Skaggs Willie Nelson 1982 AlabamaBarbara Mandrell Dolly Parton Kenny Rogers Oak Ridge Boys 1981 Barbara MandrellDolly Parton Eddie Rabbitt Kenny Rogers Willie Nelson 1980 Willie NelsonCrystal Gayle Kenny Rogers Loretta Lynn Waylon Jennings 1979 Kenny RogersDolly Parton Loretta Lynn Roy Clark Willie Nelson 1978 Dolly PartonKenny Rogers Loretta Lynn Mel Tillis Roy Clark 1977 Mickey GilleyConway Twitty Loretta Lynn Marty Robbins Mel Tillis 1976 Loretta LynnGlen Campbell John Denver Mickey Gilley Roy Clark 1975 Mac DavisLoretta Lynn Merle Haggard Ronnie Milsap Roy Clark 1974 Roy ClarkMerle Haggard Charlie Rich Johnny Rodriguez Mel Tillis 1973 Roy ClarkMerle Haggard Freddie Hart Loretta Lynn Charley Pride 1972 Freddie HartGlen Campbell Merle Haggard Loretta Lynn Charley Pride 1971 Merle HaggardJohnny Cash Glen Campbell Elvis Presley Charley Pride Notes
Category Records
Wins Artist with the most wins — Garth Brooks (6). Male artist with most wins — Garth Brooks (6). Female artist with most wins — Carrie Underwood (3). Group with most wins — Alabama (5). Duo with the most wins — Brooks & Dunn (3).
Nominations Artist with the most nominations — George Strait (14). Male artist with most nominations — George Strait (14). Female artist with most nominations — Reba McEntire (9). Group with most nominations — Alabama (10). Duo with the most nominations — Brooks & Dunn (12).
See also Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year
References