Academy of Country Music Award for New Male Artist of the Year

The Academy of Country Music Award for New Male Artist of the Year is one of the new artist categories presented at the Academy of Country Music Awards. This award was first awarded in 1966 to Merle Haggard, when this award was known as the Most Promising Male Vocalist.

From 1966 to 1977, this award was known as the Most Promising Male Vocalist.

From 1978 to 2008, the award was known as the Top New Male Vocalist.

And from 2016 to now, this award is now known as the New Male Artist of the Year.

This award is given to the new male artist who has gained initial fame or significantly greater recognition during the promotion of a debut or sophomore album within the eligibility period. The artist must have released a single that reached the Top 40 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs or the Mediabase Country charts. Any albums self-released through an independent label the artist owns and operates may not be counted as a debut or sophomore album, unless it produces a Top 40 single reported by Billboard's Hot Country Songs or Mediabase Country charts.The winner of this award is eligible for the Triple Crown Award, if they win a Female Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year.

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.

There was no winner for this award in 2004, 2005, and from 2010 to 2015. For the award was changed into the Academy of Country Music Award for New Artist of the Year award. The winners in 2009 and 2013 would be finalist for the New Artist of the Year.

2020s YearWinnerNominees2026 Tucker Wetmore Gavin Adcock Vincent Mason Shaboozey Hudson Westbrook2025 Zach Top Gavin Adcock Shaboozey Tucker Wetmore Bailey Zimmerman2024 Nate Smith Ernest Kameron Marlowe Dylan Scott Conner Smith2023 Zach Bryan Jackson Dean Ernest Dylan Scott Nate Smith Bailey Zimmerman2022 Parker McCollum HARDY Walker Hayes Ryan Hurd Elvie Shane2021 Jimmie Allen HARDY Cody Johnson Parker McCollum Travis Denning2020 Riley Green Cody Johnson Jordan Davis Russell Dickerson Morgan Wallen

2010s YearWinnerNominees2019 Luke Combs Jimmie Allen Jordan Davis Michael Ray Mitchell Tenpenny2018 Brett Young Kane Brown Luke Combs Devin Dawson Russell Dickerson2017 Jon Pardi Kane Brown Chris Janson Chris Lane Brett Young2016 Chris Stapleton Brett Eldredge Chris Janson Thomas Rhett Chase Rice2013 Brantley Gilbert Hunter Hayes Lee Brice

2000s YearWinnerNominees 2009 Jake OwenJamey Johnson James Otto 2008 Jack IngramLuke Bryan Jake Owen 2007 Rodney AtkinsCraig Morgan Chris Young 2006 Jason AldeanBilly Currington Craig Morgan 2003 Joe NicholsBlake Shelton Darryl Worley 2002 Phil VassarChris Cagle Blake Shelton 2001 Keith UrbanBilly Gilman Phil Vassar 2000 Brad PaisleyGary Allan Chad Brock

1990s YearWinnerNominees 1999 Mark WillsDeryl Dodd David Kersh 1998 Kenny ChesneyRhett Akins Michael Peterson 1997 Trace AdkinsJames Bonamy Kevin Sharp 1996 Bryan WhiteWade Hayes David Lee Murphy 1995 Tim McGrawDavid Ball John Berry 1994 John Michael MontgomeryDoug Supernaw Clay Walker 1993 Tracy LawrenceBilly Ray Cyrus Collin Raye 1992 Billy DeanMark Chesnutt Joe Diffie 1991 Alan JacksonDoug Stone Travis Tritt 1990 Clint BlackGarth Brooks Lionel Cartwright

1980s YearWinnerNominees 1989 Rodney CrowellJ.C. Crowley Skip Ewing David Lynn Jones Paul Overstreet 1988 Ricky Van SheltonLarry Boone Marty Haggard Lyle Lovett Jo-El Sonnier 1987 Dwight YoakamSteve Earle Michael Johnson Lewis Storey Tom Wopat 1986 Randy TravisT. Graham Brown Billy Burnette Marty Stuart Keith Whitley 1985 Vince GillLloyd David Foster Bill Medley Dan Seals Keith Stegall 1984 Jim GlaserDarrell Clanton Craig Dillingham Mark Gray Wayne Massey 1983 Michael Martin MurphyKieran Kane Gary Morris George Strait Gary Wolf 1982 Ricky SkaggsEarl Thomas Conley Lee Greenwood Eddy Raven John Schneider 1981 Johnny LeeEd Bruce Leon Everette Don King Steve Wariner 1980 R.C. BannonJohn Anderson Razzy Bailey Randy Barlow Big Al Downing

1970s YearWinnerNominees 1979 John ConleeLee Dresser Con Hunley Ronnie McDowell Kenny O'Dell 1978 Eddie RabbittBobby Borchers Howdy Glenn Vern Gosdin Mel McDaniel 1977 Moe BandyRex Allen Jr. Billy "Crash" Craddock Larry Gatlin Johnny Lee 1976 Freddy FenderTom Bresh T.G. Sheppard Kenny Starr Gene Watson 1975 Mickey Gilley Brian Collins Danny Michaels Red Stegall Billy Swan 1974 Dorsey BurnetteLarry Booth Danny Michaels Ronnie Milsap Little Joe Shaver Red Stegall 1973 Johnny RodriguezLarry Booth Little Joe Shaver Red Simpson Red Stegall 1972 Tony BoothGene Davis Mayf Nutter Red Stegall Bobby Wright 1971 Buddy AlanTony Booth Mayf Nutter Red Stegall Bobby Wayne 1970 Freddy WellerBuddy Alan Cliff Crofford Norm Forrest Eddie Fukano Mayf Nutter Ronnie Sessions

1960s YearWinnerNominees 1969 Ray Sanders Cliff Crofford Glen Garrison Norm Forrest Eddie Fukano 1968 Jerry InmanCliff Crofford Glen Garrison Robert Mitchum Tom Tall 1967 Billy MizeBobby Austin Dick Curless Eddy Downs Glen Garrison Jerry Inman Red Simpson 1966 Merle HaggardBuddy Cagle Bobby Durham Jerry Inman Billy Mize

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