ACM Announces Studio Recording and Industry Award Winners for 59th Annual Country Music Awards

On June 30, 2026, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) released the full list of winners for its Studio Recording and Industry Awards, paving the way for the 19th ACM Honors ceremony on August 19 at The Pinnacle in Nashville.

In the Studio Recording categories, Bryan Sutton captured his first Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year title. Justin Niebank earned his tenth Audio Engineer of the Year award, extending his record as the most‑honored engineer in ACM history. Dann Huff was named Producer of the Year for the sixth time. Stuart Duncan received his second Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year honor, while Rob McNelley won Electric Guitar Player of the Year for the second time. Gordon Mote claimed his fourth Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year award. On the rhythm section, Jimmie Lee Sloas took Bass Player of the Year, and both Fred Eltringham and Jerry Roe were recognized as Drummer of the Year.

The Industry Awards highlighted venues and professionals that shape the country music landscape. The Pinnacle was named Club of the Year. Cheyenne Frontier Days earned Fair/Rodeo of the Year. Stagecoach was awarded Festival of the Year for the second time. Red Rocks Amphitheatre received Outdoor Venue of the Year for the fourth time. Bridgestone Arena was named Arena of the Year for the third time, and Mohegan Sun Arena earned Casino of the Year – Arena for the third time. Choctaw Grand Theater was honored as Casino of the Year – Theater for its second win.

Individual recognitions included Adam Weiser, who received Promoter of the Year for the second time, and Ed Warm, who was named Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year for the second time. The Ryman Auditorium was awarded Theater of the Year for the third time.

The ACM’s Studio Recording and Industry Awards focus on the technical and business contributors to country music, rather than the performers who appear on the televised 59th Academy of Country Music Awards. Winners are announced weeks before the main ceremony and are presented at the separate ACM Honors event.

Tickets for the 19th ACM Honors are available through the ACM website. The event will bring together the country music community to celebrate the behind‑the‑scenes talent that supports the genre’s continued growth.

The announcement underscores the ongoing importance of studio professionals and venue operators in sustaining Nashville’s reputation as the heart of country music. With repeat winners such as Niebank and Huff, the awards highlight the stability and expertise that define the industry’s production side.

The ACM’s recognition of venues like The Pinnacle and Red Rocks Amphitheatre also reflects the broader trend of country music expanding beyond traditional club settings into larger, multi‑use spaces that attract diverse audiences.

As the country music industry continues to evolve, the Studio Recording and Industry Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence among the technical, production, and business professionals who shape the sound and presentation of the genre.

The 19th ACM Honors will provide a platform for these professionals to receive formal recognition, reinforcing the value of their contributions to the country music ecosystem.