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Why This Once-Gimmicky ACM Awards Category Is Having a Moment

ACM 2024: Music Event of the Year is no longer just a bonus, it's reshaping careers and boosting nods. Why collaborations are more impactful than ever

Collaborations “used to be a lot tougher to do,” recalls Brad Paisley, who won vocal event (as it was then called) with three titles: “Whiskey Lullaby,” with Alison Krauss, in 2004; “When I Get Where I’m Going,” with Dolly Parton, in 2005; and “Start a Band,” with Keith Urban, in 2008.”We used to scream at the top of our lungs to labels, ‘Please let us do these things.’ “ Landing a music event nomination has an extra bonus for artists who produce their own work at the ACMs, since the organization gives those acts separate trophies for the performance and the production. Carly Pearce, who co–produced her Stapleton collaboration “we don’t fight anymore,” and Kelsea Ballerini, who co-produced the Noah Kahan music event “Cowboys Cry Too,” both doubled up on nominations in the category.

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