NASHVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess) — The Academy of Country Music announced that Chris Stapleton has been named ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Decade, with the award presented at a surprise ceremony at Berry Hill Studios in Nashville TN.
Stapleton is the third of seven recipients of the newly-added ACM Decade Award categories, alongside ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award recipient Rhett Akins and ACM Song of the Decade Award recipients Miranda Lambert, and songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, for “The House That Built Me.”
The ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Decade Award is intended to honor an artist who has commercially released material, written in whole or in part by the artist. This award recognizes a songwriter whose creative works and performance have impacted country music over the decade.
Stapleton was nominated for his first ACM in 2014, and he won his first ACM the following year, one of six such a trophies he collective in 2015. In 2017, Stapleton received three ACM Awards, including Album of the Year. ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Decade Award marks a total of ten ACM Awards for Stapleton.
“Had Chris Stapleton not been an artist, his impact on country music as a songwriter would be indelible,” says Kelly Rich, ACM Special Awards Committee Co-Chair. “Had he not been a songwriter for himself and others, his influence as a recording artist, performer and vocalist would have been just as undeniable. In combination, however, Chris epitomizes the spirit and intent of this award. We are thrilled to recognize both aspects of his contribution to country music over the last decade.”
