2020 ACM Awards: 5 Iconic Acceptance Speeches from Past Years

Loretta Lynn was obviously at a loss for words as she made history as the first woman Entertainer of the Year. She stumbles over her first few words and the host says, “Just take your time,” making the audience erupt in laughter. The country super star now boasts 13 ACM Awards.

Brooks uses his acceptance speech to thank everyone that has played a role in his success but then goes on to honor two country music legends. “For me, there are two artists in our industry that we have very much taken for granted,” Brooks says. He mentions he wishes he could cut the award in half and award it to two other singers. Brooks explains one half would be for George Strait and then goes on to say the other artist “has given everything an artist can give to country music.” Garth Brooks then goes on to try to deliver the award to that artist: Reba McEntire.

Kenny Chesney’s 2008 ACM acceptance speech was memorable for a few reasons. It was the singer’s fourth year in a row winning Country Music’s Entertainer of The Year for the fourth year in a row. He thanked his fans for voting him to victory, saying “long before I had a hit record the fans always came to my show.” Then, he thanked his parents, though instead of taking the traditional route appreciating their support, he added a little extra. “I want to thank my parents for having sex so many years ago, and being responsible for me being up here tonight,” Chesney said.

While she’s not a singer nor was she accepting an award, Taylor Swift’s mom introducing her daughter must be noted. Taylor’s mother speaks of her daughter, “a tangled-haired little girl growing up on our farm, full of imagination and creativity,” in the highest regard. She tells the heartwarming (relatable) story of Taylor writing ‘Love Story’ after a fight with her parents. “Her dad and I strongly disapproved of a certain young man, and rightfully so. But she was mad,” her mother explains. “She was real mad, and she went to her room, and she closed the door, and she came out about an hour later with a song called ‘Love Story.’”
Swift comments on how she watched Taylor “learning to stand up for herself and the things she believes in, being brave enough to explore her musical curiosity, having a voice against those who hate and giving of herself to those in need,” as the young star grew up. Taylor’s acceptance of the ACM Milestone Award is just as heartwarming. She declares her love for the country music community for accepting her decision to explore the pop music genre.

Brad Paisley’s 2010 Top Male Vocalist acceptance speech took funny aim at that year’s host. He turns to Matthew McConaughey saying, “By the way, my wife says hi,” mentioning the pair’s appearance in We Are Marshall. Paisley adjusts his hat and quickly stops the audience’s applause saying, “But she um, she says I’m the better kisser,” leading the audience to roar in laughter. Continuing the joke, Brad Paisley says also, “But they didn’t have any kissing scenes in that movie, so I don’t know how she knows that.”