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The Academy of Country Music Awards were originally held in various locations in Greater Los Angeles until 2002. In 2003, the ceremony moved to Las Vegas, with venues like the MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena being utilized until 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremonies were held in Nashville during 2020 and 2021, returning to Las Vegas in 2022, and moving to Texas at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco for the 2023 awards. The event is known for its significant attendance, breaking records during landmark celebrations.

The Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as the ACM Awards, are annual honors that recognize achievements in country music. They were first held in April 1966 and are presented by the Academy of Country Music. The awards focus on recognizing the achievements of country music artists from the previous year, marking it as one of the first major awards programs in the country music industry.

Voting members of the Academy of Country Music elect the nominees for each category. Initially, from 2008 to 2016, fan voting included the Entertainer of the Year award. However, due to concerns over ballot stuffing and an evolving understanding of genuine recognition, fan voting was abandoned for several critical categories. In 2016, ACM decided to revert to a more traditional voting structure, emphasizing a select group of industry professionals to determine award winners, which is aimed at acknowledging real talent and hard work rather than marketing prowess.

The ACM Awards have had various broadcasting partners since their inception. Initially aired on ABC from 1972 to 1978, then NBC from 1979 to 1997, CBS took over from 1998 until 2021. In a significant shift, the awards moved exclusively to streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting in 2022, marking it one of the first major awards ceremonies to move to a streaming platform. This transition reflects changing viewer habits and technological advancements in media consumption.

The most prestigious awards at the ACM include 'Entertainer of the Year' and 'Artist of the Decade.' In addition to these, awards are presented for various categories including Male and Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and New Artist categories. Typically, these awards celebrate the artists' accomplishments from the previous year, with the presentation usually taking place in April or May each year.

During the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards held in 2015 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the ceremony set a Guinness World Record for the Most Attended Awards Show. The event attracted an impressive audience of 70,252 attendees, emphasizing the immense popularity and cultural significance of country music. This landmark achievement highlighted the enthusiastic support of fans and the industry, as well as the capacity of the venue for such a massive attendance, reflecting both the celebratory nature and the communal aspect of the ACM Awards.

The voting process for the Entertainer of the Year award at the ACM Awards has evolved significantly, particularly regarding fan participation. Initially, the award relied on fan voting from 2008 until 2016, which drew criticism from artists who felt it prioritized marketing tactics over artistic merit. Following numerous controversies, including allegations of ballot stuffing, the Academy decided to revert to a professional voting system where nominations and winners are determined by industry professionals. This shift aims to restore the integrity of the voting process while qualifying the award recipients based on artistic accomplishment rather than social media prowess.

The Triple-Crown Award is a prestigious honor conferred by the Academy of Country Music, demonstrating an artist's versatility and excellence across multiple categories. To win this award, an artist must achieve victories in three specific award categories: New Artist, Male/Female Vocalist, and Entertainer of the Year. Only a select group of nine artists, including notable names like Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney, have received this accolade, marking them as elite figures within the country music genre. The award highlights not just popularity, but also an artist's sustained artistic impact and broad recognition within the country music community.

The Artist of the Decade award is a distinctive recognition presented by the Academy of Country Music to honor artists who have significantly shaped the country music landscape over a decade period. Notably, Garth Brooks was the first recipient for the 1990s, followed by George Strait for the 2000s, and Jason Aldean for the 2010s. Each winner exemplifies outstanding musical success in terms of chart performance, cultural influence, and contribution to the genre's evolution during their respective decades. This award sheds light on the long-lasting impact these artists have on the industry as a whole, celebrating their artistic contributions and legacy in country music.

The trophy awarded at the Academy of Country Music Awards is distinctive for its design, which includes a stylized representation of a cowboy hat. Initially introduced in 1968, the trophy has undergone transformations over the years; for instance, a modern version was unveiled in 2003, crafted by the New York firm Society Awards. This signature trophy not only symbolizes the importance of country music in American culture but is also a detailed piece, reflecting craftsmanship and artistic design that resonates deeply with the heritage of the genre.