The Academy of Country Music Awards hit a major milestone in 2025, with the 60th anniversary of the event set for early May. Several country music greats have hosted the event over the years, but the choice for this particularly significant year was obvious: Reba McEntire.
To celebrate her upcoming hosting duties, the singer took to Instagram to feature some of her most memorable moments from the ACM Awards over the years. “The first year I hosted was 1986,” McEntire notes in the Reel, which features clips of McEntire hosting the event at many different stages of life. The trip down memory lane also shows glimpses of the singer’s fashion evolution over the last few decades.
In a statement IHeart Country shared, ACM CEO David Whiteside highlighted McEntire’s extensive hosting experience and dubbed her a perfect candidate for hosting the 60th iteration of the event. “Reba McEntire has hosted more ACM Awards shows than any other artist in history, and after her triumphant return this year for the 59th show, there is clearly no one better suited to helm this milestone show!”
McEntire has Compared Awards Shows to Family Reunions
GettyMcEntire also served as the ACM Awards host in 2024, and spoke with The Hollywood Reporter the day before the event. According to the country star, these shows are more than just a chance for country music to honor some of its own; they’re also about connecting with the other artists. “The award shows are like a family reunion. There’s family members you know, and some you hadn’t met before, so that’s exactly what it’ll be for me.”
On the same day, McEntire praised the social and networking aspects of awards shows when speaking to Billboard, explaining that the events are a prime opportunity to get exposed to new artists. “Meeting new people and making new friends is what I love about the business,” McEntire said.
The Singer Also has Multiple Wins and Nominations Under her Belt
GettyOf course, McEntire isn’t just the ACM Awards hostess with the most-est; she’s also a multi-time award nominee and winner. As a video that the Academy of Country Music posted on Facebook shows, the singer has taken home 16 titles and counting, including Female Vocalist of the Year. As the video’s caption notes, McEntire has received more nominations for that coveted award than any other artist to date.
In 1995 (fittingly, the 30th anniversary of the event), McEntire took home one of the most sought-after ACM awards of all: Entertainer of the Year. In video footage of McEntire’s win, the singer is instantly overcome with emotion when she hears her name and heads to the stage to accept her award. In her simple but touching acceptance speech, she said: “I have to say thank you very much to all the fans, because I want to, I love you to pieces. [And] I want to say thank you to my starstruck family for being there for me at all times.”