Country music superstar LUKE BRYAN claimed the top award at the “56th Academy of Country Music Awards™” last night winning Entertainer of the Year. Luke was in Los Angeles for a live broadcast of American Idol, his first show back after a COVID diagnosis sidelined him from last week’s episode. That illness also forced him to cancel a planned pre-taped performance for the ACMs. This ACM Entertainer of the Year honor is Luke’s third win in the category having won in 2013 and 2015. The win is Luke’s tenth ACM award overall, his most recent honor came in 2019 with the Album of the Decade award for CRASH MY PARTY.

As the ACM Entertainer category was being announced, Luke was participating in an American Idolvirtual press junket with fellow judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. He was able to step out in time to watch and then virtually accept the ACM award live on air.

“Oh my God! Y’all got me. What an honor,” exclaimed Luke during a live acceptance speech from his dressing room backstage at American Idol. He went on to thank members of his team, including his band and crew. “I miss being on the road. It’s what makes me an entertainer. We’ll be back out there doing what we love soon.”

In the last year Luke— released his seventh studio album (BORN HERE LIVE HERE DIE HERE) and a Deluxe edition with six additional songs; landed his 26th career #1 single when the album’s fourth consecutive #1 single hit the top of the charts; debuted new single “Waves” as most-added at country radio last week; returned as a celebrity judge for the fourth year of American Idol on ABC; performed on the Grand Ole Opry during their paused shows with no live audience; played a sold-out Crash My Playa concert event in January 2020; was named as Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 2010s by reigning on their charts with 11 #1s on the Hot Country Songs chart and nine #1s on the Top Country Albums chart during the last decade; launched his own brand of beer and seltzers called Two Lane; was honored by the CRB with the Artist Humanitarian award; partnered with Verizon for their Pay It Forward Live! and The Big Concert for Small Business; became a Jockey Brand ambassador with his wife Caroline; participated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and much, much more.