Tenille Townes, Riley Green Get ACM New Artists Honors

The Academy of Country Music revealed Riley Green as the New Male Artist of the Year and Tenille Townes as the New Female Artist of the Year for the 55TH Academy Of Country Music Awards to be broadcast on Wednesday, September 16 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on CBS.

Green and Townes were each surprised with the news of their wins during a video meeting crashed by 55th ACM Awards host, Keith Urban.

Riley said, “When we had to come off the road back in March, I wasn’t sure what the rest of 2020 would look like. So much has happened in the world since then and I’m really excited to have a moment to play music again. My grandfathers’ love for country music is what led me to this moment and I have to dedicate this award to them. Thank you to everyone who believes in my music enough to let this boy from Alabama get to share his songs like this.”

Tenille said, “I’ll always remember this feeling, standing here as a new artist. I feel so honored and incredibly grateful just to be a part of this country music community that inspires me. Receiving this ACM Award feels like belief from that community, and that means so much to me.”

Townes posted the video surprise with Urban to her Instagram writing, "I’m still not even believing this...."

For the first time in the show’s history, the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards will take place in Nashville, TN broadcasting from three iconic Country Music venues including the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe.