Bryan also won the Artist of the Year Award, the biggest prize of the awards show which was broadcast live on Sunday from The Forum in Inglewood, California.
- May 2, 2016
AceShowbiz - Luke Bryan took home the top prize of the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards. At the Sunday night, May 1 event, the singer won the coveted Artist of the Year Award over fellow nominees Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean and Sam Hunt.
"You know, everybody in my world that makes this happen - you know, my wife, my kids, my label, my management - my people that make me look kind of okay in front of you guys out there on the road, thank you so much for this night, and this will be certainly cherished," he told the crowd in his speech. During the show, the 39-year-old hunk also accepted the Male Vocalist of the Year trophy.
Sam Hunt also walked away with two awards that night. The "Break Up in a Small Town" hitmaker beat his competitors in the Breakthrough Male of the Year category. His debut studio effort "Montevallo" was additionally named Digital Album of the Year.
Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood were among stars joining Bryan and Hunt on the winner list. The bearded singer collected the Album of the Year Award for his acclaimed debut set "Traveller". The "American Idol" alum, meanwhile, was honored with the Female Vocalist of the Year title.
The 2016 American Country Countdown Awards was broadcast live from The Forum in Inglewood, California. In addition to giving away awards, the event included performances from big names like Martina McBride who kicked off the festivity with a rendition of her old hit "This One's for the Girls".
The veteran entertainer brought along Jennifer Nettles and Cam on the stage, and together they celebrated "a fantastic year for women in country." Cam also hit the stage solo for "Mayday", a track from her very own album "Untamed".
Other performances highlighting the ceremony included Bryan's "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day", Underwood's "Church Bells" and Toby Keith's tribute to Merle Haggard. The night's final act, Keith did a medley of the late singer's songs like "Mama Tried", "Today I Started Loving You Again" and more.
- Artist of the Year: Luke Bryan
- Album of the Year: Chris Stapleton, "Traveller"
- Touring Artist of the Year: Garth Brooks
- Breakthrough Group/Duo of the Year: Old Dominion
- Digital Song of the Year: Little Big Town, "Crush"
- Breakthrough Female of the Year: Kelsea Ballerini
- Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
- Song of the Year: Thomas Rhett, "Die a Happy Man"
- Digital Album of the Year: Sam Hunt, "Montevallo"
- Breakthrough Male of the Year: Sam Hunt
- Group/Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line
- Male Vocalist of the Year: Luke Bryan
