Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett Announced as Early ACM Awards Winners

Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett have each won an ACM Award! Allen has been named the ACM New Male Artist of the Year, while Barrett was named the ACM New Female Artist of the Year.

Allen was given the good news by ACM Awards host, Keith Urban , in a video that was shared with Allen while Allen was in the studio.

“Jimmie, it’s Keith here. I hope you’re feeling good. You’re about to feel a lot better,” Urban said. “Jimmie Allen, I wanted to let you know, you are the winner of the ACM Best New Male Artist of the Year. Now you’re playing on the show because of that, and you’re gonna have an amazing year. Congratulations to you. I will see you at the ACMs.”

Allen later reflected on the honor in a post he shared on social media.

“Wow!!! This doesn’t even seem real,” Allen wrote. “Thank you to everyone who voted for me and huge thank you to everyone that supports my music. Y’all made this happen. Love is Love.”

Barrett also received her message from Urban via a video inside a card.

“Gabby, it’s Keith Urban here, with some mighty fine news,” he said. “I’m here to let you know that, Gabby Barrett, you are the winner of the ACM Best New Female Artist of the Year. Congratulations, Gabby. Very, very happy for you. And you get to play on the ACMs as well, so I will see you there. Congrats.”

Allen was nominated in a category that also included Travis Denning, HARDY, Cody Johnson and Parker McCollum, while Barrett’s fellow nominees were Ingrid Andress, Tenille Arts, Mickey Guyton and Caylee Hammack.

Other performers for the 2021 ACM Awards include Blake SheltonKelsea BalleriniLuke BryanKenny Chesney, Eric ChurchAshley McBrydeMiranda Lambert, among others. Urban will also perform, as well as his co-host, Mickey Guyton.

The 2021 ACM Awards will air live from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe on Sunday, April 18, at 8:00 PM ET on CBS.