Looking Back at Reba McEntire’s Most Epic ACM Awards Moments, from 1985 to Now

1985

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In the 1980s, McEntire dominated the Academy of Country Music Awards as top female vocalist. She was first nominated for the honor in 1983.

1986

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The singer added some extra razzle dazzle to her velvet ensemble in ’86.

1987

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At the ’87 awards, McEntire again won top female vocalist, plus country music video of the year for “Whoever’s in New England.”

1988

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Another year, another top female vocalist win.

1991

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Yet another top female vocalist win came along with nominations for top vocal duet (with Vince Gill) and entertainer of the year.

1992

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An award in each hand: video of the year for “Is There Life Out There” and yes, top female vocalist.

1995

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After eight nominations, McEntire finally scored her first entertainer of the year award, in tandem with another top female vocalist honor.

1996

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In 1996 McEntire’s date for the evening was her adorable 6-year-old son, Shelby Blackstock.

1998

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It was a bit of foreshadowing in 1998 when McEntire joined Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks on stage; 17 years later, they began a Las Vegas residency together.

1999

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The year 1999 marked the first time McEntire hosted the show solo; she previously hosted the show four times in the late ’80s and ’90s with various male country singers.

2002

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From 2001 to 2010, McEntire served as the show’s sole host, and imagined to score several awards in that time, too.

2003

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The singer sparkled while taking on hosting in 2003.

2008

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The singer again joined Brooks and Dunn onstage while handling hosting duties, too.

2009

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The hostess with the mostess presented a shocked Taylor Swift with her album of the year award at the 44th annual show.

2011

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McEntire hosted with Blake Shelton in 2011 and 2012 before handing the reins over to Shelton and Luke Bryan from 2013 to 2015 and Bryan and Dierks Bentley in 2016 and 2017.

2018

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McEntire resumed the solo hosting gig in 2018, and will be back for a 16th (!!) time in 2019. She’s also up for female vocalist of the year, marking her 47th ACM Award nomination (she has 16 wins).