ACM LIFTING LIVES RAISES OVER $65K AT 19TH ACM HONORS
ACM LIFTING LIVES RAISES OVER $65K AT 19TH ACM HONORS
ERIC CHURCH HONORED WITH ACM LIFTING LIVES AWARD
SHERYL CROW DELIVERS SPECIAL MUSIC TRIBUTE TO CHURCH
Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE
Video Credit: Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Photo Credit: Getty Images Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
NASHVILLE, TN — August 20, 2026 — Last night, ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music®, raised over $65,000 at the 19th ACM® Honors™ presented by TennPop, Seltzer of the South. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, August 19, at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce returned for the sixth consecutive year as the evening’s host, joined by three-time ACM Award winner Parker McCollum, who co-hosted the event for the first time.
Television and radio broadcaster, Storme Warren took the stage to auction off two guitars generously donated by Gibson Gives. One being a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop signed by honorees and performing artists. The second being a limited edition Epiphone Eric Church Hummingbird signed by Eric Church. Additional funds were raised for ACM Lifting Lives through an exclusive VIP ticket package for the evening featuring premium experiences, elevated viewing opportunities for the show and more.
Following the auction, Eric Church was honored with the ACM Lifting Lives Award. Singer-songwriter, Sheryl Crow celebrated Church's honor by performing his multi-platinum number one hit, “Drink in My Hand” then sharing, “I’ve known Eric for years, and one of the things I’ve always admired about him is the way he goes about life. He’s incredibly humble, he lets his music speak for itself, and he’s always been someone who gives back without looking for recognition in return. He’s a truly remarkable human being, and I’m so proud to call him a friend.”
To accept his award, Church took to the stage and shared his gratitude and highlighted the continued work of Chief Cares, “I believe that God made music the universal language…It is because of music that this [the work of Chief Cares] happened, it’s changing people’s lives, it’s changing their kid’s lives.”
The ACM Lifting Lives Award honors the contributions of Gary Haber, known as a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Eric Church received the ACM Lifting Lives Award for his immense support of others throughout his career and his notable contributions to large-scale disaster relief fundraising and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene.
Church’s Helene efforts started with the Concert for Carolina that he co-organized with Luke Combs, then donating all royalties from “Darkest Hour,” and he remains active in helping NC rebuild after identifying there was a gap of support in the community following the devastation. His charitable fund – Chief Cares – was created in 2013 to serve those in need and strengthen communities through compassion, action, and long-term investment. Through Chief Cares, Eric is currently helping North Carolina rebuild with a housing initiative, Blue Haven, to build rent-free, mortgage-free homes to restore the community. Additionally, he has given millions in support, including helping orphanages in Nepal, relief efforts in Haiti, and humane society no-kill shelters.He has supported ACM Lifting Lives directly, participating in the 2021 Ad Council and COVID Collaborative public service advertisement (PSA) during the 56th ACM Awards.
Past recipients of this award are: Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Troy Vollhoffer, Dwight Wiles, Paul Barnabee, Ross Copperman, Lady A, Gayle Holcomb, Darius Rucker, Dolly Parton, and Carrie Underwood.
Honorees for “Country Music Industry’s Favorite Night” included Bill Anderson, Brett James, C2C: Country to Country, The Carter Family, Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Paramount+ hit television series “Landman,” Leslie Fram, Mike Curb and Scott Zolke. Performers who took the stage to honor this year’s honorees included Avery Anna, Big Kenny, Carly Pearce, Carter Faith, Dierks Bentley, Dylan Scott, Gabriella Rose, Gavin Adcock, Kaitlin Butts, Mark Collie, Margo Price, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum and Trisha Yearwood. Brenda Lee appeared as a special guest, while Zach John King presented the ACM Studio Recording and Industry Awards portion of ACM Honors.
The presenting partner of the 19th ACM Honors was TennPop, Seltzer of the South, a Tennessee-born, ready to drink, spirit-based seltzer. Crafted with Tennessee vodka, local honey, and sparkling water, TennPop celebrates the people, places, and culture that define the South.
For more information on ACM Lifting Lives, ACM Awards and all ACM events, visit www.ACMcountry.com. You can like the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives on Facebook or follow on X at @ACMawards and Instagram @ACMLiftingLives & @ACMawards for more immediate updates.
About ACM Lifting Lives®
ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music, harnessing the strength of the Country Music industry to provide aid to those in need. The nonprofit supports the overall well-being of individuals working in the Country Music industry by rising to meet the needs of the community and by serving those who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. ACM Lifting Lives® is also proud to support other nonprofit organizations that leverage music as a therapeutic means of healing and to advance stories that highlight and amplify the goodwill generated by Country Music.
Through generous donations and the support of the industry, artists, outside organizations, and fans, ACM Lifting Lives® has given more than $12 million dollars to more than 150 worthy causes and thousands of individuals over the past 20 years. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.