ACM Lifting Lives Takes Over Texas with Multiple Fundraising Events Leading up to 60th ACM Awards
ACM Lifting Lives Takes Over Texas with Multiple Fundraising Events Leading up to 60th ACM Awards
NASHVILLE, TN (May 14,2025) – ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music, helped celebrate the 60th ACM Awards through multiple fundraising events in and around Frisco, TX during ACM Awards Week.
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In the weekend leading up to the 60th ACM Awards, ACM Lifting Lives joined the Lone Star Smokeout in Arlington, TX, for their inaugural event, where artists including Wyatt Flores, Dylan Gossett, Cody Jinks, Midland, Jon Pardi, Randy Rogers Band, Hudson Westbrook and Tucker Wetmore hit the stage outside of AT&T Stadium in what was described as a three-day “parking lot party.” In addition to the music, 14+ award-winning BBQ joints from Texas and beyond were at the family-friendly event. A portion of each ticket sale went to the philanthropic work that ACM Lifting Lives does on a daily basis, as well as all proceeds from a custom YETI tumbler activation, where fans could get a custom-engraved YETI in exchange for donating at least $25 to ACM Lifting Lives.
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On Monday, May 5, ACM Lifting Lives unveiled a unique guitar wall for patients, families, and other hospital patrons during an exclusive event at the new Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Frisco. The custom wall spotlighting ACM Lifting Lives’ focus on improving lives through the power of music features six Gibson guitars, all donated by Gibson Gives, and are displayed alongside photos of Texas-born Country superstars performing at the ACM Awards over the year, including Ronnie Dunn, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, George Strait, and Tanya Tucker. The display also has QR codes that link directly to a curated playlist that correlates to themes including “Inspire,” “Celebrate,” “Motivate,” “Heal,” “Cope,” and “Relax,” providing unique soundtracks to listeners during their time at the hospital. The event also announced a multi-year partnership with Texas-based Baylor Scott & White Health as the official Health System of the ACM.
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The following day (May 6), ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee Jelly Roll brought the party to Fort Worth when he headlined the World’s Largest Honky Tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas, raising money for ACM Lifting Lives. Jelly Roll & Friends brought some of the top nominees from the ACM Awards to the 12-time ACM Nightclub of the Year, including Ashley Cooke, Drew Baldridge, ERNEST, Jessie Murph, Koe Wetzel, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, and Russell Dickerson.
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Wednesday, May 7, marked a big day for ACM Lifting Lives, starting with their return to the organization’s ongoing partner, Topgolf, for the industry-favorite ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off event in The Colony, which brought members of the industry together to compete in a golf tournament. This year featured performances from Drew Baldridge, ERNEST, Cody Lohden, Rhys Rutherford, and Grace Tyler alongside the tournament.
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That same evening, Lily Rose hosted Keys for a Cause at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar in The Star District, with her friends and ACM Award nominees Gavin Adcock, Ashley Cooke, and Tucker Wetmore joining the party, among others. Money was raised through attendees submitting song requests throughout the night, with proceeds from those requests going directly to ACM Lifting Lives’ philanthropic efforts.
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The evening was highlighted by one of the most memorable events of the week with the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives hosting the exclusive and intimate “Play Something Country,” a 60th Anniversary Gala Honoring Brooks & Dunn and Benefiting ACM Lifting Lives, which grossed nearly $1.4 million while honoring the achievements of 25-time ACM Award-winning duo Brooks & Dunn. Taking place at the Omni PGA in Frisco, TX, the event featured a cocktail hour presented by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, an elevated seated dinner, a curated silent auction hosted by Shawn Parr including several donated items including Polaris units from Brantley Gilbert, and highlights from historic moments from the 60-year history of the Academy. The night culminated with a presentation of a special honor to Brooks & Dunn and performances of Brooks & Dunn’s hits from Country Music’s top acts, including Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, and Lainey Wilson, all hosted by TV and Radio personality Bobby Bones.
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ACM Lifting Lives would like to thank its Gala Sponsors, including Title Sponsor Ford Motor Company, Pre-Reception Sponsor Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, Diamond Sponsors Charles Daigle, JLG Investments, Inc., and Southern Legacy Landscapes, Dallas Cowboys, Dee Lincoln, Hellas Construction, Byrd Oilfield Services and Machinery Auctioneers, Sinacola, Gold Sponsors Aligned Data Centers, Baylor Scott & White, Black Energy Technologies, Blue Star Innovation Partners, Coors, Cresa and River Ranch Educational Charities, Ellis Pumps and Tools | Midland, TX, Horizon Capital, Jani-King, Oklaunion, Professional Bull Riders, ProFrac, Topgolf, United Healthcare, Veridata Insights, Vonlane, Wrangler, and Yo Quiero, and the event’s Silver and Bronze Sponsors.
About ACM Lifting Lives®
ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music. We harness the power of our Country Music community and partners to provide aid in times of need, with a focus on health-related initiatives. With generous donations and the support of artists and fans, ACM Lifting Lives has funded national music therapy programs serving various mental and physical health organizations. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.