Source: Chris Stapleton at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards from Ford Center at The Star on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas. (Sebron Snyder/Penske Media via Getty Images)
The ACM Awards‘ “Album of the Year” award has been given out every year since 1968, recognizing the attributed artist for their record.
The 21st Century has seen Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton dominate the category, with a combined eight wins. Lambert leads all artists with five wins, and all female artists with seven nominations. Stapleton tied George Strait at last year’s ceremony for the most wins by a male artist, with three. Strait leads all artists with 12 nominations.
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As we’ve reached the quarter mark of the 21st Century, it’s worth taking a look back at the first 25 years of the award category, from 2000 to 2024, highlighting the artists and songs that took home some ACM Awards hardware.
The 60th ACM Awards takes place May 8, streaming on Amazon Prime.
Every ACM ‘Single of the Year’ from the 21st Century
Every ACM Awards ‘Album of the Year’ of the 21st Century was originally published on 93qcountry.com
1. Fly (2000) – The Chicks
- A Place In The Sun – Tim McGraw
- Breathe – Faith Hill
- Cold Hard Truth – George Jones
- Ride With Bob – Asleep At the Wheel
2. How Do You Like Me Now?! (2001) – Toby Keith
- American III: Solitary Man – Johnny Cash
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
- One Voice – Billy Gilman
- Who Needs Pictures – Brad Paisley
3. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2002) – Various Artists
- Down the Road I Go – Travis Tritt
- Pull My Chain – Toby Keith
- Set This Circus Down – Tim McGraw
- Steers & Stripes – Brooks & Dunn
4. Drive (2003) – Alan Jackson
- Home – The Chicks
- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems – Kenny Chesney
- On a Mission – Trick Pony
- Unleashed – Toby Keith
5. Shock ‘N Y’All (2004) – Toby Keith
- Honkytonkville – George Strait
- Martina – Martina McBride
- Mud On the Tires – Brad Paisley
- Red Dirt Road – Brooks & Dunn
6. Be Here (2005) – Keith Urban
- Here For The Party – Gretchen Wilson
- Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw
- Restless – Sara Evans
- When The Sun Goes Down – Kenny Chesney
7. Time Well Wasted (2006) – Brad Paisley
- Feels Like Today – Rascal Flatts
- There’s More Where That Came From – Lee Ann Womack
- Tough All Over – Gary Allan
- Twice the Speed of Life – Sugarland
8. Some Hearts (2007) – Carrie Underwood
- Hillbilly Deluxe – Brooks & Dunn
- It Just Comes Natural – George Strait
- Me and My Gang – Rascal Flatts
- These Days – Vince Gill
9. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2008) – Mirand Lambert
- 5th Gear – Brad Paisley
- Just Who Am I: Poets & Pirates – Kenny Chesney
- If You’re Going Through Hell – Rodney Atkins
- Taylor Swift – Taylor Swift
10. Fearless (2009) – Taylor Swift
- That Lonesome Song – Jamey Johnson
- Back When I Knew It All – Montgomery Gentry
- Troubadour – George Strait
- Carnival Ride – Carrie Underwood
11. Revolution (2010) – Miranda Lambert
- American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley
- Lady Antebellum – Lady A
- Play On – Carrie Underwood
- The Foundation – Zac Brown Band
12. Need You Now (2011) – Lady A
- Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney
- The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson
- Speak Now – Taylor Swift
- Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley
- You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band
13. Four the Record (2012) – Miranda Lambert
- Chief – Eric Church
- Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney
- My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
- Red – Taylor Swift
14. Chief (2013) – Eric Church
- Blown Away – Carrie Underwood
- Red – Taylor Swift
- Tailgates & Tanlines – Luke Bryan
- Tornado – Little Big town
15. Same Trailer Different Park (2014) – Kacey Musgraves
- Based on a True Story… – Blake Shelton
- Crash My Party – Luke Bryan
- Here’s to the Good Times – Florida Georgia Line
- Two Lanes of Freedom – Tim McGraw
16. Platinum (2015) – Miranda Lambert
- Old Boots, New Dirt – Jason Aldean
- Pain Killer – Little Big Town
- Riser – Dierks Bentley
- The Outsiders – Eric Church
17. Traveller (2016) – Chris Stapleton
- I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young
- Montevallo – Sam Hunt
- Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
- Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett
18. The Weight of These Wings (2017) – Miranda Lambert
- Black – Dierks Bentley
- Dig Your Roots – Florida Georgia Line
- Hero – Maren Morris
- Ripcord – Keith Urban
19. From A Room: Volume 1 (2018) – Chris Stapleton
- The Breaker – Little Big Town
- California Sunrise – Jon Pardi
- Happy Endings – Old Dominion
- Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
20. Golden Hour (2019) – Kacey Musgraves
- Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
- Desperate Man – Eric Church
- From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
- The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
21. What You See Is What You Get (2020) – Luke Combs
- Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett
- Girl – Maren Morris
- Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
- Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
22. Starting Over (2021) – Chris Stapleton
- Born Here Live Here Die Here – Luke Bryan
- Mixtape Vol. 1 – Kane Brown
- Never Will – Ashley McBryde
- Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
23. Dangerous: The Double Album (2022) – Morgan Wallen
- 29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce
- Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett
- Famous Friends – Chris Young
- The Marfa Tapes – Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall
24. Bell Bottom Country (2023) – Lainey Wilson
- Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde
- Growin’ Up – Luke Combs
- Mr. Saturday Night – Jon Pardi
- Palomino – Miranda Lambert
25. Higher (2024) – Chris Stapleton
- Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs
- Leather – Cody Johnson
- One Thing at a Time – Morgan Wallen
- Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good) – Kelsea Ballerini