The seventh annual Arkansas Country Music Awards recently took place for the fourth year in a row at the Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas Campus in Conway, Arkansas on June 3rd. 

This award show is a great event as it focuses a spotlight on all those from Arkansas including upcoming country music artists, musicians and individuals in the country music industry. It was hosted once again by country music historian, Charles Haymes and Miss Arkansas 2014, Ashton Gill.

The 2024 Arkansas Country Music Awards gave out a variety of awards in twenty-seven different categories. Some winners include Entertainer of the Year, Tyler Kinch, Male Vocalist of the Year, Cory Jackson, Female Vocalist of the Year, Marybeth Byrd, Bluegrass and Inspirational Artist of the Year, Sylamore Special, Vocal Duo/Group of the Year, Midnight South, followed by Jon Conley for Guitar Player of the Year, Jenee Fleenor for Fiddle Player of the Year, Josh Matheny for Specialty/Utility Musician of the Year and Erin Enderlin for Songwriter of the Year. 

One of the most memorable moments of the night was when country music artists, Big Shane Thornton, Justin Keith and Andy Wallis won the award in the new Music Collaboration of the Year category with their collaboration entitled, Just The Same. The song was co-written by Thornton, along with Luke Williams. 

Along with that, it was a very special night for country music singer songwriter, Erin Enderlin. The Conway, Arkansas native, Erin Enderlin won the prestigious Songwriter of the Year award for the seventh consecutive year in a row. “Lucky number 7,” shared Enderlin, “Thank y’all so much and I got some real exciting things that I can’t wait to share with you soon!” You can read more about Erin Enderlin winning Songwriter of the Year and read her full acceptance speech on The CMBeat by clicking HERE! 

While waiting for the award show to begin during the VIP hour, the 2024 Arkansas Country Music Awards showcased some amazing country music artists featuring, Anna Brinker and Lance Carpenter in the auditorium! It was hosted by KSSN Homegrown Show host, D.J. Taylor. Along with them, the VIP hour featured Aaron Headley, Ashtyn Barbaree and Garrett Jones, Markus Pearson and Jake Stodgill as well! 

The 2024 Arkansas Country Music Awards featured several wonderful performances including from Mae Estes, Cory Jackson, Erin Enderlin, Linda Davis, Midnight South, 4Runner, Big Shane Thornton, Andy Wallis, Justin Keith, Luke Williams, Josh Matheny, Mandy Barnett, Dave Gibson, David Adam Byrnes, Cliff & Susan, Tom Yankton, Tyler Kinch, Sofie and the New Relics, Marybeth Byrd and Sylamore Special. 

Along with that, the 2024 Arkansas Country Music Awards honored three recipients with the Lifetime Achievement award including country singer/songwriter, K.T. Oslin, songwriter, Randy Goodrum, and songwriter, Wood Newton. All three performances in honor of the recipients were fantastic! They were performed by Dave Gibson, Linda Davis, Mae Estes and Erin Enderlin. The new Big Machine Records recording artist and Hope, Arkansas native, Mae Estes received the Momentum Award!

Congratulations to all of the 2024 Arkansas Country Music Awards Winners! Check out the full list here!

Entertainer of the Year
Tyler Kinch

Americana Artist of the Year
JD Clayton

Bluegrass Artist of the Year
Sylamore Special

Country Artist of the Year
David Adam Byrnes

Inspirational Artist of the Year
Sylamore Special

Female Vocalist of the Year
Marybeth Byrd

Male Vocalist of the Year
Cory Jackson

Acoustic Act of the Year
Common Roots

Vocal Duo/Group of the Year
Midnight South

Music Collaboration of the Year
“Just the Same” by Big Shane Thornton featuring Justin Keith and Andy Wallis. Produced by Andy Wallis.

Album of the Year
“Free Country” by Adam Hambrick. Produced by AJ Pruis.

Song of the Year
“Walk of Honor” Written by Pamela Hopkins, Anna Brinker and Lonnie Abbott. Performed by Pamela Hopkins.

Songwriter of the Year
Erin Enderlin

Music Producer of the Year
Andy Wallis

Sound Engineer of the Year
Darren Crisp

Promoter of the Year
Jon Walker

Video of the Year
“Drive” by Tom Yankton. Directed by Micah Schweinsberg.

Radio Station of the Year
KAMO, “Nash Icon 94.3,” Rogers

Radio DJ of the Year
Lainey-Beth & The Chicken Hawk, KXRD, Fayetteville

Publication/Blog/Podcast of the Year
AY Magazine

Venue of the Year
The Hall (Little Rock)

Young Artist of the Year
Sofie and the New Relics

Bass Player of the Year
Garrett Jones

Drummer of the Year
Quinn Hill

Fiddle Player of the Year
Jenee Fleenor

Guitar Player of the Year
Jon Conley

Speciality/Utility Musician of the Year
Josh Matheny

Be sure to follow the Arkansas Country Music Awards on their social media including on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can learn more about the awards by visiting their website HERE.

What do you think about this year’s winners for the 2024 Arkansas Country Music Awards? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment below or on social media!