The eighth annual Arkansas Country Music Awards recently took place for the fifth year in a row at the Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas Campus in Conway, Arkansas on June 2nd! It was hosted once again by country music historian/journalist, Charles Haymes and Miss Arkansas 2014, Ashton Gill.
A lot of people from the country music industry attend this great event each year! The award show focuses a spotlight on all those from Arkansas including upcoming country music artists, musicians and individuals in the country music industry. In special attendance this year included previous ACMA Lifetime Achievement recipient, Barbara Fairchild, country music artist, Jeannie C. Riley and LT. Governor, Leslie Rutledge.
The 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards showed recognition to a lot of individuals, giving awards in twenty-seven different categories. Cliff and Susan took home three awards including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year and Vocal Duo/Group of the Year. Tyler Kinch received two awards including Song of the Year with his song, Frontlines and Male Vocalist of the Year. Waylon Wyatt also won two awards including Acoustic Act and Young Artist of the Year.
Blane Howard & Ashley Ewing performing at the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards
Along with those, some other winners from the night include Blane Howard for Country Artist of the Year, Hannah Blaylock for Female Vocalist of the Year, Sylamore Special for Bluegrass Artist of the Year, Ashtyn Barbaree for Americana Artist of the Year, Jon Raney for Music Producer of the Year, Jeremy Huddleston for Sound Engineer of the Year, Jenee Fleenor for Fiddle Player of the Year, Josh Matheny for Specialty/Utility Musician of the Year and Lance Carpenter for Songwriter of the Year!
The 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards featured several great performances including from Cliff & Susan, Midnight South, BIAS, Sofie and the New Relics, Shawn Camp, Blane Howard & Ashley Ewing, Marybeth Byrd, Waylon Wyatt, Tyler Kinch, Sylamore Special, The Morris Family, Hannah Blaylock and more! OMNI Audio, Video & Lighting company did an outstanding job on production on the show as well!
Collin Raye performing at the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards
Along with that, the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards presented the Momentum Award to J.D. Clayton and the Arkansas Honors Arkansas award to Tommy Henderson. The 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Recipients went to musician, John Hughey, country artist, Shawn Camp and country artist, Collin Raye.
“I think this organization is great for the state of Arkansas. It’s needed this because there’s so much great country music talent that has come from this state and is continuing to come from this state,” shared country music artist, Collin Raye. “I’m just honored to be apart of it, so thank y’all for being with us tonight!”
Lastly, The CMBeat was honored to win the award for Publication/Blog/Podcast of the Year at the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards! Thank you so much to the Arkansas Country Music Awards, Charles Haymes, Nathan Hunnicutt and everyone who helps put together this wonderful event every year!
Congratulations to all of the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards Winners! Check out the full list here!
Entertainer of the Year
Cliff & Susan
Americana Artist of the Year
Ashtyn Barbaree
Bluegrass Artist of the Year
Sylamore Special
Country Artist of the Year
Blane Howard
Inspirational Artist of the Year
Ray Hollis
Female Vocalist of the Year
Hannah Blaylock
Male Vocalist of the Year
Tyler Kinch
Acoustic Act of the Year
Waylon Wyatt
Vocal Duo/Group of the Year
Cliff & Susan
Music Collaboration of the Year
“God, Family, Country” by Michael Hosier & Tom Yankton. Produced by Jimmy Ritchey.
Album of the Year
“Fiddle & Keys” by Cliff & Susan. Produced by Cliff Prowse and Larry Beaird.
Song of the Year
“Frontlines” Written by Jason Lee Campbell and Terry Smith. Performed by Tyler Kinch.
Songwriter of the Year
Lance Carpenter
Music Producer of the Year
Jon Raney
Sound Engineer of the Year
Jeremy Huddleston
Promoter of the Year
Joanna Benson
Video of the Year
“Backroads and Bonfires” by Ryan Daniel. Directed by Tyler Gwynne.
Radio Station of the Year
KSSN, “KSSN 96,” Little Rock
Radio DJ of the Year
Sid King, KHPQ, Clinton
Publication/Blog/Podcast of the Year
The CMBeat
Venue of the Year
JJ’s Live (Fayetteville)
Young Artist of the Year
Waylon Wyatt
Bass Player of the Year
Dennis Crouch
Drummer of the Year
Quinn Hill
Fiddle Player of the Year
Jenee Fleenor
Guitar Player of the Year
Jake Stogdill
Specialty/Utility Musician of the Year
Josh Matheny
Be sure to follow the Arkansas Country Music Awards on their social media including on Facebook, X (formerly 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 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment below or on social media!
TheCMBeat 