Country’s hottest rising star Tucker Wetmore experienced a career-defining moment tonight in London, England, winning ACM New Male Artist of the Year – his first-ever ACM award. Underscoring the significance of the honor, the Academy of Country Music sent the trophy internationally – a first in recent history – during the final night of his three-show, sold-out run at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. The surprise unfolded when a video message from Thomas Rhett interrupted the show before Wetmore’s mother, Sia, walked on stage to present him with the award.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Wetmore shared from the stage,”I’m at a loss for words right now for the first time in a long time. I can’t do any of this without you guys. I can’t do any of this without that woman [mom] right there… Y’all made this possible. Every single person in this venue. And there’s countless more outside of this venue that I can’t sit here and name because I’d be here all night. Thank y’all so much and thank you ACMs for this amazing honor.”
The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite country stars.
The milestone caps a meteoric rise for the Back Blocks Music/MCA/Mercury Records artist, who has quickly established himself as one of country music’s most impactful new voices. Wetmore has already notched back-to-back No. 1 singles – with the rip-roaring “Brunette” pacing for another No. 1 in the coming weeks – and recently spent three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. Radio Country Airplay chart.
Building on a breakout 2025, Wetmore’s debut album What Not To became the biggest country album from a new artist last year. The album debuted at the No. 15 spot on Billboard’s all-genre 200 Albums chart and helped propel Wetmore to over 2 BILLION global career streams.
That momentum has translated to the live stage, where Wetmore launched The Brunette World Tour presented by NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer earlier this year to overwhelming demand, selling out major markets in New York, Boston and consecutive nights in London. The tour has since expanded with additional dates across the U.S., including a debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This summer, Wetmore will take the stage at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026 and join Jordan Davis, HARDY and Brooks & Dunn on tour for select dates.
With multiple major award nominations, chart-topping hits and a growing international fanbase, Wetmore’s ACM win marks a pivotal moment in a career that continues to accelerate. As new music rolls out throughout the year, he remains one of the genre’s most compelling new artists.
