JIMMIE ALLEN AND GABBY BARRETT ANNOUNCED AS ACM(R) NEW MALE AND FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

BOTH WILL PERFORM ON THE "56TH ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS(TM)" HOSTED BY KEITH URBAN AND MICKEY GUYTON, LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, SUNDAY, APRIL 18 ON CBS

Click Here and Here to Watch ACM Awards Host Keith Urban Surprise the New Artist Winners with the News

CBS and The Academy of Country Music(R) revealed today that Jimmie Allen is the winner of the New Male Artist of the Year Award and Gabby Barrett is the winner of the New Female Artist of the Year Award. Hosted by 15-time ACM Award winner Keith Urban and ACM nominee Mickey Guyton, the 56TH ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS(TM) will broadcast live Sunday, April 18 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

ACM Awards Host Keith Urban recorded a personalized video card to surprise both Allen and Barrett with the news.

"We are thrilled to present Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett with their first ACM Award wins," said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. "Jimmie and Gabby have experienced tremendous success at both Country Radio and streaming already, and we are proud to recognize them for such an extraordinary start to their careers. A huge congratulations to each of them for this well-deserved win, and to all of our nominees for being recognized for their incredible contributions to Country Music. We look forward to welcoming Jimmie and Gabby to the ACM Awards stage on April 18."

Allen and Barrett will join more than 25 artists will perform 30+ songs from three iconic Country Music venues: the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. Previously announced performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Ryan Hurd, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, Jon Randall, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, The War and Treaty, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans and Chris Young. Additional details on the exciting performances, including unprecedented collaborations and surprising moments, will be announced in the coming days.

The health and safety of the artists, fans, industry, staff and partners involved in the ACM Awards is the number one priority. All guidelines set forth by national, state and local health officials will be closely followed and implemented during the production along with additional safety measures to be instated by dick clark productions and the Academy of Country Music.

For more information, visit ACMcountry.com. You can also like Academy of Country Music on Facebook, follow on Twitter at @ACMawards, follow on Instagram at @ACMawards and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List for more immediate updates.

About the Academy of Country Music Awards(TM)

The "56th Academy of Country Music Awards(TM)" is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the Country Music industry. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions. R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Linda Gierahn are executive producers. Damon Whiteside is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.