Cody Johnson took home the first award of the night at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday in Texas.
Old Dominion won Group of the Year for the eighth year in a row on its 10th consecutive nomination. Lead vocalist Matthew Ramsey thanked the fans.
"Thanks for letting us goof off and explore," he said. "We cant wait to see you out on the road."
The presentation of the Song of the Year award was followed by performances of "Hands of Time" by Eric Church "Run" by Miranda Lambert. The latter was joined on stage by eight-time nominee Ella Langley to perform the 2005 hit "Kerosene."
Blake Shelton sang his new hit "Texas" before introducing Lainey Wilson, who performed her own song with a Texas nod, "Whirlwind."It was the third consecutive year the ACMs were held at the Star in Frisco, Texas, the practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys. It was also country legend Reba McEntire's 18th turn hosting the show.
The Oklahoma native opened the night's performances with a rendition of Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee" followed by Clint Black singing "Rhinestone Cowboy" and Wynonna Judd with "Why Not Me," a hit she initially released with her late mother, Naomi Judd.
The ACM announced a handful of awards before the streaming of the main show, including Zach Top as New Male Artist of the Year, Langley as New Female Artist of the Year, the Red Clay Strays as New Duo or Group of the Year, and Langley and Riley Green for Visual Media of the Year for "you look like you love me."
Top, who also received a nomination for Album of the Year for Cold Beer & Country Music, performed his hit "Use Me" at the ceremony.
