The musical part of the evening was moderated by two-time ACM prizewinner Carly Pearce, who opened the evening with an interpretation of her song “Dear Miss Loretta” in honor of Loretta Lynn. driving songs like “The Pill” and “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin ‘(With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” were awarded the ACM Poets Prize.
“Not only has your music made an indelible mark on my own songwriting, but I know it has made an indelible mark on all of the country music songwriters,” Pearce said of Lynn. “She showed me how to be real … and uncompromisingly direct, and she really paved the way for women like me in country music.”
Lynn was absent but sent a short video acceptance speech.
Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack also celebrated Lynn with a performance of Lynn’s 1973 hit duet with Conway Twitty, “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man.”
Other winners of the poet were Gretchen Peters (“Independence Day”, “On a Bus to St. Cloud”) and the late Curly Putman (“Green Green Grass of Home”, “DIVORCE”, “He Stoped Loving Her Today”). Janson gave a serious rendition of the George Jones classic “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in honor of Putman, while newcomer Brittney Spencer did a slowed-down, intimate version of “Independence Day” in honor of Peters.
“It’s nerve-wracking as hell,” said Janson. Then he told Putman, “His contribution to country music will live on forever. It will always be remembered and it will play out over the years. “