First look at the 61st ACM Awards blue carpet in Las Vegas
Country music’s biggest stars are set to arrive at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as the ACM Awards return to Las Vegas with host Shania Twain.
Avery Anna, the Academy of Country Music’s new female artist of the year, took the stage at the ACM Awards to deliver a thrashing, energetic blitz of country-rock.
On Sunday, May 17, the 22-year-old singer hit the stage clad in black leather with a full rock band in tow.
She opened her performance with a short snippet of Nancy Sinatra’s song “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” before launching into her song “Blood Runs Thicker,” which was propelled by fiery electric guitar and thrashing drums.
At one point, Anna even made some noise on the drums herself. Her performance highlighted the increasing genre-blending present in country music. Country stars are pulling from pop, rap, trap and rock more than ever before.
In the midst of a breakout year, Anna joined the ACM Awards’ star-stuffed lineup of performers, which includes Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, The Red Clay Strays, Blake Shelton, and Anna’s counterpart for new male artist of the year, Tucker Wetmore.
A first-time nominee, Anna was surprised with the trophy after her performance at the Lone Star Smokeout festival in Arlington, Texas, on April 26, delivered by fellow country singer, and frequent collaborator, Sam Barber.
“I’m just so grateful for this, I’m so honored,” Avery told the crowd from the stage earlier this week.
“Thank you guys for rallying for me, supporting me and cheering me on. I thank God every day that I get to do this and that he put this passion on my heart. I’m so grateful for people like you that show up for artists like me and embrace the things that we have to say. Thank you guys so much. This is such an honor.”
Here’s everything you need to know about one of country music’s new breakthrough stars.
What to know about Avery Anna
Born Avery Anna Rhoton in Flagstaff, Arizona, Anna first found an audience during the pandemic, posting acoustic covers and original songs from her claw-foot bathtub on TikTok.
One viral video caught the attention of producer David Fanning, who later became her manager. She moved to Nashville at 17, signed with Warner Music Nashville in 2022, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut later that year.
Since then, Avery has carved out a lane with intimate, confessional country-pop songs like “Narcissist” and “Mr. Predictable.”
In 2024, Anna released her debut album “Breakup Over Breakfast.” That same year, Anna released a duet with Sam Barber, “Indigo,” which has since gone platinum.
Earlier this year, she released several new songs, including a few with rock and Americana influences.
Over the past four years, Anna has built a loyal following with emotionally raw, diary-like songs inspired by her own journals and fan-submitted letters.
Bryan West is a music reporter at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected]. Follower her on Instagram at @audreyraegibbs.
