Lainey Wilson just earned the coveted ACM Awards 'Triple Crown.' Here's what that means
The Academy of Country Music Awards are among us yet again—and this year Lainey Wilson took home Entertainer of the Year, which means she earns the coveted "Triple Crown Award."
The respected Triple Crown Award consists of three separate wins in different ACM Award categories.
For artists who have won in the Entertainer of the Year, New Artist (Male, Female, Duo, or Group) and Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) categories, they've achieved a trio of wins that becomes the Triple Crown. The honor is then bestowed upon the artists who join an elite group of only a handful of winners.
Curious as to who has won the award in the past? Or which artist won the Triple Crown Award the first time?
We have answers.
When are the 2024 ACM Awards?
The awards show will take place at The Star in Frisco, Texas on May 16 at 7 p.m. CST, streaming live on Prime Video.
Who has a chance to win the Triple Crown award this year?
Lainey Wilson or Luke Combs had the opportunity to win the Triple Crown Award this year.
Wilson winning Entertainer of the Year category, means she'll clinch the honor.
Wilson won New Artist in 2022 and Female Artist in 2023. Combs won New Artist in 2019 and Male Artist in 2023 (he's won both awards more than once).
What artist won the Triple Crown Award first?
Merle Haggard first achieved the award in 1971. The "Pancho and Lefty" singer was also the first Entertainer of the Year winner at the ACMs in 1971.
When did the ACMs start presenting the Triple Crown Award?
The ACMs did not begin presenting the Triple Crown Award until 2005.
By that point, six artists had already qualified for the Triple Crown and were awarded the honor that year: Haggard, Mickey Gilley, Barbara Mandrell, Brooks & Dunn, The Chicks and Kenny Chesney.
Who has won the ACM's Triple Crown Award in the past?
Only nine country acts have been awarded the Triple Crown Award.
Here's our full list:
Kenny Chesney, 2005
Top New Male Vocalist, 1998
Top Male Vocalist, 2003
Entertainer of the Year, 2005
Merle Haggard, 2005
Top New Male Vocalist, 1966
Top Male Vocalist, 1967
Entertainer of the Year, 1971
Mickey Gilley, 2005
Top New Male Vocalist, 1975
Top Male Vocalist, 1977
Entertainer of the Year, 1977
Barbara Mandrell, 2005
Top New Female Vocalist, 1972
Top Female Vocalist, 1979
Entertainer of the Year, 1981
Brooks & Dunn, 2005
Top New Vocal Duet or Group, 1992
Top Vocal Duet, 1992
Entertainer of the Year, 1996
Carrie Underwood, 2010
Top New Female Vocalist, 2006
Top Female Vocalist, 2007
Entertainer of the Year, 2009
Jason Aldean, 2016
Top New Male Vocalist, 2006
Top Male Vocalist, 2013
Entertainer of the Year, 2016
Miranda Lambert, 2022
Top New Female Vocalist, 2007
Top Female Vocalist, 2010
Entertainer of the Year, 2022
Chris Stapleton, 2023
Top New Male Vocalist, 2015
Top Male Vocalist, 2015
Entertainer of the Year, 2023
For more information on the ACM Awards, head to acmcountry.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: ACM Awards: Lainey Wilson joins Triple Crown winners. What that means
