MIRANDA LAMBERT became the most awarded artist in Academy of Country Music Awards history during the 53rd Annual ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 15, 2018.

The Lindale, Texas, native entered the ceremony with 29 ACM Awards earned throughout her career, tying her with Brooks & Dunn for the title of winningest artist. (She already held the record for solo act with the greatest number of wins.) She won the first award of the night, Song of the Year for “Tin Man,” to break the record. “Thank you guys so much for sharing my broken heart with me,” she said.

Miranda LambertMiranda Lambert

PRIDE OF LINDALE: From innocence to experience.

Just as impressive, Lambert also scored her ninth consecutive win in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, where she was already the record holder for consecutive wins. (Fellow Texan Kacey Musgraves would end that streak by winning the award in 2019.)

“I love country music,” Lambert said upon receiving the Female Vocalist trophy. “It’s my entire life; I dedicate everything I have to it. And for y’all to care so much about what I’m doing, I’ll never, ever take it for granted.”

Lambert’s ACM success doesn’t end there. In 2016, she was the inaugural recipient of the Merle Haggard Spirit Award, which recognizes singer-songwriters “whose career reflects the uncompromising integrity and steadfastness of spirit embodied by the late Merle Haggard.” In her acceptance speech, Lambert called Haggard “one of my heroes,” and “the reason I write songs — he changed my life.” The country icon sang a cover of Haggard’s “Misery and Gin” prior to her acceptance speech.

 

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