Chris Stapleton Wins 2021 ACM Awards Album of the Year

Chris Stapleton was one of the night's biggest winners at the 2021 ACM Awards in Nashville on Sunday night (April 18). The acclaimed singer-songwriter put another award on his mantel when he took home Album of the Year honors for his most recent project, Starting Over.

Stapleton was on hand at the iconic singer-songwriter venue the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to receive the honor after an introduction from presenter Clay Walker, who murmured, "Wow, so deserving," after reading Stapleton's name on the ballot and before revealing him as the winner. Stapleton beat out a slate of the top artists in country music for the award, including Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Ashley McBryde and Brothers Osborne.

"Thank you for giving us this award tonight," Stapleton said in his typically low-key acceptance speech. "We work really hard to make music, and we think a lot about it," he added before thanking his wife and the production and musical team involved in the album.

"It means a lot to us, it really does," he said before closing by saying once again, "Thank you ... thank you very much."

Stapleton went into the 2021 ACM Awards tied with Maren Morris for the largest number of nominations, with six apiece. He teamed with Miranda Lambert earlier in the evening to perform a heart-wrenching song from Starting Over titled "Maggie's Song," which was written about his family's departed dog.

The 2021 ACM Awards aired live on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Sign up for the streaming service here.

See Pictures From the 2021 ACM Awards Red Carpet:

The best dressed on the 2021 ACM Awards red carpet brought color — lots of color — for an awards show that promises to be a celebration. Photos show stars like Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young, Kane Brown and more wearing the hottest and often most expensive designer outfits, or suits they designed themselves, in the case of Jimmie Allen.

Check out a full gallery of country music's hottest stars on the ACM Awards red carpet. Who do you think is best dressed and worst dressed?

The 2021 ACM Awards took place at the Bluebird Cafe, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sunday (April 18).