Chris Stapleton was a big winner at the 5th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday night (9/21). During the ceremony, Stapleton was presented with the Artist of the Year award – his first-ever win (or nomination) in this category. Chris told the crowd during his acceptance speech, “Thank you to all the Americana radio stations out there, it’s been a big part of what we’ve been doing. I’m nervous, there’s so many heroes out here in audience and up here on the stage, this is a remarkable thing.”

·         The ceremony also featured special appearances by George Strait and Dwight Yoakam, among others.