Only days after the Academy of Country Music (ACM) said it was not ready to pull the plug on next month’s ACM Awards, it announced Sunday the show has been postponed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of indoor events with large groups of people, including numerous concerts and this past weekend’s Juno Awards in Saskatoon.
In a statement, ACM CEO Damon Whiteside said producers went to “great lengths to find a safe solution” but ultimately decided to wait until later in the year to hand out the awards. “We look forward to identifying a future date that we can celebrate with our Country community safely,” Whiteside said.
MORE: Full Coverage Of COVID-19's Impact On Music
The 55th ACM Awards were scheduled for April 5 in Las Vegas and were going to be hosted by Keith Urban. Top nominees this year include Dan + Shay, Maren Morris, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett.
Canada is represented by Justin Bieber, who shares four noms with Dan + Shay for their collaboration “10,000 Hours,” and Lindsay Ell, who is up for New Female Artist of the Year and shares a nomination for her collaboration with Brantley Gilbert, "What Happens In A Small Town.” Whitehorse native Joey Moi is vying for Producer of the Year and Boots & Hearts, the annual country music festival in Oro-Medonte, Ont., is nominated for Festival of the Year.