Wallen, Lambert take top honors at ACM Awards

Morgan Wallen won album of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Monday night for "Dangerous: The Double Album," a year after he was removed from the ACMs ballot after he was caught on camera using a racial slur.

Wallen made no direct reference to the issue and his absence from recent awards shows as he accepted the trophy at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, but may have hinted at it. "To my son, this award will signify that his daddy was a fighter," Wallen said, finishing his speech by enthusiastically thanking the fans in attendance. Wallen was among the few winners who did not perform on the show.

Miranda Lambert took home the night's top prize, entertainer of the year, for the first time after losing out in five previous years, but she was not in Las Vegas to accept it.

"I cannot believe I'm not there to celebrate," Lambert said in a video message from London. "It's the first time I've missed the ACMs in 17 years. I've been waiting a long time for this."

Carly Pearce won best female artist and Chris Stapleton won best male artist over Wallen, who took no other awards Monday night after being nominated for three.

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood won single of the year for their duet "If I Didn't Love You," while Lainey Wilson won song of the year for "Things a Man Oughta Know." The artists later performed the songs live in a show that was heavy on performances.

The show, streamed live on Amazon Prime Video, tried to evoke a party atmosphere while paying tribute to tragedies both global and local.