Morgan Wallen was named ACM Male Artist of the Year at the 2023 ACM Awards on Thursday evening (May 11). 

The news was announced during the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards by co-host Garth Brooks. 

Wallen was unable to accept the award in person as he is currently on a strict, six-week doctor-ordered vocal rest. 

Brooks accepted the award on his behalf. 

"Morgan Wallen couldn't be here tonight. Tell you the truth, man, I can't, we all know what it takes to win this award, to put in all that work to win. It is one thing to be here, not to get it must be killing him. So let's all celebrate," Brooks said from the stage. 

Earlier this week, Wallen shared the unfortunate news with fans via an emotional video message. In the clip, Wallen revealed that he has been placed on vocal rest and that he would be unable to perform and appear at the ACM Awards.

"What's going on y'all, I'm just going to get straight to it. I got some bad news from my Doctor's at the Vanderbilt Voice Center yesterday. After taking ten days of vocal rest, I performed three shows last weekend in Florida and by the third one I felt terrible," he explained. "So, I went in and got scoped yesterday and they told me I injured my vocal cords and that I have vocal fold trauma. Their advice is that I go on vocal rest for six weeks. So that's what I'm going to do. They want me to not talk at all, but they said it's okay if I need to for something like this."

He then shared that he unfortunately, won't be able to perform at the ACM Awards or ACM Lifting Lives LIVE: Morgan Wallen & Friends, presented by VGT by Aristocrat Gaming. 

"They told me that if I do this the right way that I'll get back to 100% and they also said that if I don't listen and if I keep singing that I permanently damage my voice. So for the longevity of my career this is just the choice I had to make," he acknowledged. "I hate it, but I love you guys and I appreciate all the support that you always give me and I'll see you soon and I'll be back better than ever. God bless you." 

Wallen earned four nominations for the 2023 ACM Awards, including the coveted Entertainer Of The Year, Male Artist Of The Year, Song Of The Year ("Sand In My Boots") and Artist-Songwriter Of The Year.

The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards featured performances by Jason Aldean, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, Ed Sheeran, HARDY, Keith Urban, The War And Treaty, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman and more.

Nine awards were announced during the live broadcast, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Duo of the Group, Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Event of the Year. Several winners were also announced ahead of the show.

Additionally, "Country Music's Party Of The Year" featured a star-studded list of collaborations and unforgettable moments. Reigning ACM Female Artist Of The Year Carly Pearce teamed up with Trisha Yearwood to perform a special medley of in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Yearwood winning Female Artist Of The Year. 

Meanwhile, Cole Swindell joined forces with Jo Dee Messina to deliver an epic performance of the "She Had Me At Heads Carolina" remix and Ashley McBryde took fans to Lindeville with a performance of "Bonfire At Tina's."

Gabby Barrett, BRELAND, Brandy Clark, Jordan Davis, Mickey Guyton, Tyler Hubbard, Dustin Lynch, T.J. Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, MacKenzie Porter, Dak Prescott, Emmitt Smith, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood served as presenters during the ceremony.

The two-hour awards show streamed live for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.

Co-hosted by country music icons Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, the 2023 ACM Awards broadcasted live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas at 7/6c.