From Taylor Swift to Carrie Underwood, You Won't Believe What the ACM Awards Looked Like in 2009

Ahead of the 2022 ACM Awards March 7, take a trip down memory lane and see Carrie Underwood, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and more at the 2009 show.

By EOL Staff Mar 07, 2022 6:00 PMTags
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It's that time of year again!

Back in Feb., the Academy of Country Music Awards announced the nominees for its 57th annual award show, with Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett co-hosting alongside the legend herself, Dolly Parton.

Chris Young leads the pack with seven total nominations—three of which are for his hit single "Famous Friends" with Kane Brown—while Miranda Lambert's 16th nod ties her with Reba McEntire's record for most Female Artist of the Year nominations. Plus, Blake Lively scored two noms for directing and producing Taylor Swift's "I Bet You Think About Me" music video. The superstar's brother, Austin Swift, also received his first nod as one of the video's producers.

Needless to say, the world is an entirely different place since the ACM's first started handing hats out in 1968. Looking back even to 2009, the country music community has come a long way. Back then, Carrie Underwood had taken home the ACM's biggest prize of Entertainer of the Year to secure country music's prestigious Triple-Crown Award. 

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Meanwhile, Swift won Album of the Year for her chart-topping second studio album Fearless and Luke Bryan wouldn't win Top New Artist until a year later.

Bryan as a new artist? Swift as a country singer? Oh, what a different time that was.  

In honor of the upcoming show, let's put on our boots and take a walk down memory lane as we recount what the ACMs looked like way back in 2009.

Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban

The happily married duo were all smiles as they made their way down the red carpet at the MGM Grand. 

Matthew McConaughey & Reba McEntire

You never know who will will show up for this Las Vegas party. The Dallas Buyers Club actor actor a moment with the country icon while on stage. 

Julianne Hough

The dancer dazzled in this gown before she went on to win the fan-voted Top New Artist award. 

Carrie Underwood

The country superstar shined on stage as she performed. Little did the world know that the American Idol winner would be a regular on the ACM Awards stage. 

Taylor Swift

The "Blank Space" singer graced the red carpet before she went on to win Album of the Year for her chart-topping album, Fearless

Miranda Lambert

The "Dead Flowers" singer looked confident on stage, despite not picking up any awards that evening. 

Scott Borchetta & Taylor Swift

The "Red" singer shared a moment with her former record label executive, as she picks up the award for Album of the Year. 

Marisa Miller

The Sports Illustrated model looked stunning as she walked the red carpets in the evening. 

Carrie Underwood

The "Before He Cheats" singer looked like a million bucks as she accepted the award for Entertainer of the Year. 

Sugarland

The band composed of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush was seen rehearsing before the big night.

Reba McEntire

The hostess for the night opened the show by performing one of her hits.

LeAnn Rimes

The "Blue" singer flashed a smile on the red carpet before she went on to win the Home Depot Humanitarian Award that night. 

Kaley Cuoco

The Big Bang Theory alum turned heads for all the right reasons as she presented an award. 

Miley Cyrus

Long before Plastic Hearts was released, the Hannah Montana star hit the stage to perform one of her hits.

Luke Bryan

The American Idol judge walked the red carpet in one of his first ACM Award appearances. 

A version of this story was first published on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:51 a.m. PT.