Jason Aldean Reflects on ACMs: ‘Entertainer of the Year was a Personal Thing I Wanted’

Jason Aldean is more than humbled by his two Entertainer of the Year wins, but would be just as satisfied with his career without the wins.

Written by Annie Reuter
Jason Aldean Reflects on ACMs: ‘Entertainer of the Year was a Personal Thing I Wanted’
Jason Aldean; Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Jason Aldean is nominated for Entertainer of the Year at the upcoming ACM Awards for the seventh time. Ahead of the 53rd annual awards on April 15, the two-time reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year discusses what the recognition means to him.

In an interview with Sounds Like Nashville and various Nashville media, the singer admits that if he never won an award, it wouldn’t make his career any less successful in his eyes. That being said, he adds that he’s flattered each time he’s nominated.

“We don’t always get nominated and it does mean a lot to me when we do get those votes and people are voting for us,” he admits.

Aldean took home his first Entertainer of the Year trophy in 2016 and became the reigning champion the following year in 2017. His first nomination for the coveted award was in 2011 and he says it’s a moment he has never forgotten.

“Entertainer of the Year was a personal thing I wanted,” he shares. “When I started in this business, two things I wanted was… a platinum record on my wall and to win Entertainer of the Year. So that was just my personal thing. It means a lot when you get nominated for those things and when you feel like your peers and everybody in the industry feels strongly enough about you to vote for you. And, if anything, I think it just makes you feel good.”

He adds, “The acceptance you’re getting from everybody, that’s a cool feeling. And, on the flip side of that, I would say if I never won an award ever, I still wouldn’t feel like my career was a failure.”

At the 53rd Annual ACM Awards airing live from Las Vegas on April 15 via CBS, Aldean is nominated for Entertainer of the Year alongside Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban. When asked who he’d pick if he could vote for any artist besides himself, he confesses that it’s a difficult choice to make. Giving several reasons why each candidate has a fair shot, he later explains that the category is really a road warrior award. So, who will win the ultimate road warrior title this year? Tune in on April 15 to find out.