Award ceremonies have been held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Nissan Stadium, The Celebrity Theater in Dollywood, and The Grand Ole Opry House.

[9][10] Past recipients of the Lifetime Career Achievement Award and those inducted into the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame include, Lacy J. Dalton,[11][12] Vern Gosdin,[13] William Lee Golden,[14] Razzy Bailey, Lulu Roman, Bobby G. Rice, Bucky Covington, and T. Graham Brown, among others.

[20] Special Guest Presenters included Cledus T. Judd, William Lee Golden, Mr. Talkbox, Jimmy Wayne, Dallas Wayne, Roxane and Tim Atwood, Jimmy Bowen, Mary Sarah, Sammy Sadler, Leon Everette, and Clarence Jey.

Bobby Mackey was inducted into the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame and Deborah Allen was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

[32] This year's awards show performers included Tiffany, Neal McCoy, Buddy Jewell, JD Shelburne, Randy Edelman, Ashton Shepherd, and LVVRS.