Gabby Barrett has won her first Academy of Country Music award.
The Munhall native was surprised with some “mighty fine news” from country star and this year’s ACM Awards host Keith Urban.
In a video posted Thursday by the ACM Awards Twitter account, Urban reveals that Barrett was named the ACM new female artist of the year.
Congratulations to @GabbyBarrett_ on being named ACM New Female Artist of the Year!✨#ACMawards host @KeithUrban surprised her with the news—watch to see her adorable reaction!
? Don't miss Gabby's performance at the #ACMawards on Sunday, April 18th on @CBS! pic.twitter.com/Jk49priFD1
— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) April 8, 2021
Barrett, 21, shrieks in excitement when she hears the news.
“This is unbelievable. Thank you so much. This is such an honor. Ever since I came into the country music community, everyone’s been absolutely wonderful to me,” Barrett said. “This made the whole year for me.”
Ingrid Andress, Tenille Arts, Mickey Guyton and Caylee Hammack were also nominated for the award.
This year’s ACM Awards will be held April 18 in Nashville and broadcast live from three venues: the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. Barrett is set to perform at the awards show, as well.
“Goldmine,” Barrett’s first album, was released in June and reached No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. “I Hope,” a single from “Goldmine” and debatably her most popular song, has more than 183 million streams on Spotify. The music video for “I Hope” has also racked up plays on YouTube with over 97 million.
