Down For The Countdown: Luke Bryan took home Artist of the Year during last night's (5/1) American Country Countdown Awards, which aired live on FOX-TV. Highlights included the show opener "This One's For The Girls" by Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles and Cam; Brooks & Dunn's performance of "Red Dirt Road" after the duo received the 2016 Nash Icon Award; and Toby Keith's tribute to the late Merle Haggard with Haggard's band The Strangers here. Bryan added Male Vocalist to his wins, while Sam Hunt also won twice, for Breakthrough Male and Digital Album of the Year. Other winners are:
- Carrie Underwood – Female Vocalist of the Year
- Florida Georgia Line – Group/Duo of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini – Breakthrough Female of the Year
- Old Dominion – Breakthrough Group/Duo of the Year
- "Die A Happy Man" – Song of the Year (Thomas Rhett)
- Traveller – Album of the Year (Chris Stapleton)
- "Girl Crush" – Digital Song of the Year (Little Big Town)
- Garth Brooks – Touring Artist of the Year