Damon Whiteside, the current CEO of the Academy of Country Music, has announced that he will be stepping down from his position in June after six years of leading the organization. The ACM revealed that Whiteside will continue to serve as CEO Emeritus until the end of the year to assist with the transition process as a search committee looks for his successor.
One of the most significant changes implemented by Whiteside during his time as CEO was the decision to make the annual ACM Awards telecast a streaming-only event, breaking away from the traditional broadcast network or cable format. Since 2022, the live show has been exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video, marking a departure from its previous home on CBS for 25 years. Whiteside also served as the executive producer for the 60th anniversary edition of the awards show in 2025, which saw a 70% year-over-year increase in live viewership on Prime Video.
In a coincidental turn of events, both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association will be undergoing leadership changes around the same time. Sarah Trahern, the CEO of the CMA, announced her plans to step down at the end of 2026 after 14 years at the helm.
The 61st annual ACM Awards are scheduled to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, with the show once again being streamed on Prime Video or the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. Details about the host, performers, and nominees have yet to be announced. This return to Las Vegas marks a shift from the previous three-year partnership with the Dallas Cowboys in Texas from 2023 to 2025.
In addition to the changes in leadership and venue, the Academy of Country Music moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to Nashville in 2022, aligning itself with the heart of country music in the United States. Whiteside’s tenure also saw the expansion of the organization with new franchises, events, and shows such as “ACM Our Country,” “ACM 60th Gala,” “ACM Party for a Cause Nashville,” “ACM Wine & Country” at Hearst Castle, and the annual Charley Pride Inclusion Brunch. The “ACM Honors” show, which Whiteside executive-produced, also returned as a broadcast event.
Under Whiteside’s leadership, ACM Lifting Lives, the organization’s philanthropic partner, raised over $1.3 million in annual fundraising over the past year. Prior to his role at the ACM, Whiteside served as the Chief Marketing Officer of the Country Music Association and had a successful career at the Walt Disney Company, where he played a key role in launching the company’s tween music business and touring division.
