Reba McEntire hosted the 2009 Country Music Awards. The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Award ceremony was held on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas. The Country Music Awards are broadcasted nationwide annually and are presented by the Country Music Association. Also referred to as the CMAs, these awards recognize the best songwriters and performers in country music.

• Miley Cyrus: Made her debut performance at the Academy of Country Music AwardsMTV: Miley Cyrus To Perform At Academy Of Country Music Awards (March 26, 2009)
• Lady Antebellum: Winner of 2008 Top New Vocal Duo or Group and nominated for 2009 Top Vocal Group andACMA: ACM Awards Show Performers (March 26, 2009)
• Lee Ann Womack: Five ACM awards winner is nominated for 2009 Top Female VocalistACMA: ACM Awards Show Performers (March 26, 2009)
• Jamey Johnson: Five-time 2009 ACM award nominee, including Top New Male Vocalist, Album of the Year, Single Record of the Year and as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for "In Color"
• Toby Keith: ACM Entertainer of the Year in 2002 and 2003 is nominated for 2009 Top Male VocalistACM News: Performers Announced for ACM Awards (March 5, 2009)
• Miranda Lambert: Nominated for two 2009 ACM awards, one for Top Female Vocalist and the other for Single Record of the Year for "Gunpower & Lead"ACM News: Performers Announced for ACM Awards (March 5, 2009)
• John Rich: Big & Rich has previously been nominated for fourteen ACM awards and is nominated for 2009 Top Vocal Duo ACMA: ACM Awards Show Performers (March 26, 2009)
• Heidi Newfield: Nominated for five ACM 2009 awards including Top Female VocalistACM News: Performers Announced for ACM Awards (March 5, 2009)
• Rascal Flatts: Received the 2008 The Home Depot Humanitarian Award and has previously won seven ACM awardsACM News: Performers Announced for ACM Awards (March 5, 2009)
• Sugarland: Nominated for 2009 Top Vocal Duo and Vocal Event of the YearACM News: Performers Announced for ACM Awards (March 5, 2009)
• Taylor Swift: The 2008 Top New Female Vocalist last year is nominated for four 2009 ACM awardsACM News: Performers Announced for ACM Awards (March 5, 2009)

• Julianne Hough: Won Top New Female Vocalist for her self-titled debut album, Julianne Hough, this was the Dancing with the Stars pro's first nomination and first winACM: New Artist Winners Announced (March 6, 2009)
• Zac Brown Band: Won Top New Vocal Duo or Group for their fourth album, The Foundation, this was their first nomination and first winACM: New Artist Winners Announced (March 6, 2009)
• Jake Owen: Won Top New Male Vocalist for his second album Easy Does It he was previously nominated for Top New Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year in 2008ACM: New Artist Winners Announced (March 6, 2009)

• Dolly Parton: Jim Reeves International Award for "outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world" ACMA: Special Awards Honorees Announced (March 24, 2009)
• Merle Haggard and Harlan Howard: Poet's Award for "outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music ACMA: Special Awards Honorees Announced (March 24, 2009)
• Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and Hank Williams, Jr.: Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award which honors "individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre"ACMA: Special Awards Honorees Announced (March 24, 2009)
• Beer For My Horses: Tex Ritter Award for a "movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music" ACMA: Special Awards Honorees Announced (March 24, 2009)
• David Young: Mae Boren Axton Award "in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music"ACMA: Special Awards Honorees Announced (March 24, 2009)

• ACMA: ACM Awards Show Performers (March 26, 2009)
• ACMA: Special Awards Honorees Announced (March 24, 2009)
  1. CBS News: Paisley Leads Way Among ACM Nominees (February 11, 2009)