Reba McEntire Hosts ACM Awards for Record 17th Time–And Fans Can't Get Enough

Reba McEntire attends the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards at Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/WireImage)

Reba McEntire is breaking records on the 2024 ACM Awards stage!

The country music icon kicked off the 59th Annual ACM Awards with a bang on Thursday, May 16, opening the show with a monologue that was hilarious and sweet as she prepared her audience for the night ahead.

McEntire, 69, took her spot on the stage after an energetic opening performance by Lainey Wilson. The "Queen of Country" praised Wilson for her "high style" and "work ethic," telling the "Heart Like a Truck" singer that she was even giving Dolly Parton "a run for her money.”

Later, during her opening monologue, which show organizers shared on social media, McEntire also noted that she had received her first-ever ACM Award 40 years earlier. The reminder led to a slew of jokes from the "Fancy" singer, who quipped that the name Jelly Roll used to just be "an after-school snack,” not an award-nominated country artist. McEntire also jokingly remembered that "a stagecoach was how I got to work,” not a popular country music festival, and told viewers that she knew Post Malone back in his "Pre Malone" days.

Fans who were watching the awards show online seemed to love the job that McEntire was doing as the ceremony's host, with many calling her a "queen" on social media as others declared she was "killing it."

"Having Reba host this year’s show is like having your favorite aunt come over for dinner," one fan on X, formerly Twitter, wrote. "She’s so sweet & you love to hear from her."

McEntire "is just an absolutely incredible entertainer, country music is lucky to have her," another fan agreed.

"It’s always a good time and a party" when McEntire hosts the ACMs, one viewer said as another called her "the ultimate host."

Others called out McEntire's fashion choices for the night, which she switched up between the red carpet and the start of the show. While McEntire wore a black sequined jacket and sheer fringed pants upon her arrival with her boyfriend, Rex Linn, she traded the look for what looked like black leather pants and a fringed black jacket with red and gold detailing when she stepped onto the stage. She paired the look with a large belt buckle and bright red cowgirl boots.

"Stunning at always," one fan wrote on X as others agreed she was "looking fabulous."

"I love Reba mcentire’s laugh," another fan noted.

This year's show, held at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, marks McEntire's 17th time with the hosting gig, which is the most of any artist in the award show history.

And McEntire has quite an impressive track record with Country's Music Party of the Year. She already has 16 ACM Award wins under her belt, along with nine nominations for the prestigious ACM Entertainer of the Year Award, which she won in 1994. She also holds the most nominations for Female Artist of the Year.

"I am tickled to pieces to get to host the ACM Awards for the 17th time!” McEntire said in a statement after she was asked to host the show yet again. “What an honor to have been part of the past, present and now the future of the Academy of Country Music with Amazon Prime Video. I can’t wait to get to Texas and see everybody May 16th!"

McEntire will be taking the stage to perform some of her "brand new music," the ACM website previously teased, promising fans a "show-stopping" performance from the beloved country queen.

The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards presentation is streaming live exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.

Next: See the Best of the 2024 ACM Awards Red Carpet Fashions