ACM Awards 2024
Reba McEntire hosts the 59th annual Academy of Country Music awards from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Luke Combs is the most nominated artist of the night with eight nods, followed by Morgan Wallen and Megan Moroney with six ACM nominations each.
Coverage for this event has ended.
Lainey Wilson (Getty Images)
The 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards did not disappoint.
Lainey Wilson took home the coveted entertainer of the year award, in addition to female artist of the year and music event of the year with first-time winner, Jelly Roll.
Luke Combs was the most nominated artist at the 2024 ACM Awards, but he did not attend the ceremony. Tied for second were Morgan Wallen and Megan Moroney with six nominations each.
Reba McEntire returned for the 17th time as the host of the award show that was held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday night.
Read more about the winners of the 2024 ACM Awards.
Lainey Wilson wins entertainer of the year (Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson took home the biggest prize of the night at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Wilson earned the entertainer of the year award, and also clinched the coveted Triple Crown award.
The Academy of Country Music coined its “triple crown” for winners who clinch a trophy in one of each three sections – new artist category; male, female duo or group category; and entertainer of the year.
“I’ve been in Nashville 13 years doing this and ... first of all I just wanna say thank you so much Lord Jesus Christ," Wilson said on stage.
She thanked her team and her band for fighting for her "every single day."
"Everybody in this category has loved on me and believed in me, took me out on the road, sang songs with me, wrote with me, encouraged me every step of the way and I love y’all for that,” Lainey said. “I have the best fans in the world.”
Some of the past winners of this enviable award are Chris Stapleton (2023), Miranda Lambert (2022) and Luke Bryan (2021). In 2020, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett split the honor as they tied for the achievement.
With seven wins, Garth Brooks has the most wins in the ACM Awards category of entertainer of the year.
Fox News Digital's Breana Scheckwitz contributed to this report.
Noah Reid and Ashley McBryde (Getty Images)
Ashley McBryde and Noah Reid had some fun with Morgan Wallen at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday night.
While Wallen wasn't in attendance at the show, his name was still on everyone's mind. During their introduction for single of the year, McBryde and Reid, who stars on "Outer Banks", sang an original song for each nominee.
When it came to Wallen, Reid began singing a rendition of "Last Night" with slightly different lyrics.
“Last night after some alcohol, [that] chair right over there really started to piss me off," he sang. "It told me that I threw it at somebody I never met, and my publicist keeps telling me this ain’t over yet.”
McBryde then joked, "You should smile in the mug shot."
Wallen, 31, was charged with three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one count of disorderly conduct from his alleged chair-throwing incident on April 7, the Metro Nashville Police Department said.
Reba McEntire and Post Malone (Getty Images)
Post Malone was welcomed with open arms into the community at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Reba McEntire took the stage following Malone's electric performance. She affectionately called her buddy "Posty" after forming a friendship with Malone at the Super Bowl earlier this year, and asked if they could sing a song together.
McEntire and Malone began a few verses of "Ramblin' Man" in tribute to the late Dickey Betts, one of the founding member of the Allman Brothers Band.
Betts died in April at his home in Florida, his family confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time. He was 80.
"His extraordinary guitar playing alongside guitarist Duane Allman created a unique dual guitar signature sound that became the signature sound of the genre known as Southern Rock," the Allman Brothers Band said in a statement.
"He was passionate in life, be it music, songwriting, fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was all in on and excelled at anything that caught his attention."
Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson (Getty Images)
Jelly Roll won his first Academy of Country Music award Thursday.
The country star earned the music event of the year trophy for "Save Me" with Lainey Wilson.
"No pun intended but seriously this song saved me," he said while accepting the award. "I was in a dark place, I wrote it from my soul, I knew people would connect with it, one year ago today Lainey Wilson and I stood on this stage and debuted it."
He continued, "I wrote it with a high school friend. We never thought we’d be song writers. I never thought I’d be standing here. I thought I would die and go to jail and I’m standing here as an ACM award winner! You here what I’m talking about Texas?! Let’s go baby!"
Lainey Wilson (Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson praised Reba McEntire and the women of country music while accepting the 2024 ACM award for female artist of the year.
While speaking on stage at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, Wilson also admitted she's "best friends" with the women in the category.
She continued on, "Me and Wynonna Judd, we talk every week. She sends me devotionals."
Toby Keith and Jason Aldean (Getty Images)
Toby Keith was honored tonight at the Academy of Country Music Awards with a tribute performed by Jason Aldean.
Aldean’s performance of “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” was a tip of the (cowboy) hat to the late country music sensation.
Images of the late country star flashed on the screen behind Aldean as he sang his heart out to his friend. At the end of his song, Aldean said, "We love you Toby."
Keith died on Feb. 5 after battling stomach cancer, his family revealed in a statement at the time. The country music star announced his diagnosis in June 2022.
Jason Aldean expressed a heartfelt gratitude to Toby Keith, contributing part of his musical inspiration to the late country star. Keith pushed him to be true to himself.
"For me personally, he was a guy that I feel like ... just always spoke his mind," Aldean told Fox News Digital.
"He said what he thought, whether it was the popular opinion or not. And it wasn't, you know, it didn't always go well for him, and he didn't care. I mean, it was something that if he felt strongly about it and felt like it was something he believed in, he was going to speak his mind."
Kane Brown (Getty Images)
Kane Brown admitted he could have used a little liquid courage before his performance at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday.
Brown sang his cover of "Georgia On My Mind," the 1930 song originally made famous by Ray Charles.
Following his performance, the country music star chatted with Bobby Bones back stage where he said he was feeling slightly jittery about performing such a huge song.
“I was nervous man," Brown said. “It’s a big song but also I’m used to running around I’m not used to standing there.”
He added, “I wish I had tequila before I went on.”
Miranda Lambert (Getty Images)
Miranda Lambert swapped out her tight black dress for double denim to perform her new single, "Wranglers" at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Earlier on the red carpet, she admitted "Wranglers" was created with her past loves and losses in mind.
"We were talking girl talk over tequila one day, writing songs and we were talking about our past and things we’ve been through, guys we dated ... not so good ones," Lambert said while chatting before the ACMs.
One month later, the song came to fruition.
"You can kind of decipher what we discussed on that day," Lambert joked.
When asked if she really did try to burn a pair of Wranglers jeans, Lambert was honest with her answer.
"How do you think I know how well made they are? Very well made. Good on y'all, Wranglers."
Dan + Shay (Getty Images)
Dan + Shay took home the Academy of Country Music duo of the year award Thursday at the Ford center in Frisco, Texas.
“I’m freaking out right now. Shay, I love you so much brother," Dan said on stage. "I am so proud to be back up on this stage with you. We’ve been on quite a long journey over the last 10 years.
"We’ve seen a lot of highs a lot of lows but the one thing that has remained the same is the love and support of this country music community.”
Shay admitted his nerves were getting the best of him despite being in the business for quite some time.
“I’m so nervous right now," he said. "You’d think you would get less nervous the more you do this. First off, I wanna thank God, I wanna thank my wife, I wanna thank my 3 boys … It’s been a long time. I’m sorry daddy’s not home I miss you guys."
He added, "Thank you for allowing us to make country music. This is unbelievable man. God bless Texas, God bless country music and, by the way, God bless Reba McEntire."
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan
Country music fans took social media by storm for one special performance at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan performed "Stick Season" during the live telecast from the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.
"Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan is the duet I’ve always needed in my life!!," one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another user wrote, "I need a Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan collab ASAP."
"This performance WOW. Kelsea you're perfection and album was great," one X user commented, while another simply wrote, "UNREAL."
Jordan Davis (Getty Images)
Jordan Davis took home the Academy of Country Music award for song of the year for his hit, "Next Thing You Know."
While accepting his ACM award, Davis said, “I love song writing because of songs that won song of the year so to be holding this right now is crazy."
He added, "Thank you so much ACMs. Love you guys! Thank y’all'.”
Davis was up against Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs.
Reba McEntire (Getty Images)
Reba McEntire opened the Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday with a few laughs.
The country music legend noted that she's "been around for a while" to be able to host the show for 17 times.
"I can remember way back when Jelly Roll was an after school snack," McEntire said.
"Luke was one of the gospels, not half the guys in country music. And a stage coach was how I got to work. But we’re not here to talk about me.
"Tonight we’re here to talk about country music and how everyone is invited and welcome here at the country music’s party of the year."
Lainey Wilson (Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson kicked off the Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Dressed in all red in honor of her mother, she sang "God Blessed Texas."
"I wanted to be a little western, but my mama's walking the carpet with me tonight and her favorite color for me to wear is this color red," Wilson told Fox News Digital earlier on the red carpet.
"So, I'm doing it for my mama."
Wilson and Luke Combs both have their eyes on the prize with the Academy’s biggest title on the line – the ACMs Triple Crown award.
The Academy of Country Music coined its “triple crown” for winners who clinch a trophy in one of each three sections – new artist category; male, female duo or group category; and entertainer of the year.
Miranda Lambert (Getty Images)
Miranda Lambert found inspiration from within to write her latest song.
Lambert, 40, rocked a sweeping black dress with a plunging neckline while walking the red carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday.
She admitted her new hit "Wranglers" was created with her past loves and losses in mind.
"We were talking girl talk over tequila one day, writing songs and we were talking about our past and things we’ve been through, guys we dated ... not so good ones," Lambert said while chatting before the ACMs.
One month later, the song came to fruition. "You can kind of decipher what we discussed on that day," Lambert joked.
When asked if she really did try to burn a pair of Wranglers jeans, Lambert was honest with her answer.
"How do you think I know how well made they are? Very well made. Good on y'all, Wranglers."
Parker McCollum and Hallie Ray Light (Getty Images)
Country star Parker McCollum joined his wife Hallie Ray Light at the Academy of Country Music Awards to make a big reveal.
Light showed off her baby bump for the first time on the red carpet at the ACMs on Thursday at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Hallie wore a beige mesh gown with a high neckline while McCollum rocked a pair of classic blue jeans with a blazer and black Stetson.
McCollum is set to perform tonight, in addition to Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
Lainey Wilson (Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson is taking every chance she can to celebrate her mother.
The "Yellowstone" star admitted she dressed for success at the Academy of Country Music Awards thanks to her mom's advice.
"I wanted to be a little western, but my mama's walking the carpet with me tonight and her favorite color for me to wear is this color red," Wilson told Fox News Digital.
"So, I'm doing it for my mama."
Wilson and Luke Combs both have their eyes on the prize with the Academy’s biggest title on the line – the ACMs Triple Crown award.
The Academy of Country Music coined its “triple crown” for winners who clinch a trophy in one of each three sections – new artist category; male, female duo or group category; and entertainer of the year.
Combs and Wilson are both nominated for entertainer of the year, and a win for either in the category would earn their spot on the coveted list.
Fox News Digital's Larry Fink contributed to this report.
Reba McEntire, Rex Linn, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton (Getty Images)
Country couples' night out!
Reba McEntire mixed business with pleasure at The Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday night.
The ACM Awards host brought boyfriend Rex Linn along for a date night at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Reba met her beau nearly 40 years ago while working on the 1991 film, "The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw."
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani had the same idea as they walked the red carpet together at the ACM Awards.
The powerhouse couple is set to perform tonight, in addition to Post malone, Kelsea Ballerini and Jelly Roll.
Reba McEntire (Getty Images)
Reba McEntire took that one chance, and country music has never let her down.
The "Fancy" singer, who earned the entertainer of the year award nearly 30 years ago, returns to the stage for the 17th time to emcee the Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday, May 16, in Frisco, Texas.
In addition to her hosting responsibilities, Reba will perform her latest single, "I Can’t," during the live ACMs telecast.
Her performance comes on the heels of the news her "Happy's Place" pilot was recently picked up by NBC for a Friday night time slot in the fall.
If McEntire's plate seems full, don’t be fooled. She's used to heavy lifting. Read more about the queen of country music.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo (Getty Images)
Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie Xo, were feeling the love at The Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday.
The country crooner caught a few kisses from his beloved as they walked the red carpet at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Jelly Roll, whose full name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is a first-time nominee at the ACMs and is nominated for four ACM awards, including male artist of the year, single of the year, music event of the year, and entertainer of the year.
Billy Ray Cyrus was the last first-time honoree to be nominated for entertainer of the year in 1992 with his mega-hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs (Getty Images)
Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs continue driving "Fast Car" through the record books with two more nominations at the 2024 Academy of Country Music awards.
Combs topped the ACM awards nominations with eight nods, including entertainer of the year, album of the year and male artist of the year.
He's also nominated for single of the year and song of the year for "Fast Car," a nomination he shares with Chapman, who wrote the song in the late '80s.
Combs’ cover of Chapman’s Grammy-winning song went platinum in July 2023, and by September was a bona fide No. 1 country hit. Chapman became the first Black woman with a sole songwriting credit to top the country charts.
Read more about this dynamic duo and other ACM award nominees.
Jason Aldean and Toby Keith (Getty Images)
Jason Aldean was inspired by Toby Keith to be true to himself through the late country star's decades-long career.
Aldean is performing a tribute to Keith at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday evening.
Keith died on Feb. 5 after battling stomach cancer, his family revealed in a statement at the time. The country music star announced his diagnosis in June 2022.
Aldean says he admired the way Keith "always spoke his mind," even if what he had to say wasn't the "popular opinion."
"I think Toby was a guy for a lot of us in the business – well, I'll speak for myself. I think he was a guy that a lot of us looked up to," Aldean told Fox News Digital ahead of the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Read more about the ways Toby Keith inspired Jason Aldean.
Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz and Larry Fink contributed to this report.
Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson (Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs both have their eyes on the prize with the Academy of Country Music’s biggest title on the line – the ACMs Triple Crown award.
The Academy of Country Music coined its “triple crown” for winners who clinch a trophy in one of each three sections – new artist category; male, female duo or group category; and entertainer of the year.
Combs and Wilson are both nominated for entertainer of the year, and a win for either in the category would earn their spot on the coveted list.
Miranda Lambert was the last country singer to earn the prestigious Triple Crown when she added the entertainer of the year award to her collection in 2022.
The first country artist to ever achieve the feat was Merle Haggard in 1971. It wasn’t until 2005 that the Academy of Country Music began presenting Triple Crown winners with their award, and the ACMs notified Brooks & Dunn, The Chicks, Barbara Mandrell, Mickey Gilley, and Kenny Chesney.
Triple Crown award-winners have received their trophies in various capacities, whether during the live telecast or before the ACMs aired.
Carrie Underwood was presented with her Triple Crown during the ACMs in 2010, while Jason Aldean received his during the ACM Honors in 2016. Chris Stapleton also picked up his Triple Crown at the ACM Honors in 2023.
Going forward, the Academy of Country Music plans on celebrating Triple Crown award-winners at the annual ACM Honors event, which is dedicated to celebrating special award honorees, off-camera category winners, and ACM Industry and studio recording awards.
Both Keith Urban and The Chicks have qualified for the Triple Crown, but have not yet formally received the award.
Morgan Wallen (Getty Images)
Entertainer of the year is the most prestigious category at the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, airing live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 16.
Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson are each nominated for the top honor.
If either Combs or Wilson wins entertainer of the year, they’ll also receive the coveted Triple Crown award – an ACMs accolade for an artist who’s clinched each of the three awards: new artist category; male, female duo or group category; and entertainer of the year.
Luke Combs topped the 2024 ACM awards nominations with eight nods, including entertainer of the year, album of the year, song of the year, single of the year and male artist of the year.
“Last Night” singer Morgan Wallen and Megan Moroney each received six nominations. Moroney’s ACM nods make the country crooner the most-nominated woman at this year’s awards show.
Female and male artist of the year are equally competitive categories, in addition to duo of the year and group of the year.
Jelly Roll (Getty Images)
Country singer Jelly Roll leads the charge of first-time nominees at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Jelly Roll earned four nominations for ACM Awards, including male artist of the year, single of the year, music event of the year, and entertainer of the year.
Billy Ray Cyrus was the last first-time honoree to be nominated for entertainer of the year in 1992 with his mega-hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Additional first-time nominees include Ashley Cooke, Hannah Ellis, Kassi Ashton and Kylie Morgan in the new female artist of the year category.
New male artist of the year nominees include Conner Smith and Kameron Marlowe, while Flatland Cavalry earned a nomination for group of the year.
Tyler Childers earned his first ACM nomination in a first time category, visual media of the year.
Reba McEntire returns for her 17th hosting stint of the acclaimed ACM Awards, hosted at Ford Center at the The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Alanna Springsteen and MacKenzie Porter (Getty Images)
Country music never looked so good.
Alanna Springsteen and MacKenzie Porter kicked off the red carpet in style at The Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas.
The lineup of performers tonight includes stars such as Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett. Throughout the evening, entertainers of the year nominees, such as Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson and Kane Brown, will take the stage.
Luke Combs topped the 2024 ACM Awards nominations with eight nods, including entertainer of the year, album of the year, song of the year, single of the year and male artist of the year.
Reba McEntire returns for her 17th hosting stint of the acclaimed ACM Awards, hosted at Ford Center at the The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Check out all of the ACM Awards red carpet fashion.
Miranda Lambert (Getty Images)
Country music queen Miranda Lambert holds the title as the most decorated artist in ACM history.
The “Wranglers” singer has 37 wins under her belt at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Lambert earned her 17th female artist of the year nomination in 2023, surpassing ACMs host Reba McEntire previously set record of 16.
Miranda is set to perform live at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas.
Luke Combs topped the 2024 ACM Awards nominations with eight nods, including entertainer of the year, album of the year, song of the year, single of the year and male artist of the year.
“Last Night” singer Morgan Wallen and Megan Moroney each received six nominations. Moroney’s ACM nods make the country crooner the most-nominated woman at this year’s awards show.
First-time nominee Jelly Roll earned four nominations at the ACM Awards, including entertainer of the year. Billy Ray Cyrus was the last first-time-honoree to be nominated for entertainer of the year in 1992 with his mega-hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Sara Evans singing (Getty Images)
Sara Evans pulled out of her previously scheduled appearance at The Academy of Country Music Awards due to sickness.
The country music artist posted on social media that she would also be postponing upcoming shows in Virginia.
"Hey everyone. Unfortunately I have been super sick this week," she shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I was hoping to feel better, but I am not able to make it to the ACM Awards tonight and I have to reschedule my shows in Rocky Mount, VA this weekend.
"I am sooooo sad and was looking forward to everything."
Evans noted new dates were scheduled for October and "all tickets will still be valid.
"Love y'all and can't wait to get back on the road and sing with you soon!"
Jelly Roll (Getty Images)
Numerous country artists are slated to perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 16th at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
The lineup includes stars such as Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett. Throughout the evening, entertainers of the year nominees, such as Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson and Kane Brown, will take the stage.
The host of the awards ceremony, Reba McEntire, will put on a performance as well. Post Malone is set for his first appearance at the ACM Awards.
The event will feature pop acts like Avril Lavigne performing with Nate Smith. Other duets will take to the Frisco, Texas stage including Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani, and Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan.
Many performers are contenders for awards, including Kelsea Ballerini for female artist of the year, Nate Smith for male artist of the year, and Parker McCollum for single of the year.
Fox News Digital's Breana Scheckwitz contributed to this report.
Two of country music’s major award shows — the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards — can easily be confused, but each has their distinct characteristics.
The differences between the award shows include the awarding parties, voting processes and categories, among other distinctions.
The CMA Awards, organized by the Country Music Association in Nashville, Tennessee, are determined by industry professional members who maintain a focus on traditional country.
In contrast, the ACM Awards, produced by the Academy of Country Music and Dick Clark Productions and based in California, lean toward a more contemporary approach to country music.
Previously, ACM winners were chosen through a mix of fan and member votes, but now ACM members exclusively conduct voting. Determination of categories involves ballots or voter panels.
Unique to the ACMs are accolades including the artist of the decade and triple crown, as well as signature performances that pair country with pop artists.
Fox News Digital's Breana Scheckwitz contributed to this report.
Reba McEntire poses next to a guitar (Getty Images)
Reba McEntire is returning to the ACM Awards as the show's host for a record 17th time, more than any other individual in the event's history.
She expressed her excitement about the announcement by saying, "I am tickled to pieces to get to host the ACM Awards for the 17th time! 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!"
First taking up the Academy of Country Music Awards host role in 1986, Reba has become known for her humor and engaging stage presence.
As a 16-time ACM award recipient, she holds the record for the most female artist of the year nominations and has been nominated for entertainer of the year nine times.
Attendees and viewers can also look forward to a performance from Reba during the ceremony, where she will showcase her latest music.
Fox News Digital's Breana Scheckwitz contributed to this report.
The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards is here!
Get ready for a night of country music excellence as Reba McEntire returns to host the Academy of Country Music Awards for the 17th time.
She will guide attendees and viewers through the evening's festivities and also grace the stage with a performance showcasing her latest music.
Many country music favorites are in contention for awards, including Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.
Luke Combs leads with eight nominations this year, and Jelly Roll gets his inaugural nominations, one of which is for the coveted entertainer of the year.
Stars such as Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean will perform throughout the night, along with duets including husband and wife duo Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani.
The award show will be free to stream in over 240 countries and territories on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CDT / 5 p.m. PDT. The ceremony is live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Fox News Digital's Breana Scheckwitz contributed to this report.
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