Damon Whiteside, the long-standing CEO of the Academy of Country Music (ACM), is set to conclude his tenure in June after six transformative years. Under his leadership, the organization witnessed remarkable growth in membership, a substantial boost in profitability, and a pioneering shift of the ACM Awards to an exclusive streaming format. As Whiteside transitions to an Emeritus role to facilitate a smooth handover, the search for his successor is already underway, marking a new chapter for one of country music's prominent institutions. This development also aligns with a broader leadership change within the country music industry, as the Country Music Association (CMA) CEO, Sarah Trahern, also prepares to step down, prompting concurrent executive searches for both major organizations.

Whiteside's Transformative Leadership at ACM

Damon Whiteside is stepping down as CEO of the Academy of Country Music in June after six impactful years, with plans to serve as CEO Emeritus through the end of the year to aid in the transition. The ACM board has initiated a search for his replacement. During his tenure, Whiteside significantly expanded ACM membership, making it the largest and most diverse in its history. He also bolstered the organization's financial health, with profits increasing by 150% in 2025 and an additional 140% projected for 2026, showcasing a period of strong economic growth and stability.

A key strategic move under Whiteside's direction was the decision to transition the annual ACM Awards from traditional broadcast networks to an exclusive streaming partnership with Amazon Prime Video in 2022. This innovative shift marked the ACM Awards as the first major awards show to adopt a streaming-only model. The 60th-anniversary broadcast in 2025, executive-produced by Whiteside and hosted by Reba McEntire, saw a remarkable 70% year-over-year increase in live viewership on Prime Video. Furthermore, Whiteside expanded ACM's event portfolio with new franchises like “ACM Our Country” and “ACM Wine & Country,” and oversaw the return of the “ACM Honors” show to broadcast television, while the philanthropic arm, ACM Lifting Lives, achieved over $1.3 million in annual fundraising.

A New Era for Country Music Leadership

Damon Whiteside's departure as CEO of the Academy of Country Music in June, followed by a period as CEO Emeritus to ensure a smooth transition, marks a pivotal moment for the organization. His leadership has been widely praised for invigorating the ACM, particularly through a significant increase in its diverse membership base and a dramatic enhancement of its financial performance. The ongoing search for his successor highlights the ACM's commitment to maintaining its forward momentum and influence within the country music landscape, building on the foundation Whiteside established.

This executive transition at the ACM comes at a time when the country music industry is experiencing broader leadership changes. Coincidentally, the Country Music Association (CMA) will also see its CEO, Sarah Trahern, step down at the end of 2026 after 14 years. These parallel leadership searches for two of country music's most influential organizations signify a new era, prompting both bodies to seek fresh visionaries who can continue to innovate and expand the genre's reach. Whiteside's accomplishments, including the strategic relocation of the ACM headquarters to Nashville and the successful shift to streaming for its awards ceremony, are expected to shape the future direction and leadership criteria for both organizations as they navigate an evolving entertainment industry landscape.