Damon Whiteside. Photo: Katie Kauss
The Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside will exit the company after six-and-a-half years of leadership. Whiteside will remain CEO through June 30, 2026 and then will continue serving as the CEO Emeritus for the remainder of this year.
During his tenure, Whiteside increased ACM membership to the largest and most diverse in its history and strengthened the organization’s profitability, with 2025 profits increasing 150% and 2026 profits projected to grow another 140%. The Academy relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville. Whiteside also expanded the ACM franchises to include 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, as well as returned the ACM Honors to broadcast.
Through ACM Lifting Lives, the organization’s philanthropic partner, Whiteside helped harness the strength of the Country Music community to support industry members in need by raising and distributing over $4 million via a COVID Response Fund and generating over $1.3 Million in annual fundraising over the past year through new events and partnerships.
In addition to serving as CEO of the Academy of Country Music, Whiteside also executive produced ACM Honors, ACM Our Country and ACM Awards, which he repositioned into a streaming-first event. Most recently, he produced the sold-out 60th Anniversary ACM Awards hosted by Reba McEntire, which delivered more than 70% year-over-year live viewership growth for Amazon Prime Video and featured the final televised awards show performance by Alan Jackson.
“Damon’s forward-thinking vision and leadership not only strengthened ACM’s connection to the Country Music community and industry, but also allowed us to attract new audiences around the world. The ACM Board is beyond thankful for his partnership, dedication, and passion which have set the organization up for continued success and impact well into the future,” says Cris Lacy, Chair, ACM Board of Directors.
“I am proud of everything we have accomplished together in my time at the Academy of Country Music. I am thankful for the amazing team that I have mentored and learned from, our many strategic partners that have helped us continue to innovate, as well as the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives Boards for their leadership that will guide the Academy into its bright future,” adds Whiteside. “I believe that I am leaving ACM in a better place with stability and security that will allow the organization to continue to grow and reach new heights. I am excited for my next act as I explore my passions and continue to learn and create impact in the entertainment industry.”
ACM’s Board of Directors has formed a search committee to identify his successor.
Lauryn Sink is a staff writer at MusicRow Magazine. Hailing from Lexington, North Carolina, Lauryn is a 2025 graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.