Dan + Shay Win Duo of the Year at 2024 ACM Awards, Give Shout-Out to Beloved Dog

Dan + Shay won their fourth duo of the year award at The Academy of Country Music’s 59th ACM Awards on Thursday night (May 16).

“I’m freaking out right now,” Dan Smyers told the crowd at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, upon taking the stage to accept the trophy, turning to his partner. “Shay, I love you so much brother. I’m so proud to be back up on this stage with you. We’ve been on quite a wild journey over the past 10 years, we’ve seen a lot of highs and a lot of lows, but the one thing that has remained the same is the love and support of this country music community. You all are family to us.”

Smyers went on to shout out his family, and give a special message to his dog, Joy, who he shared is “kicking cancer’s a– right now.”

Shay Mooney then took the microphone, noting, “I’m so nervous right now. You’d think you’d get less nervous the more you do this.”

He continued, “I’m a little overwhelmed and I’m looking out here and see all my friends. You guys are my family, man. Thank you guys for getting us here and thank you for allowing us to make country music. God bless Texas, God bless country music and God bless Reba McEntire!”

The awards show is hosted by McEntire and produced by Dick Clark Productions. (DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldridge. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.)