Tim McGraw was overcome with emotion as he entered the stage to win one of the evening's most important prizes on Monday night (Sept. 18) at the 2023 ACM Honors broadcast on Fox.
McGraw accepted the ACM Icon Award at the presentation, which was broadcast live on Monday night from Nashville's iconic Ryman Auditorium.
The Academy of Country Music bestows the Icon Award each year on "a country music artist, duo/group, or industry leader who, throughout their career,
has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry,
such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts."
McGraw began by admitting he would struggle to keep it together, adding, "I'm a weeper."
"Music can either change or save a person's life," he reflected. "I know it's probably saved mine more than once
and it's tried to kill me a couple of times as well," McGraw continued, tearing up as he talked.
"I would not be where I am today without you and your grace," he stated, holding back tears as he continued, "I love you unconditionally."
Brett Young was also in attendance at the 2023 ACM Honors, when he paid tribute to McGraw's legacy with a live performance of one of his early singles, "Don't Take the Girl."
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