Gabby Barrett may be walking the ACM Awards red carpet alone this year, but she has a very special reason for it.
Normally, the songstress makes an appearance at big events with her husband, Cade Foehner by her side, however she reveals her other half will not be making an appearance this time as he is celebrating a major milestone of his own—his college graduation.
“My husband’s graduating from, he’s been doing online college at TMU for the past four and a half years. So he’ll be graduating with a degree in biblical studies,” Barrett told Country Now.
Foehner is currently in California getting ready for the commencement ceremony while Barrett is in Texas preparing to present at the 2025 ACM Awards. After wrapping up her ACM duties, she will hop on a plan and fly over to meet up with her husband and their kids to celebrate.
Barrett didn’t attend college herself, but she recognizes how meaningful the moment is for her husband.
“I am so glad he gets to do it and walk and that’s such a special, I didn’t go to college, but I know that that’s a special thing.”
Feeling The Nerves Before Hitting The ACM Award Stage
The American Idol alum is no stranger to the Academy of Country Music Awards stage, but presenting this year comes with its own set of nerves and excitement. The chart-topping singer reveals she is set to introduce ACM New Female of the Year, Ella Langley for her highly anticipated performance on Thursday, May 8.
Although the pair of female singer/songwriters have never officially met in person, Barrett reveals she is “very pumped” for the opportunity to help introduce the rising star to the stage.
“I think she’s cool. She is a vibe, a breath of fresh air a little bit. I’ve never met her in person though, so hope to bump into her. Excited to see her live too,” Barrett told Country Now while backstage of the upcoming awards show.
The mom of three goes on to say she still gets a bit nervous anytime she has to speak in front of such a large crowd.
“I get all the butterflies. I’m like, I never thought I’d be the person talking. I don’t know how you guys do it,” she admits.
Barrett Reveals Major Life Change
This year’s 60th celebration feels especially meaningful for Gabby Barrett, who revealed she and her family now call the Lone Star State home
“Texas is such an amazing state. I love living here. We’re actually based out of Texas now,” she shared. “My husband’s through and through a cowboy from Texas, east Texas. So yeah, he’s actually from, not far from where Miranda Lambert is and grew up. So we’re over there. We love it.”
Barrett was raised in the middle of Pennsylvania, so living in Texas is quite a change from the environment she grew up in.
“It’s definitely very different from what I grew up around. I’m a northeast, like Pittsburgh, right in the middle of Pennsylvania girl, so it’s very different for me. But I love it. I feel like I was made to be in the south. I was just born in the wrong spot sort of. No, I’m kidding,” she joked. “But I love it. Texas is very special. It’s an awesome state and so glad to be here this year.”
2025 ACM Awards Performers
In honor of the show’s milestone year, a very special opening performance has been announced. The all-star lineup of Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland will take the stage for a 12-minute performance that highlights ACM Songs of the Year from six decades
The show will also feature powerhouse duets, including a collaborative performance between Backstreet Boys and Rascal Flatts; a standout performance from Jelly Roll and Shaboozey; and Brooks & Dunn will take the stage with Cody Johnson.
Plus, 2024 ACM New Female Artist of the Year,Megan Moroney, joins this year’s star-packed show featuring previously announced performances by Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Blake Shelton, Brothers Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini, Eric Church, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert, as well as New Artist of the Year winners Ella Langley and Zach Top.
Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT. The show will air from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys.
More details can be found HERE.
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