Country star Eric Church gave an emotional acceptance speech at the 19th annual ACM Honors after receiving the Lifting Lives Award for his charity work following Hurricane Helene. Rather than celebrating chart hits or industry milestones, the ACM Honors ceremony recognised artists who use their fame to support others, and Church's tribute highlighted the power of music to unite people in times of crisis.

Church recalled organising the Concert for Carolina benefit show, enlisting fellow artists including Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, James Taylor, Luke Combs and Billy Strings, which he described as the most "pure-intentioned" concert of his career. The event raised more than $24 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts, prompting Church to reflect on music as a "universal language" capable of changing lives, families and futures, concluding that "music is more powerful than you can ever comprehend."