Owensboro native and Nashville-based artist Steve Bridgmon was named Entertainer of the Year at the 30th anniversary Inspirational Country Music Association Awards, held Monday at the Grand Ole Opry House.
The honor marks a milestone moment in Bridgmon’s career, recognizing his impact on the inspirational country genre and his connection with audiences over the past year.
“I was in disbelief when my name was called because this has been a goal of mine for probably a decade,” Bridgmon said. “Especially being nominated beside artists like Cody McCarver and Chris Golden, who are names that I have followed, even before I moved to Nashville.”
The night also featured Bridgmon in a prominent role as host of the official pre-show, which doubled as the finale of the television program “The Sound of Small Town America.” In that role, he introduced finalists from across the country competing for an opportunity to perform on one of country music’s most iconic stages.
Bridgmon’s rise in the genre has been steady since emerging in 2016. He was named ICMA New Artist of the Year in 2017 and later earned Male Vocalist of the Year honors in 2024.
His latest album, Broken, played a significant role in this year’s recognition. The project produced four No. 1 songs and resonated with listeners through its themes of faith and resilience.
“Being recognized for this at this point in my career means that maybe relevancy wasn’t what I was looking for, but the idea that I can be an influence on new artists, particularly younger artists,” Bridgmon said.
Bridgmon called the moment “beyond words” in the release, noting the significance of receiving the award on such a historic night at the Opry House.
Looking ahead, he is set to release his next studio album, Brave, in June 2026.
