There are so many amazing things about the country music world — the music, the fans, the festivals and the beloved couples who keep love alive year after year. After a tough year for celebrity relationships (36 couples have called it quits in 2018 already, most recently John Cena and Nikki Bella), it was amazing to see so many country couples hand-in-hand at the 2018 ACM Awards.
And they weren’t just hand-in-hand for red carpet pictures — lots of couples were displaying some serious PDA. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban got cozy for photographers. Newlyweds Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans shared a sweet kiss. Jake Owen showered his new girlfriend with affection. And Blake Shelton was all over Gwen Stefani all night (except when he performed, that is — but she was in full cooperation, loving every moment).
Here are the cutest couples at this year’s ACM Awards. Thank goodness we have some Hollywood couples keeping love alive.
Luke Bryan & Caroline Boyer
Luke Bryan took a break from filming American Idol to have a casual date night with his wife of 11 years, Caroline Boyer. The two have been one of Nashville's most beloved couples since Bryan exploded onto the country music scene in 2007 with his debut album "I'll Stay Me." Having met in 1998 at a college bar in Statesboro, Georgia, Bryan and Boyer now have two kids of their own — Thomas, 10 years old, and Tatum, 7 years old — and adopted his two nieces, Jordan and Kris, and his nephew, Til, after his sister died in 2007 and then his brother-in-law (the kids' father) died in 2014. While their marriage may seem glamorous and strong, Bryan says they're really just a normal couple.
"We get into it, we fight, we figure it out, but at the end of the day, we understand that there’s a lot of stuff that comes at us that makes us all crazy, too," he told The Boot in 2015. "So we just try to be normal and enjoy the ride of this."
Jake Owen & Erica Hartlein
After divorcing from his wife, Lacey Buchanan, in 2015, Jake Owen is lucky in love again. He made his red carpet debut with new girlfriend and interior designer Erica Hartlein at the 2018 ACM Awards, and I was green with envy. Owen is hot. It's unclear how long the two have been dating, although he told radio personality Bobby Bones that it's been a while during an interview, and while Owen has stayed pretty hush about the new lady in his life, rumor has it they met when he was remodeling his home.
“I admire the fact that she has let me be me and while I’m still trying to figure out how to be a better version of that person she likes,” Owen said. Well, they make a good-looking couple, don't they?
Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani
Of course Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani were in attendance at the 2018 ACM Awards (Shelton was performing after all), but of course, they were too cool to walk the red carpet. Regardless, the two showed lots of PDA during the night — Shelton's hand was basically attached to Stefani's leg at all times while sitting except when it was time to applaud winners and performers — and Stefani sang along and gave Shelton a standing ovation after he performed "I Lived It."
Jason Aldean & Brittany Kerr
After a controversial start to their relationship, Jason Aldean and lifestyle blogger Brittany Kerr appear to be going strong three years after getting married. While they typically keep their home life private, the two have built a loving family together with Aldean's two kids from his previous marriage and their 4-month-old son, Memphis.
Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
Ugh, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban always give us all the feels. The two met in 2005 at the G'Day USA gala and tied the knot in 2006. And while their relationship hasn't always been easygoing (Urban checked himself into rehab for alcohol addiction almost immediately after getting married), Kidman and Urban have found a love that will last a lifetime.
"Meeting her and getting married wasn't life-changing, it was life-beginning," Urban told CBS. "It was literally, like, 'OK, life starts… I have a wife who is just from another planet. She is so celestial. I say that I was born into her. That is the best way I can describe how I feel about her and us."
Cody Alan & Michael Trea Smith
CMT host Cody Alan brought his fiancé, Michael Trea Smith, to the 2018 ACM Awards. The two got engaged in September 2017 while on vacation in Jamaica. They originally met at a Carrie Underwood concert (so fitting) in 2015; their relationship became more serious in 2016 when Alan came out to People. No details have been announced about their wedding yet, but we're on the lookout.
Scotty McCreery & Gabi Dugal
Scotty McCreery broke so many hearts when he announced his engagement in September 2017 to longtime girlfriend Gabi Dugal, but things seem to be going well. While McCreery is busy on tour and promoting his new album, 'Seasons Change,' he's still helping Dugal plan their dream wedding.
"It’s a team effort so far," he explains to The Boot. "She’s a nurse, working at Duke Hospital. When she’s working, I’ll pick up a little bit, and when I’m out on the road, she’ll help out a little bit."
The two have already sent out save-the-dates and plan to get married in front of 230 guests.
Thomas Rhett & Lauren Akins
Thomas Rhett's wife, Lauren Akins, was there to show support for Rhett, who was in for a big night. He was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year. Sadly, he didn't walk away with any trophies, but he did join Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan and Maren Morris to pay tribute to the victims of the Route 91 Harvest festival mass shooting that took place in Las Vegas in October 2017.
Morgan Evans & Kelsea Ballerini
Newlyweds Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans are still feeling all the love, and they didn't hold back the PDA at their first award show as husband and wife. While Ballerini didn't take home any trophies (she was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year for "Legends"), she's still winning. Ever since tying the knot in Cabo San Lucas back in December 2017, Ballerini has be showering Evans with love on social media.
"Y'all I love this man so much. This photo was from our honeymoon when we were time banking knowing this year would be a lot of cheering each other on from two different places," Ballerini shared on Instagram. "I see him in a few days in the place where we met, hosted an awards show, and fell stupidly in love. Aussie is my second home now. He's my first. #kisssomebody."
Brittney Marie Cole, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard & Hayley Stommel
You should already know the wives of Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. They often attend events and award shows and even go on tour with their men.
“It’s awesome for them to come out here and support us and get to watch us every night and sing to them,” Kelley told People in 2015. “We’re singing to our fans and that includes them. It’s cool to have your best friend and your lover and your support group with you. It’s awesome.”
Alex Hopkins & Lauren Alaina
Alex Hopkins and Lauren Alaina start dating in 2012, and they've been #RelationshipGoals ever since. Before Alaina even won the award for New Female Vocalist of the Year, the two looked like they were having a blast together, laughing with each other the entire way down the red carpet.
Brantley Gilbert & Amber Cochran
Brantley Gilbert brought his wife of two years to the 2018 ACM Awards for a (probably) much-needed date night after welcoming their son, Barrett, in November 2017. While they've been pretty hush, both Gilbert and Cochran seem to be loving parenthood.
"I can tell you I have the most wonderful wife in the world," Gilbert said while taking over Nash Nights Live’s Facebook page back in 2017. "She has woken up with him every time. I try to do what I can but she’s got it under wraps. And, yes, fellas I am changing diapers. For all of ya’ll that are asking if I’m changing diapers yet, I’ve changed quite a few, actually. I usually take the night shift and that seems to be a pretty active time for his stuff. So yeah, I’ve changed quite a few.”
Chris Janson & Kelly Lynn
Self-proclaimed "[biggest] redneck you'll ever meet" Chris Jansen and his wife of seven years, Kelly Lynn, left their four kids at home to party the night away at the 2018 ACM Awards. And party they did — Janson even closed out the show by performing his song "Redneck Life."
Dierks Bentley & Cassidy Black
This longtime couple attended the 2018 ACM Awards arm in arm. If you don't know their love story, you should. Dierks Bentley first encountered Cassidy Black in Phoenix, Arizona, when they were both in eighth grade, but he didn't really know her until he dated her best friend. Clearly, the relationship with Black's best friend didn't work out because the two started dating off and on until they decided to get more serious in February 2005.
“I remember seeing her walk on the bus, and I just knew. I just knew, ‘I’ve gotta make this work. I don’t care how busy I am. This is the one I want to be with,’" he told Country Weekly in 2009.
Bentley and Black got married in December 2005 and have been fighting to keep their love alive ever since.
"I think marriage is something you do every day. It’s not something you do and it’s over with," Bentley told AZ Central. "Every day, you wake up and you’re constantly working. It’s like a garden you’re constantly tending to that requires your commitment. There’s a lot of ups and downs. But that’s what makes it great is the experience of going through it all together. That’s my take on it. It’s not the fairy tale look at it but it’s real."
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