Blake Shelton Brought the ACM Awards to a Powerful Close With ‘The Gambler’ [Watch]

Blake Shelton helped deliver the 2026 ACM Awards to an emotional shut with a efficiency that had the complete enviornment singing alongside.

As the night time wrapped up in Las Vegas, Shelton took the stage to carry out Kenny Rogers‘ traditional “The Gambler” in honor of legendary songwriter Don Schlitzwho died in April at the age of 73 following a sudden sickness.

By the ultimate refrain, it had develop into one among the night time’s most memorable moments.

Blake Honors Don Schlitz

Shelton carried out the iconic hit as a tribute to Schlitz, who wrote “The Gambler” earlier than it turned one among Kenny Rogers’ signature songs.

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Dressed for the second, Shelton delivered a model of the tune that shortly had each followers and fellow artists on their toes singing alongside.

Released in 1978, “The Gambler” turned a huge crossover hit for Rogers, topping the nation charts whereas additionally reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A Full-Circle Moment for Blake Shelton

The efficiency carried further that means for Shelton, who beforehand recorded his personal model of “The Gambler” in 2006 whereas working with legendary producer Bobby Braddock.

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Leading up to the ACM Awards, Shelton additionally launched a new cowl of the tune solely via Amazon Music forward of the televised tribute.

Remembering Don Schlitz’s Legacy

Beyond “The Gambler,” Schlitz helped form nation music historical past with a lengthy checklist of iconic hits.

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The Hall of Fame songwriter wrote 16 No. 1 nation songs all through his profession, together with Randy Travis‘ “Forever and Ever, Amen” and Keith Whitley‘s “When You Say Nothing at All.”

Closing the ACM Awards on a High Note

Shelton, who’s presently in the center of his Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, helped ship the ACM Awards out on an emotional and celebratory be aware.

For a jiffy inside the enviornment, it felt like nearly everybody knew when to maintain ’em — and when to sing alongside.