Before the ACM Honors ceremony kicked off in Nashville on Aug. 21, a bevy of country stars walked the red blue carpet outside the Ryman Auditorium, including Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Chris Young, Midland, Maddie & Tae, Chris Janson, Martina McBride and more. In addition, Tony Orlando made a surprise appearance to accept the Casino of the Year Award on behalf of Mohegun Sun Arena.

The ACM Honors recognized the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 54th ACM Awards, including Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride (ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award), Gayle Holcomb (ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Miranda Lambert (ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award), Kacey Musgraves (ACM Jim Reeves International Award), Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver (ACM Poet’s Award) and A Star is Born (Tex Ritter Film Award).

Check out our photo gallery, courtesy of Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com.