BREAKING: Cowboys Dak Prescott, Emmitt Smith Presenting Academy of Country Music Awards

Dallas Cowboys stars Dak Prescott and Emmitt Smith will be presenters at Thursday's Academy of Country Music Awards at The Star in Frisco.

FRISCO - Over the last four decades, Dak Prescott and Emmitt Smith have led the Dallas Cowboys to unprecedented popularity and amassed individual awards by throwing passes and scoring touchdowns. But on a unique night that will transform the team's headquarters into one of the biggest stages in music, the two stars of 'America's Team' will be performing on a different global stage ... presenting trophies to country music's best and brightest acts.

Prescott, the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, get their chance to shine on stage as they present the first award of Thursday's 58th Academy of Country Music Awards at the 12,000-seat Ford Center.

More than eight months in the making, it's the first time the Cowboys' state-of-the-art headquarters has hosted a major awards show. It's a victory for owner Jerry Jones' vision and his $5.1 billion investment in the 91-acre headquarters. Opened in 2016, Jones harbors hopes of some day bringing the NFL Draft and possibly the scouting combine to The Star.

"I can't wait for people like Jerry Jones to walk in and say, 'How did you put all of this in this venue?'" executive producer Raj Kapoor said in an exclusive interview with Amaranthus. "It's a massive show. We are at capacity with the most gear that has ever been in here. I think it's really impressive and beautiful." 

The Star is no stranger to legends who grace the halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However this week, the legends in Frisco are of a different variety. On a stage with 100 feet of flames, Dolly Parton, 18 dancers and a million pieces of confetti are taking over the practice stadium where Prescott practices his craft.

Creating country music's 'biggest party of the year' in a new venue comes with its challenges, but this is not Kapoor's first rodeo. He has produced some of the biggest shows in the world including the Academy Awards and the Grammy's. Leading up to the show, 90 trucks unloaded equipment and gear to pull off the feat.

Kapoor admits there will be some nods to Texas throughout the show. Fans can expect various lyric changes with the hope that people sing along with the big hits. Parton and Garth Brooks will host this year and are highly involved in the show's creation. The two entertainers share a genuine friendship and love for each other. Dolly is the reason that Garth agreed to co-host, according to Kapoor.

"[The entertainers] all support each other and you'll see that when someone wins an award and there is a standing ovation," Kapoor said. "They are genuinely happy for each other.  They tour with each other, write with each other, collaborate with each other ... that's unique."

The two-hour show is highlighted by live performances by Ed Sheeran, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jo Dee Messina, Jelly Roll, Cole Swindell, Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen and more. The finale will feature world premiere of Parton’s single from her upcoming rock album.

Newly announced collaborations include Carly Pearce and Trisha Yearwood; Ashley McBryde featuring Brandy Clark; Caylee Hammack, Pillbox Patti, and John Osborne; and Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina.

This year, the ACM Entertainer of the Year category will feature seven nominees: Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown and Morgan Wallen. With seven nominations, HARDY tops the list. Lainey Wilson, who won two ACMS in 2022, has six nominations this year.

Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running country music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in partnership with Prime Video. 

Again this year, Prime Video will lift all pay walls for the global audience to watch the action-packed show without commercials. The full rebroadcast will stream the next day for free on Amazon Freevee.