Old Dominion became the first-named winners of the 2021 ACM Awards show on Sunday night (April 18), bringing home the title of ACM Group of the Year for the fourth year in a row. Despite their winning streak, the group seemed genuinely surprised when they took the stage, telling the limited in-person audience that, especially after such an unusual year, they had no idea who was going to win the category.

Backstage in the virtual press room, the band elaborated on how surprised they were by their win.

"Obviously this year has been so weird. It kinda was up in the air for us," Old Dominion explained. "You feel so disconnected from the normal ways you measure your success, by being on the road, so it's kind of hard to gauge where we even are.

"We were nervous, to be honest," the band admits of their headspace headed into the show.

But there was one person who didn't have any nerves about whether or not Old Dominion would win the trophy, and that was the bandmates' friend and fellow nominee, Jaren Johnson of the Cadillac Three.

"We were sitting there, and Jaren from the Cadillac Three was like, 'Oh, you got this! You're my favorite band! You guys are the best band in country music!'" Old Dominion recount, cracking up. "We're like, 'I don't know, man, it could go either way.'

"It's like we're their idols or something!" Old D joke. "They definitely thought we were gonna win. I don't know who we thought were gonna win."

Old Dominion were the first winners announced live on Sunday night. Jimmie AllenGabby BarrettKane BrownCarly Pearce and Lee Brice were all announced as early winners before the ceremony.

The 2021 ACM Awards air live on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Sign up for the streaming service here.

See Pictures From the 2021 ACM Awards Red Carpet:

The best dressed on the 2021 ACM Awards red carpet brought color — lots of color — for an awards show that promises to be a celebration. Photos show stars like Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young, Kane Brown and more wearing the hottest and often most expensive designer outfits, or suits they designed themselves, in the case of Jimmie Allen.

Check out a full gallery of country music's hottest stars on the ACM Awards red carpet. Who do you think is best dressed and worst dressed?

The 2021 ACM Awards took place at the Bluebird Cafe, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sunday (April 18).

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