Academy of Country Music Awards Post Show Recap

Sunday, April 5 – Televised awards shows are always filled with glitz and glam and the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, broadcasted live from the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, was of course, no exception. The evening affair, hosted by the Queen of Country Music Reba McEntire, was filled with Las Vegas style magic (literally), color (or black and white) and country music (a lot of it).

The big winner of this year’s event was Carrie Underwood who will be taking home ACMs for Entertainer of the Year and Top Female Vocalist of the Year. Her Entertainer of the Year win, which was voted by fans, marks the first female win in this category since 2000. After her acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year, Underwood let out a gleeful squeal and spun in a circle. During the telecast, Underwood performed her hits, “All-American Girl” and “I Told You So”.

Two congratulations are in order for Brad Paisley who picked up Top Male Vocalist of the Year and who is expecting his second child with his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, any day now. Paisley accepted his award via telecast from his home to be with his wife in the event the baby was on its way.

Country music teen sensation Taylor Swift picked up the ACM for Album of the Year for Fearless and was magically brought to the stage by the famed magician, David Copperfield, prior to her performance of “You’re Not Sorry”. Swift was also awarded a Crystal Milestone Award for her album Fearless.

Rascal Flatts and Sugarland picked up Top Vocal Group and Top Vocal Duo (respectively). Rascal Flatts win puts them at seven to take the lead over Alabama for winner of the vocal group category.  Immediately following Sugarland’s performance of “What I Give” Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland was presented with a Crystal Milestone Award for her work as a song writer. Rascal Flatts performed their current chart topping single, “Here Comes Goodbye”.

Jamey Johnson and James Otto picked up the ACM for Song of the Year for their hit “In Color” and Johnson’s performance of the song was telecasted in black and white to coincide with the lyrics. Single of the Year was awarded to Trace Atkins for his hit, “You’re Gonna Miss This”. The very humble star remarked that he was glad to be an idiot because he didn’t think this single was going to be picked up or played by country radio. This award proved him wrong.

The Top New Female Vocalist Julianne Hough won the fan voted competition for Top New Artist over Jake Owen, Top New Male Vocalist and the Zac Brown Band, Top New Vocal Duo or Group.

A long-list of today’s country music stars including Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum took the stage to dazzle viewers with high-energy performances. While they were all excellent, notable acts include Heidi Newfield’s performance of her smash hit; “Johnny & June” where it quickly became a micro tribute to the legendary artists Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash. John Rich (Big & Rich) donned the stage with stool and guitar with the words “Made in America” painted on it and proceeded with a powerful, acoustic performance of his working-class anthem, “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” and Miley Cyrus, (Hannah Montana/teen daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus) twinkled with her new single, “The Climb” where she climbed a staircase to a cloud of sparks.

A very special ACM Award will be coming back to Chicago. In pre-event announcement, the Academy had awarded Chicago’s very own Joe’s Bar with the prestigious Nightclub of the Year Industry Award. 

For a full list of nominees and winners from the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, visit ACMcountry.com.