Monday, April 19, 2010

Today's Country Tidbits

Carrie Underwood made history last night, becoming the first woman to win two Entertainer of the Year awards from the Academy of Country Music, and the first to do it back to back. Brad Paisley made history - he's now the only person to have won the Top Male Vocalist ACM four times in a row, and it was the 16th win for Brooks & Dunn in the Vocal Duo of the Year category. A complete list of award winners is at the end of this post.

During Luke Bryan's acceptance speech for Top New Artist, he referenced his late brother, Chris, who died in a car accident. "People lose loved ones prematurely and these families don't necessarily have anything to help get over something like that that. So anytime something like this happens with my family, its just another thing we can say well life is good tonight. This makes things good."

Last night during the ACM show, Toby Keith and Dave Koz played "Cryin' for Me" and had many in the audience in tears. The performance was stunning, and is available on iTunes today. Purchase it and support "Stand Up to Cancer."

People.com has a photo gallery of country stars from the orange carpet at the ACMs.

And keeping with the tradition of asking stars random questions and sharing the answer in video, People.com asked Blake Shelton about any pre-award show rituals that he and Miranda Lambert have.

Tonight is the night that the Brooks & Dunn tribute special will tape in Las Vegas. The set list is supposed to be a secret, but this much has already leaked out:

* Keith Urban- Brand New Man
* Faith Hill- The Long Goodbye
* Rascal Flatts- It’s Getting Better All The Time
* George Strait- Boot Scootin’ Boogie
* Kenny Chesney- Your Going To Miss Me When I’m Gone
* Lady Antebellum- If You See Him, If You See Her
* Carrie Underwood - Neon Moon
* Jason Aldean – How Long Gone
* Jennifer Hudson – Believe (this has not yet been confirmed)
* Darius Rucker- Hard Working Man (this has not yet been confirmed)
* Sugarland- Red Dirt Road
* Reba McEntire Indian Summer
* Tim McGraw – That Ain’t No Way To Go
* Brad Paisley – My Next Broken Heart
* Taylor Swift- Ain’t Nothing About You

The show will air on May 23rd from 8-10pm eastern time on CBS.

James Otto announced his baby girl's name yesterday at the ACM awards. She'll be called Ava Katherine Otto.

Chris Young was hot on the slots in Vegas yesterday morning. He won a grand at about 5:30am, then a short while later, won another $500.

Jimmy Wayne's walk across America to highlight the need for safety nets for homeless teens hit New Mexico late Friday afternoon. He tweeted that he's only one state away from his destination, but he's taking a few days off the road to rest his blistered feet.

Joe Nichols is on the cover of this week's "Country Weekly" magazine, on sale today.

Here are the ACM Awards that were handed out yesterday in Las Vegas:

Entertainer of the Year
• Carrie Underwood

Top Male Vocalist of the Year
• Brad Paisley

Top Female Vocalist of the Year
• Miranda Lambert

Top Vocal Group of the Year
• Lady Antebellum

Top Vocal Duo of the Year
• Brooks & Dunn

TOP NEW ARTIST of the Year
• Luke Bryan

TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST of the Year
• Luke Bryan

TOP NEW VOCAL DUO of the Year
• Joey + Rory

TOP NEW VOCAL GROUP of the Year
• Gloriana

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]
• Revolution - Miranda Lambert
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]
• “Need You Now” - Lady Antebellum
Produced by: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley

Song of the Year [Awarded to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• “Need You Now” - Lady Antebellum
Composers: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott

Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] (Off Camera Award)
• “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Tameron Hedge Director: Chris Hicky

Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (Off Camera Award)
• “Hillbilly Bone” - Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins
Producer: Scott Hendricks