American Country Awards 2013

American Country Awards 2013

A review: Winners, Performers, Video, Photos & Red Carpet ACA Fashion

American Country Awards 2013 Graphic
CLICK to ENLARGE

 The fourth annual American Country Awards took place from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 10 which aired on FOX TV.

Multi-platinum recording artist Trace Adkins and NASCAR race car driver superstar Danica Patrick co-hosted the two-hour live event ( >> see video preview).

Performers included:

Luke Bryan, Jewel, Dwight Yoakam. Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Justin Moore, Randy Houser and Thomas Rhett and Sheryl Crow sang with Darius Rucker.

Presenters included:

Trevor Brazile, Shada Brazile, Sara Evans, Billy Gibbons, Cowboy Troy, Big Smo, Dan King, Scotty McCreery, Matthew Morrison, Thompson Square, Chris Young, Carrie Keagan, Olivia Newton-John, Joe Nichols, Lauren Alaina, Clay Walker and Parmalee.

The two-hour live music spectacular offered country music fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists, not only in traditional categories, but also in a previously unrecognized area, touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.

Fan Voting for Artist of the Year continued right up till the Saturday, Dec. 7 at www.theacas.com

Going into the show, Taylor Swift led with eight nominations, and Florida Georgia Line and Blake Shelton each had seven nods.

Winners

Luke Bryan won his second consecutive Artist of the Year trophy. During his speech, Luke promised his young sons, Bo and Tate, that he and his wife Caroline would be back in Nashville Wednesday morning for their Christmas programs at school.

Additionally whilst accepting Male Artist of the Year and Touring Artist of the Year Luke also thanked the fans, his team on the road and Caroline, whom he thanked for putting up with him since Sunday in Sin City.

He now has a total of 12 wins since the ACAs started, the most of any artist - “From the bottom of our hearts, me and my family,” Luke said, “we are having so much damn fun bringing our show to your towns. We love it every night.”

Florida Georgia Line took home six trophies, the most awards during the telecast, including New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Cruise." The duo's Brian Kelley told the crowd, "It's been an amazing year for [my singing partner] Tyler and our families and our crew, our band, but what an amazing year it's been for country music most importantly. Thank you guys for letting us be a part of something this special." FGL later sang their current single, "Stay." Backstage after the show, Brian added that their six guitar trophies would look good in the new homes they bought after this blockbuster year.

Blake Shelton claimed another four wins. He accepted his Album of the Year trophy for BASED ON A TRUE STORY in a pre-taped speech from Los Angeles, where he's working on The Voice. He called his album “the impossible project”. He also picked up Single of the Year (Male),  GAC (Music Video of the Year) and Music Video of the Year (Male), all for his 2-week Billboard Country Airplay No.1 song “Sure Be Cool If You Did”

Lady Antebellum picked up the Group of the Year trophy alllowing Lady A's Hillary Scott to thank her baby daughter, Eisele, for the first time at an awards show.

Lady A has won seven American Country Awards, making them the most award-winning group. They also have won Vocal Group of the Year from the CMA and ACM awards show three consecutive times. Promoting their newly released radio single “Compass” they kicked off the night with a performanceof the song as they get ready for their new North American headlining tour “Take Me Downtown” which starts on Jan 10, 2014.

The Mandalay Bay resort is just one of the many Sin City hotels the members of Lady A have visited over the years. They've stayed at the MGM Grand, the Cosmopolitan and Caesars Palace while performing in Vegas, but the group's Charles Kelley prefers the Wynn over all the others. He said, "We stayed in a suite at the Wynn one time for a private show. I felt like, honestly, Tony Montana [from Scarface]. I was like, 'Say hello to my giant bathtub.'"

Taylor Swift was presented with the first-ever ACA Worldwide Artist honor (in honor of her global popularity), and gave her thanks via video direct from Australia. Native Australian Olivia Newton-John (photo) presented the award to this weeks birthday girl Miss Swift, accepting the trophy from her tour stop in Sydney. For Olivia, who is expected to sign a new Strip residency starting in March at the Flamingo in Donny & Marie’s [Osmond] Showroom when they are on hiatus, she made her official debut Las Vegas appearance as a presenter.

Carrie Underwood won in Music Video by a Female Artist for her song “Blown Away” . With her 11 previous awards, it makes her the female artist with the most ACA honors.

Brad Paisley accepted the first-ever Video Visionary Award for his imaginative music videos over the years after performing his latest single, "The Mona Lisa."

Jason Aldean was hoping to take a few of the ACA's guitar trophies but was left empty handed in 2013. He had previously won seven of them, and Jason said those wins only get sweeter with time. He explains, "I think at the end of the day when my career is done or maybe not as hot as it is right now, all these awards that you've kind of have collected over the years, I think as much as they mean now, I think will probably mean a hundred times more then, you know, when you go back and look back and reflect on your career and things like that."

Little Big Town, who also had quite a few nominations, lost out, though they were not able to attend the show due to a previous commitment. Watching the show from home in Nashville will be odd for the group since they attend country award shows all the time. LBT's Kimberly Schlapman told ABC News Radio, "We've never had to stay home. We've been going to award shows for 15 years.  You know, half the time we weren't nominated, so yeah, we don't know. We wish were gonna be there, but it'll be cool."

She adds, "Do you have to be present to win?"

Following is the list of categories and winners for the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS:

Artist of the Year: Luke Bryan

Artist of the Year (Male): Luke Bryan

Artist of the Year (Female): Miranda Lambert

Artist of the Year (Duo/Group): Lady Antebellum

Artist of the Year (Breakthrough Artist): Scotty McCreery

Artist of the Year (New Artist): Florida Georgia Line

Album of the Year: Blake Shelton, “Based On A True Story…”

Single of the Year: Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”

Single of the Year (Male): Blake Shelton, “Sure Be Cool If You Did”

Single of the Year (Female): Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”

Single of the Year (Duo/Group): Lady Antebellum, “Downtown”

Single of the Year (New Artist): Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”

Single of the Year (Breakthrough Artist): Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”

Single of the Year (Vocal Collaboration): Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and featuring Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”

Touring Artist of the Year: Luke Bryan

GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY (Music Video of the Year): Blake Shelton, “Sure Be Cool If You Did”

Music Video of the Year (Male): Blake Shelton, “Sure Be Cool If You Did”

Music Video of the Year (Female): Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”

Music Video of the Year (Group or Collaboration): Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and featuring Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”

Music Video of the Year (New Artist): Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”

Song of the Year: Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and featuring Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care” (Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)

Additionally, the following Most Played Radio Track Awards, determined by Mediabase, were announced during tonight’s telecast:

Most Played Radio Track: Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”

Most Played Radio Track (Male): Randy Houser, “How Country Feels”

Most Played Radio Track (Female): Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”

Most Played Radio Track (Group): The Band Perry, “Better Dig Two”

Most Played Radio Track (New Artist): Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”

Other Performances

• Jake Owen welcomed ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons for a collaboration on "Days of Gold."
• Kellie Pickler sang her new single, "Little Big Gypsy," and Randy Houser sang "How Country Feels," which was named Radio Track of the Year by a Male Artist.
• Justin Moore got the crowd rocking with his #1 single, "Point at You."
• Darius Rucker teamed up with Sheryl Crow to sing "Wagon Wheel" after he sang his latest single, "Radio," and she delivered her new single, "Callin' Me When I'm Lonely." >> YouTube
• Thomas Rhett made his awards show debut singing his hit single, "It Goes Like This."
• LeAnn Rimes recognized Patsy Cline 50 years after her untimely death with a medley of the late singer's hits, including "Leavin' on Your Mind," "Crazy," "Sweet Dreams" and "Walkin' After Midnight"  >> YouTube
• This year's hosts, Trace Adkins and NASCAR star Danica Patrick, opened the show by getting pulled over in a small rental car by an Elvis Presley-impersonator cop. They kept the jokes rolling with both Trace and Danica dressing up like Vegas showgirls at one point in the night. Trace closed out the evening with a performance of "Little Drummer Boy."

Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck”, which won Song of the Year at November’s Country Music Assiociation (CMA) Awards, picked up Single of the Year (Breakthrough Artist)

Video

Fans award their top picks at the American Country Awards >> Recap  

2013 American Country Awards Red Carpet (EEntertainment), singers LeAnn Rimes, Florida Georgia Line, Kellie Pickler and more reflect on the past year's achievements. Plus, hear their holiday plans!  >> YouTube

Tweet

Brad Paisley @BradPaisley What happens in Vegas...is tweeted all over the world now. @DanicaPatrick pic.twitter.com/kBj1xoRDEa

Related Posts:

• Backstage Creations, specialists in award show gifts and custom backstage Celebrity Retreats, produced the “Celebrity Retreat at the American Country Awards”
• Taste Of Country : Five Things the American Country Awards Did Right in 2013

  ACA Awards 2013 Red Carpet  Fashion

Top: Ali Dee (Rockin B Clothing), Jessi Alexander (LBD), Kellie Pickler (Badgley Mischka), 

LeAnn Rimes (Reem Acra)

Bottom: Hillary Scott, Sara Evans (LBD) and Sheryl Crow (Juan Carlos Obando)

Ali Dee – The Ft. Worth Texas country singer, songwriter, guitarist, television host (CMT's Texas Women), and on-screen personality wore a Custom mini dress by Rockin B Clothing which had rock ‘n’ roll appeal. Her pale turquoise snap-up dress was detailed with eclectic panels of burnt orange and white. She finished off her look with a to-die-for side-pony and platform peep-toe pumps - Image She tweeted:Thank you so much Rockin B Clothing @mrsjessh for making this amaZing dress for me to wear on the red carpet tonight! #acas

Carrie Kegan – The TV personality sported a Alpana Neeraj futuristic textured asymmetrical hemline black mullet dress with a beaded green belt. She vamped it up with dramatic lashes and eyeliner and completed her look with a shimmery nude lip gloss. She had a sleek face-framing bob with a middle part with retro-inspired finger curls and deep side part. Her Hair was styled by Matthew Motherhead wityh styling from Niki Schwan and Quentin Owens - Image

Caroline Boyer – The stunning wife of singer Luke Bryan, again looked very glam on the red carpet in her stunning white and silver retro style Art Deco era-inspired gown that was so “Hollywood” in its own right - Image

Chelsea Bain – The Bigger Picture Group artist and Scottsdale, Arizona native went with a restrained midnight blue number.

Danica Patrick – Viva Las Vegas!: The ACA co-host who is best-known for her death-defying work as a fearless professional driver shocked fans by going from racing to racy as she took to the stage at the 2013 American Country Awards.

She showed off her impeccable figure in a plunging neckline, metallic Badgley Mischka skimpy sequin showgirl one-piece. She arrived on the red carpet in a Great Gatsby-inspired silver-and-gold dress.

The sexy style was like a modern day flapper dress. The low neckline was balanced out by the silhouette and the length, while a pair of metallic sandals finished off her ensemble. As the evening co-host it was slated she would show off a slew of different looks with more Badgley Mischka numbers.

When in Sin City: Showcasing her washboard abs and toned pins in all their glory, the sparkling monokini was cutaway at the middle and featured a fuchsia and tangerine bottom half that was cut eye-wateringly high - www.dailymail.co.uk - Image

Danica completed her showgirl look with white gloves and silver dancing shoes, while ensuring she was positively dripping in diamonds. The sexy sparkle was added too  thanks to several stunning bejeweled and feather-bedecked “Jubilee!” showgirls from Bally’s on the Vegas Strip. Laughed Trace (fourth time he’s hosted the fourth-annual awards): “I can’t wait to see if I have what it takes to keep up with a racing superstar.”

Danica then tickled the audience pink by switching traditional work ensembles with her co-host Trace, with him donning a racing suit and her opting for a white dress and stetson in the style of a country music star, read more  www.dailymail.co.uk

Top: Chelsea Bain, Lauren Alaina, Gilligan Stillwater

Bottom: Carrie Kegan (Alpana Neeraj), Caroline Boyer, Jewel (Jovani) &

  Kellie Pickler (Georges Chakra Couture) 

Gilligan Stillwater – The wife of ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons wore a gold sequinned and cream high-neck ivory gown. All eyes were on the embellished portions, about the shoulders and bodice as well as the hips, of the gown, as Gilligan pull her hair back in a sleek fashion. Hubby Billy sported a leather studded jacket - Image - Image

Hillary Scott – Lady Antebellum’s curveous leading lady sported a shimmery, low-cut long-sleeved floral gown in black and blue to show off her post-baby bod, which she carried with total confidence. She rocked with a huge Larger Than Life ‘Do with those glamorous waves. Her green eyes stood out with black liner and lots of blue eyeshadow to match her blue and black dress. Her skin looked fresh and clean with a pretty pink blush on her cheekbones. Her lips looked plump with a soft pink color. She also rocked a very dark blue nail polish on her fingertips! Image

Jewel – The singer and American Country Awards 2013 presenter went the short-and-sassy route, donning a Jovani black embellished bustier dress styled with silver Rupert Sanderson pumps and Jacob & Co jewels.Wavy tresses completed her look - Image

Jessi Alexander – Wow! The co-writer of Single of the Year (Breakthrough Artist) “I Drive Your Truck” looked fantastic wearing a short black laced number and patterned pantyhose. The one exception maybe was the giant necklace she accessorized with - Image.

Kellie Pickler took to the red carpet donning a gorgeous Badgley Mischka Spring 2014 mint-green gown enriched with silver fringed detailing, which she styled with a single silver cuff  - Fashion Pic - Fashion Pic 

For the performance of her hit single ‘Little Bit Gypsy’, 27-year-old Kelly changed into a fringed gown, this time wearing a dark-blue and silver sleeveless beaded V-neck dress featuring a tiered fringe skirt by Georges Chakra Couture and wore camel pumps. 

The tassel necklace was perhaps a little overkill with the fringe detailing on her dress. With the incredibly deep plunging V-neck it left little to the imagination, even revealed the contours of her tan line. 

The “Red High Heels” singer and “Dancing With The Stars” champ adorned her left wrist with a silver bangle as she wore freshly grown out golden locks in loose curls over her shoulders - Image

Lauren Alaina – The "Georgia Peaches" singer and season ten American Idol runner-up arrived wearing a form-fitting sparkly flowing crimson gown. She stopped by Fox 411 Country to promote the release of her new single "My Grown Up Christmas List" on December 10th >> See video

LeAnn Rimes -  She rocked a long-sleeved Reem Acra black-and-gold dress, which she styled with a gold clutch. Her hair do was by celebrity hairstylist Nathaniel Hawkins and makeup by celebrity artist Troy Surratt. - Fashion Pic - Image 

The dress was rather hypnotizing and later she changed for a brilliant mid-show tribute to Patsy Cline. “The taupe handbag wasn’t doing her any favors, either. The outfit screams feral, while the accessories shout nap “ read more: 2013 American Country Awards Worst Dressed Pictures (Country Weekly)

Pretty in pink: The 31-year-old looked gorgeous for the her emotional ACA performance (Image) in a pink gown that clung to her slim figure. It was no surprise that LeAnn moved herself with a close connection to Patsy. Not only has LeAnn’s singing voice been compared to Patsy’s, but her hit song Blue was intended for Patsy before she died in a 1963 plane crash. Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk

Lyndsey Highlander – The recording artist paired her one-shoulder gown with voluminous hair (AmeliaC and Co hair and makeup talents) - Image

Olivia Newton-John – The presenter hit the red carpet in a black gown and leather jacket. She rocked red shoes, red lips and red nails to complete the look.

Sara Evans – The "Slow Me Down" chanteuse arrived at the 2013 American Country Awards showing a lot of leg on the red carpet. Dark colors allowed the red highlights room to really pop. The oversized belt buckle brought some country charm to the look, which was otherwise very chic – Image Read more tasteofcountry.com

Shawna Thompson – The Thompson Square singer and ACA presenter showed sky high thigh as she sported a black gown which showed off her slim pins. Shawna pulled her signature dark locks back into a bun, giving all the attention to her asymmetrical sleeved gown. – Image

Sheryl Crow attended the American Country Awards as a performer at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada  wearing a vibrant Juan Carlos Obando draped-sleeve Resort 2012 gown in a hot-pink hue, which she styled with a beaded gold clutch and a selection of gold jewels. Like most at this event, she opted for big wavy locks and neutral makeup – Fashion Pic

Later she paired a white top with delicate leggings for her show performance.

Chris Young - Boldly paired a tuxedo jacket and jeans - Image

Scotty McCreery - Sported a blue and white checked shirt and black trousers - Image

Darius Rucker - Looked smart in a blue suit and grey waistcoat - Image

Photos

Red carpet - Co-Host Trace Adkins and Rhonda Forlaw  - Greg Bates - LoCash Cowboys 

Tyler Hubbard (R) and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line - Luke Bryan and wife Caroline Boyer - Justin Moore - Dustin Lynch - Joe Nichols - ACA 2013 red Carpet - Red Carpet Scene

Thomas Rhett and his gorgeous, gorgeous! partner Lauren Gregory - Image Unfortunately Thomas put a ring on her hand. Rhett married his longtime girlfriend, Lauren on Friday Oct. 12, 2012 just outside Nashville.

Rocking out: The audience were screaming and waving their hands in the air as Jake Owen and Billy Gibbons played together.

Bullseye: Rodeo star Trevor Brazile and his wife Shada got the chance to present during the evening

Chris Young and Jewel were amongst the presenters at the exciting awards show.

Olivia Newton John showed up to present to Taylor Swift but the young pop star wasn't there.

Luke Bryan posed proudly with his awards for for Artist Of The Year, Male Artist Of The Year, and Touring Artist Of The Year

Going glamorous: While many guests were clad in cowboy hats, Shawna and Kiefer Thompson of Thompson Square dressed to impress

Big winners: Brian Kelley (L) and Tyler Hubbard couldn't believe their luck when their band Florida Georgia Line won a whopping six awards.

Photos from Big Machine Label Group’s American Country Awards After-Party Sponsored By Crown Royal.

Producer Dee Jay Silver and HOT HOT guest model Jenna Straub arrive – Image.  The first country DJ to be signed to a major Nashville labe he performed live throughout the telecast putting his original twist some of this year’s biggest country hits and nominated songs. Listen to the Chris Young AW NAW remix. Silver also played tracks off his debut EP, Country Club.

Photo Gallerys : Country Weekly - zimbio.com

SOURCES: RCFA, Daily Mail, Getty Images,  www.theacas.com, www.facebook.com/AmericanCountryAwards