51st Academy of Country Music Awards

In Brief:

Chris Stapleton wins BIG again!
Miranda Lambert  double victor

51st ACM Awards -PRESS ROOM  Montage 3April 2016
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WINNERS in the major categories for the 51st ACM Awards were:

• Entertainer of the Year (presenter Tom Hiddleston): Jason Aldean
• Male Vocalist of the Year (presenter Nancy O'Dell): Chris Stapleton
• Female Vocalist of the Year (presenter Kiefer Sutherland): Miranda Lambert
• Vocal Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line
• Vocal Group of the Year (Presenters Darius Rucker and Martina McBride): Little Big Town
• New Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
• New Female Vocalist of the Year: Kelsea Ballerini
• New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year: Old Dominion
• Album of the Year (Presenter Garth Brooks): Traveller – Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton; Record Label: Mercury Nashville
• Single Record of the Year (Presented by Jake Owen And Miss America Betty Cantrell): "Die A Happy Man" – Thomas Rhett; Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure; Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
• Song of the Year (Presenters Jana Kramer and Von Miller): “Nobody To Blame”– (Writers) Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman; Record Label: Mercury Nashville
• Video of the Year: "Mr. Misunderstood" – Eric Church; Directors: Reid Long, John Peets; Producer: Megan Smith
• Vocal Event of the Year: "Smokin’ And Drinkin’" – Miranda Lambert featuring Little Big Town; Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf; Record Label: RCA Nashville

51st Academy of Country Music Awards Report

Nominations

The nominations were first announced for the 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards on Feb 1, 2016: Country Music’s Party of the Year®, honoring country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent. Some of the nominations were shared live on CBS This Morning by Dierks Bentley, and the rest were announced on ETOnline.com.

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton led with five nominations

For Eric Church it marked the second time in six months the EMI Records Nashville recording artist had taken the leading nominations total at a major awards after earning five for the 2015 CMA Awards in November. Church was up for Album of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood, Male Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year for his surprise album’s title track and Musical Event of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban. Church also snagged his first nomination for the Academy of Country Music’s prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award, given to the all-around performer who also best represents the genre in areas such as fan engagement and philanthropy. He has now earned Album of the Year nominations in consecutive years after The Outsiders received a nod in 2015. His album CHIEF won the award in 2013.

Chris Stapleton’s banner year continued. A winner of three Country Music Association Awards, he landed four Grammy nominations and now shares the spotlight with Eric Church, with each artist earning five Academy of Country Music Awards nominations.

Cam, Chris Young and Little Big Town each received four nominations, with an additional nod for LBT group member Karen Fairchild (nomination for Vocal Event of the Year for “Home Alone Tonight” with Luke Bryan) which puts her in the company of Church and Stapleton on the leaderboard.

Cam, a first-time ACM Awards nominee, four nominations were: New Female Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year for “Burning House," and was twice nominated as both artist and producer in the Single Record of the Year category for “Burning House.”

Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett each received three nominations. First-time ACM Awards nominee, Chris Janson three nominations, included: New Male Vocalist of the Year, and was twice nominated as both artist and producer in the Single Record of the Year category for “Buy Me A Boat.” Reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert earned three nominations, including her fifth nomination for Entertainer of the Year and 10th consecutive nod for Female Vocalist of the Year. Additionally, she was nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for “Smokin’ And Drinkin’” featuring Little Big Town.

Hosted by Dierks Bentley (who succeeded Blake Shelton in the role) and reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan (co-host for the fourth time), the ACM Awards were produced for television by Dick Clark productions and broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Both Bryan and Bentley scored two nominations this year.

Of Note: In one procedural change, nominees and winners in the Entertainer of the Year and three Newcomer categories (New Male Vocalist, New Female Vocalist and new Vocal Duo or Group) reverted to being chosen exclusively by the ACM’s professional membership after years of incorporating fan votes.

As the final round of balloting opened Feb. 29 for the 51st annual Academy of Country Music Awards, voting members of the ACM carried an extra bit of power in the process.

After an eight-year experiment intended to improve consumer engagement — and Nielsen ratings — the ACM abandoned fan-voting

categories, thanks to the cost of participation and several rifts that had developed among artists.

The program was controversial from the start. Kenny Chesney, after winning the first fan vote for entertainer in 2008, criticized the process backstage, complaining that instead of acknowledging artists’ hard work, the vote had devolved into a marketing contest that rewarded people for “seeing how hard you can push people’s buttons on the Internet.”

51st Academy of Country Music Awards WINNERS

EARLY WINNERS

On 23rd March 2016 Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Stapleton, and Old Dominion were early winners of the Academy Of Country Music (ACM)'s New Artist awards.  Ballerini was named New Female Artist of the Year while Stapleton was named New Male Artist of the Year. Old Dominion took home the trophy for New Duo/Group of the Year. Kelsea was also nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, as well.

The ACM Awards didn’t air until Sunday (April 3), but several awards have already been announced. In a press release issued on Tuesday (March 29, 2016), Glen Campbell was acknowledged as a recipient of the Career Achievement Award. According to the Academy of Country Music, the Career Achievement Award honors artists who have “advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music through their endeavors in the entertainment industry in multiple areas during the preceding calendar year.”

Last year, Campbell won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song for “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” and was also nominated for Best Original Song at the 2015 Academy Awards. The iconic song was featured in a 2014 documentary on his life, also titled I’m Not Gonna Miss You, which followed Campbell’s farewell tour and struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Campbell’s wife recently revealed that the country legend had lost his ability to speak.

Carrie Underwood was announced March 29 as the inaugural recipient of the ACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber Award, recognizing humanitarian efforts.

Little Big Town will claim the Crystal Milestone Award in honor of “Girl Crush,” which spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs after getting bogged down initially in a perceived controversy over its lyrics.

Other winners who will receive tribute at the ACM Honors include:

Jeff Walker — Jim Reeves International Award

Keith Urban — Mae Boren Axton Award for Dedication to The ACM

Eddie Rabbitt, Jimmy Webb — Poet’s Award

Michael Rhodes — Bass Player of the Year

Shannon Forrest — Drummer of The Year

Derek Wells — Guitar Player of the Year

Jim “Moose” Brown — Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year

Danny Rader — Specialty Instrument(S) Player of the Year

Paul Franklin — Steel Guitar Player of the Year

Justin Niebank — Audio Engineer of the Year

Dave Cobb — Producer of the Year

Ross Copperman — Songwriter of the Year

Webster Public Relations were thrilled to announce several clients as Country Music Hall Of Fame® Inductees and recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the 10th Annual ACM Honors™ this fall. The Country Music Association and Country Music Hall Of Fame® announced Charlie Daniels and Randy Travis as 2016 inductees during a ceremony (March 29) Tuesday. The Academy of Country Music also announced Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, and The Statler Brothers will be honored with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the 10th Annual ACM Honors™, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-

camera category winners from the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards. The event will take place in the fall at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.  Watch the 35-minute Announcement Ceremony >> YouTube

MAIN WINNERS

• After a year’s hiatus in Dallas to celebrate its 50th golden anniversary, the Academy of Country Music Awards returned to Las Vegas Sunday night April 3, 2016.
• Reigning Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan was back as co-host, with Dierks Bentley filling the spot vacated by five-time master of ceremonies Blake Shelton, who took the stage to perform.
• Luke and Dierks multi-tasked singing as well, with Dierks looking to lead a charge of memorable collaborations by teaming up with New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty, who’s featured on his forthcoming album BLACK.
• Nick Jonas returns to the ACMs for the second year in a row, this time to duet with New Female Artist winner Kelsea Ballerini.
• Dolly Parton traded lines of her iconic songs “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors” with Katy Perry.
• Miranda Lambert looked for some “Tush” with its creator, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, joined by Keith Urban on guitar.
• Keith is one of roughly a half-dozen artists who debuted new material, introducing his new single “Wasted Time.”
• Carrie Underwood was set to ring “Church Bells,” while Charles Kelley delivered the Chris Stapleton-penned “Lonely Girl.”
• The ACMs cleared a closing slot for the New Male Vocalist winner and most-nominated 2016 artist with the bar set high after Stapleton’s mighty triumph at the CMA Awards with Justin Timberlake.
• New Duo/Group winner Old Dominion were guaranteed a spot as well.

Presenters: When it comes to handing out trophies, actors Tom Hiddleston and Kiefer Sutherland led the way, with Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell and Maddie & Tae taking a turn with the teleprompter as well.

51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards: WINNERS

51st ACM Awards WINNERS Montage 3 April 2016
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Jason Aldean took home the trophy for Entertainer of the Year at the 2016 ACM Awards Sunday night (April 3). It marked his 8th ACM award three of which were for Male Vocalist. It was his first ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year beating out Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks, Eric Church and Miranda Lambert and the second time he had been nominated for Entertainer having lost out to Luke Bryan last year. Aldean had also won Vocal Event of the Year & Single Record of the Year for "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson and Top New Male Vocalist (2005)

The prestigious Entertainer award was presented to him by Tom Hiddleston, who plays Hank Williams in the upcoming biopic I Saw the Light. Aldean was genuinely honored to receive the biggest award of the night, calling the ceremony “one of the best nights of my professional career.” 

He thanked his family, label and several others before signing off with a sincere moment of gratitude toward the country community.

“I was just starting to think that this one just wasn’t in the cards for me, but I’ll tell you what, I’ve got a lot of people to thank,” a surprised Aldean said from stage. “Broken Bow Records, Benny Brown, my producer, Michael Knox … my wife. I love you, baby — before I thank anybody else, you, and my two babies at home. He added: “I may be rough around the edges a little bit, but I love this business, I love the people in it, and I love the fans that support it,” Aldean declared. “Thank you very much. I appreciate it.”

Aldean performed his latest single “Lights Come On” earlier in the evening, the lead-off track to his forthcoming seventh studio album, set to release this summer.

Chris Stapleton was the big winner at the 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday night. He dominated at the CMAs in November 2015, picked up a couple of Grammys in February, and won big at the 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards too. Country’s newest legend in the making took home both New Male Vocalist and Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2016 ACM Awards, beating out several well-known vets in the business for the coveted honor. He thanked a series of people he hadn’t before, including “some folks that brought me to town” and his current publishers.

Chris Stapleton 51st ACM Awards
SONG of the Year 3 April 2016

He also picked up Album of the Year (Artist and Producer) with TRAVELLER and Song of the Year (Artist and Producer; awarded to Songwriter/Publisher(s)/Artist) with "Nobody to Blame". 
He thus won six trophies and tied the record for most ACM Awards won in a single year. Only Garth Brooks and Faith Hill have reached this pinnacle before.

The critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter was humbled and shocked as he won the most awards of the night.

"You got to be kidding me. I thought for sure we were going to be girl-crushed on this one," after he won Song of The Year for "Nobody to Blame" and beating Little Big Town's mega-hit "Girl Crush."

Stapleton’s haul was so predictable that co-hosts Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley devoted part of their monologue to a running gag about Stapleton’s meteoric career rise.

“Everyone in Nashville,” deadpanned Bryan, “is trying to take credit for his success.” Indeed, several artists seated in the audience — equipped with microphones for the stunt — stood up to lay claim to being instrumental in his career: Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Charles Kelley and Carrie Underwood. Underwood, who wasn’t born until 1983, produced a Stapleton T-shirt she claimed to have purchased in 1978.

“So I’ve basically been a walking billboard for him for, like, forever,” she quipped (Twitter Post).

Miranda Lambert was one of the double victors. She took home Female Vocalist (for the seventh consecutive year) and Vocal Event of the Year, for her "Smokin' and Drinkin'" collaboration with Vocal Group of the Year winners, Little Big Town. Miranda has now won 25 ACM Awards. Lambert also has a record among women in ACM history. She became the first person to win the Female trophy seven times in succession. The victory tied her with Reba McEntire as the leader in the category, though McEntire’s seven titles were spread across 11 years.

Little Big Town won the Vocal Group of the Year award for the second year in a row, and third time overall and 7th ACM award. They also won Vocal Event of the Year for “Smokin’ And Drinkin’” with Miranda Lambert.

Thomas Rhett won Single Record of the Year for “Die A Happy Man”. This was Rhett’s first-ever ACM award win.  

.@ThomasRhett's wife, Lauren, is one lucky lady! What a GREAT song. #DieAHappyMan #ACMs (📷: @GettyEntertainment) pic.twitter.com/Y9A5gUD1Pv

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) 4 April 2016

Eric Church won Video of the Year for “Mr. Misunderstood” this marked his 5th ACM Award having previously won Jim Reeves International Award (2014), Album of the Year (2012), Vocal Event of the Year (2012) and New Solo Vocalist of the Year (2012).

Eric was also surprised with the news that he had won. Directed by Reid Long and Church’s manager John Peets, who made his directorial debut with the project, the “Mr. Misunderstood” video further underscored the universal themes of youthful alienation and isolation by casting a young man named McKinley as a high school loner who ends up leading the band by the end of the clip. “It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it all,” said Peets. “It’s crazy. We did this record, we did it all kind of secret and decided to make our video really quick. . .”

“It’s the cheapest video ever that ever won Video of the Year, I’ll tell you,” Church added. “It’s just us!”

Watch the >> video first published on Nov 4, 2015 it has received 6,08 million views to date.

 

Kelsea Ballerini was previously awarded New Female Vocalist of the Year, and performed, wearing a custom-made royal blue Hayley Paige playsuit, an energetic medley of her new single “Peter Pan” and her breakout number-one hit “Love Me Like You Mean It”, with Nick Jonas. - Kelsea Ballerini Press:

Kelsea talking about the coolest thing about country radio! #ACMs pic.twitter.com/tn6NnxLWmZ

— KB Updates (@KelseaOnTour) 4 April 2016

Midway through the unlikely collaboration, she was joined by Jonas on guitar (!), who, after he finished shredding, eventually chimed in with background vocals for the last chorus.

 “I thought I was going to marry him when I was 13 years old,” Kelsea admitted to press ahead of performing with Nick Jonas during the show. “So, it’s very casual that I’m on stage with him.”

The late Joey Feek was remembered at Sunday's ACM Awards.

The singer, from duo Joey and Rory, died in March after a battle with cervical cancer.

Joey and Rory did not receive the honor for "Best Duo of the Year," although they were nominated. The award went to Florida Georgia Line.

Joey Feek  51st ACM Awards
"Remembered" 3 April 2016

ACM presenters still recognized Joey her during the award ceremony.

"A few weeks ago, we lost a member of our country music family with the passing of Joey Feek," presenters Martina McBride and Darius Rucker said. "Joey was more than a wonderful singer and an ACM winning artist, along with her husband Rory. She was a beloved mom, daughter and friend. Of all the different ways we could honor Joey, we think that what would mean the most to Joey would be, just one more time, for all of us fans and all of us who loved her to just give her a big round of applause."  Joey's husband, Rory Feek, did not attend the awards

The Grand Ole Opry tweeted:  Standing ovation for Joey Feek.

Florida Georgia Line Receive RIAA Diamond Award For 'Cruise'

FGL's Tyler Hubbard & Brian Kelley Republic Nashville duo Florida Georgia Line were recognized as the first and only Country act in RIAA GOLD and PLATINUM history to earn a DIAMOND Award for "Cruise" at 10X Multi-PLATINUM. The Diamond Award honors U.S. sales of ten million or more copies of an album or single. The duo was presented with the award at their "Anything Goes" #1 party at Las Vegas' Skyfall Lounge on Friday, April 1st, just before they were presented the Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Duo Of The Year (The 2016 ACM Awards decided to hand out some big awards early this year). The award marked the duo’s third consecutive ACM win in the Vocal Duo of the Year category, an honor they beat out Joey + Rory, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay and Maddie & Tae to take home this year.

Florida Georgia Line have now bagged 6 ACM Awards out of 13 nominations They previously also won Vocal Event of the Year (2014) with "This Is How We Roll", New Artist of the Year (2012) and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year (2012)

The duo's album, "Anything Goes," is also RIAA PLATINUM certified, in addition to their first album, "Here's To The Good Times," which is 2X Multi-PLATINUM. "We are blown away and couldn't be more honored by these milestone moments," said FGL's Brian Kelley.

51st Academy Of Country Music Awards Nominees & Winners

Entertainer of The Year:  Jason Aldean ** Winner **, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist of The Year: Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Chris Stapleton ** Winner **

Female Vocalist of The Year: Kelsea Ballerini, Jana Kramer, Miranda Lambert ** Winner **, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood

Vocal Duo of The Year: Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line ** Winner **, Joey + Rory, Maddie & Tae

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Eli Young Band, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band

New Male Vocalist of The Year:  Brett Eldredge, Chris Janson, Thomas Rhett, Chase Rice, Chris Stapleton ** Winner **

New Female Vocalist of The Year: Kelsea Ballerini ** Winner **, Cam, Mickey Guyton, RaeLynn

New Vocal Duo or Group Of The Year:

A Thousand Horses, Brothers Osborne, Maddie & Tae, Old Dominion ** Winner **, Parmalee

Album of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

I’M COMIN’ OVER – Chris Young Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young Record Label: RCA Records

MONTEVALLO – Sam Hunt Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally Record Label: MCA Nashville

MR. MISUNDERSTOOD – Eric Church Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

TANGLED UP – Thomas Rhett Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Chris DeStefano, Joe London Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

TRAVELLER – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Record Label: Mercury Records ** Winner **

Single Record of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Burning House – Cam Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Camaron Ochs Record Labels: Arista Nashville, RCA Records, Kravenworks

Buy Me A Boat – Chris Janson Producers: Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure Record Label: The Valory Music Co. ** Winner **

Girl Crush – Little Big Town Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young Record Label: RCA Nashville

Take Your Time – Sam Hunt Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally Record Label: MCA Nashville

Video of The Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)

Biscuits – Kacey Musgraves Director: Mark Klasfeld Producer: Nicole Acacio

Burning House – Cam Director: Trey Fanjoy Producer: Trent Hardville

Girl Crush – Little Big Town Directors: Karla Welch, Matthew Welch Producer: Amanda Prunesti

Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church Directors: Reid Long, John Peets Producer: Megan Smith ** Winner **

Riser – Dierks Bentley Director: Wes Edwards Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

Vocal Event of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)

Hangover Tonight – Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton Producers: Gary Allan, Greg Droman Record Label: MCA Nashville

Home Alone Tonight – Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens Record Label: Capitol Nashville

Raise ‘Em Up – Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Nashville

Smokin’ And Drinkin’ – Miranda Lambert featuring Little Big Town Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf Record Label: RCA Nashville ** Winner **

Wild Child – Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville

Song of The Year [Tie]

“Burning House” (Cam); “Girl Crush” (Little Big Town); “Nobody to Blame” (Chris Stapleton) ** Winner **; “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban featuring Eric Church); “She Don’t Love You” (Eric Paslay)

Songwriter of The Year

Rodney Clawson, Ross Copperman ** Winner **, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

Songwriter of the Year nominees Clawson and McAnally are both familiar with the ACM Awards and earned their eighth and ninth nominations, respectively. McAnally previously won in 2013 for both Songwriter of the Year and Album of the Year for Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer, Different Park.

Ross Copperman had previously been nominated for Album of the Year and Single Record of the Year, in 2014. This was his first nomination in this category. The awards was announced Tuesday March 29th. Roanoke County native graduated from Glenvar High School and James Madison University. Copperman's work includes Luke Bryan's "Lose My Mind," and “Strip It Down”, Keith Urban's "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16," Brett Eldredge's "Lose My Mind" and "Beat of the Music," Billy Currington's "Don't It," A Thousand Horses' "Smoke," Kenny Chesney's "Pirate Flag," and more. He's also produced Dierk's Bentley's 2015 Grammy nominated album RISER. He also produced Dierks forthcoming eighth studio album MAKES THE WORLD GO BLACK.

At the BMI Country Awards on Nov 3, 2015  “Beat of the Music,” written by performer Brett Eldredge with Ross Copperman and Heather Morgan, won the coveted Song of the Year award. Ross was photographed with his heavily pregnant wife Katlin Copperman who later gave birth to baby Magnolia Jane

Ross worked as a pop/rock recording artist for Sony UK for a couple of years before heading to Nashville where he began work writing and producing country music. He's since become one of the most sought after songwriters in country music.

On new country radio singles Copperman co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s “Noise”, Jake Owen’s "American Country Love Song" and Brett Eldredge’s "Drunk On Your Love"

Radio Awards - These were presented during the annual Radio Winners Reception held the day prior to the ACM Awards telecast, on Saturday, April 2 in Las Vegas, NV.

Winners were as follows:

On-Air Personality Of The Year

National -- "THE BOBBY BONES SHOWS" (BOBBY BONES SHOW)

Major Market -- CHRIS CARR, MAVERICK, and KIA -- KEEY/MINNEAPOLIS

Large Market -- RANDY CARROLL and JAMIE MARTIN -- KAJA/SAN ANTONIO, TX

Medium Market -- THE DEX AND MO SHOW -- WUSY/CHATTANOOGA, TN

Small Market -- BILL BARRETT, TIM FOX, and TRACY BERRY -- KKNU/EUGENE, OR

Radio Station Of The Year

Major Market -- WYCD/DETROIT, MI

Large Market -- WLHK/INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Medium Market -- WUSY/CHATTANOOGA, TN

Small Market -- KTTS/SPRINGFIELD, MO

Source: acmcountry.com

51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards: PERFORMANCES

There were a host of familiar favorites on the show stage.

Southern hunks Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan got the shindig started with a performance of Luke's "Hunting, Fishing, and Loving Every Day" or at least, that's what was supposed to happen! Blake Shelton stole Dierk’s moment as he cut in on his opening duet with Luke.

Chris Young and Cassadee Pope relived their duet, “Think of You.” Cassadee sparkled on stage next to her duet partner Chris Young. 

Cassadee Pope [Rani Zakhem Fall 2014 Couture]

The drop-dead 26-year-old star wore a shimmering jaw dropping skin tight Rani Zakhem Fall 2014 Couture sequined halterneck jumpsuit and her singing partner took the stage together to sing their song to the packed audience.
After the Young/ Cassadee duet, the 30 year old "Buy Me a Boat" #1 singer Chris Janson (Image) introduced the Walmart Fight Hunger, Spark Change campaign and talked about his own struggle with hunger: "There was a time when I struggled with not knowing what tomorrow may bring," said the "Buy Me a Boat" singer-songwriter.

Eric Church performed his hit "Record Year" adding an interesting twist to the ACM proceedings. Midway the singer paid tribute by singing snippets of songs by late musicians Glenn Frey of the Eagles, Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots, Lemmy of Motorhead and David Bowie, before rounding out with "Record Year" again.

Co-host Dierks Bentley then performed his new radio single "Somewhere on the Beach".

Cam performed her breakthrough “Burning House,” while Thomas Rhett sang the biggest hit of his career, with 19 week #1 “Die a Happy Man.”

Little Big Town introduced Tim McGraw who offered up his current hit “Humble and Kind”. “I am so proud of my man! #ACMs #humbleandkind” Faith Hill wrote on her Twitter account, along with a photo of them smooching.

Jason Aldean sang "Lights Come On" (Image).

Dierks Bentley and Bryan introduced Old Dominion, who played "Snapback," before passing the spotlight on to Kenny Chesney, who sang his new single "Noise" (Image).

Brett Eldredge sang "Drunk on Your Love", Cole Swindell took the stage to sing his current #1 Hot Country Songs single "You Should Be Here" and Lady Antebellum front-man turned solo act Charles Kelley sang a soulful rendition of "Lonely Girl" with motown-esque backup singers.

Could you handle the Carrie sexiness?!

Yes, Carrie Underwood's second look of the night just might be the sexiest look to date from the superstar country crooner powerhouse. She performed her hit new single, “Church Bells,” and she looked unreal. She donned a sheer, metallic silver, one-sleeved Sanyae Demure dress with a mock neck and an asymmetrical hemline. 

Carrie Underwood backstage wearing Manuel Diaz

On top of her silver little mini, she donned a silver metal Manuel Diaz cage dress. She topped the entire look off with custom, strappy gladiator heels and was decked out in jewels from Graziela Gems and Marianna Harutunian. ABSOLUTE WOW! (Image - Image)

Carrie stormed the stage, at the 2016 ACM Awards with her harrowing new single "Church Bells," (written by songwriting heavy weights Zach Crowell, Brett James and Hillary Lindsey) a delicious revenge tale drawn from 2015's critically acclaimed STORYTELLER. Carrie rocked absolute fury and abandon as she stepped into the narrator role with. Borrowing a similar storyline to Gretchen Peters penned / Martina McBride's classic 1993 hit "Independence Day" (an abused woman taking back her life), the 33-year old Checotah, Oklahoma's new single brought the sonic and lyric elements into the modern era. Backstage Photo (Getty Image)

** 

Watch the performance at www.axs.com

Carrie rocked the drum solo: Tweet

All eyes were on the leggy lovely's toned thighs as she delivered the performance that was an audio-visual delight at the high-profile event! Read more + pics!: Daily Mail.co.uk

Billboard wrote: Carrie Underwood was not technically snubbed this year. The powerhouse female vocalist earned her 11th consecutive nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year. But, what does she have to do to earn more recognition for continuing her high quality of work? Her new album, STORYTELLER, earned her some of the best reviews of her career, and “Something In The Water” still stands as one of her most dominant performances. It’s time the industry paid her a little more attention. She has won 11 ACMs, with 3 Top New Female Vocalist wards (2006-2008) and a twice winner of Entertainer of the Year (2008-2009)

Of Note: CMT personality Katie Cook and SVP/Music Strategy and Talent Leslie Fram honored 12-time ACM Award winner Carrie Underwood with a plaque celebrating her outstanding number of top-ranking music videos on CMT. Underwood’s recent single, “Heartbeat,” hit #1 on the CMT Hot 20 Countdown on Saturday (April 2, 2016), making it her 23rd video at the top spot. (Image) 

Sam Hunt sat at a white baby grand piano and dooned in a matching outfit sang "Make You Miss Me"

Keith Urban sang "Wasted Time" and played his banjo amidst flames that surrounded the stage; the flames got increasingly bigger, appearing to engulf Urban and his band.

Little Big Town played a jazzy rendition of "Stay All Night" with New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty, who stopped the show with an impressive solo.

Miranda Lambert, Billy Gibbons and Keith Urban made a powerful trio on stage as they performed ZZ Top's "Tush"; Gibbons showed that time hasn't changed much as he played an epic guitar solo that he passed back and forth with Urban.

F.Y.I - Miranda wore an Alice + Olivia bodysuit, AYR jeans, Shay Jewels earrings, a custom belt and scarf, and Zara boots.

BIG MOMENT 
(Katy Perry and living legend of country Dolly Parton join forces!)

Dolly Parton got a whopping 11 minutes of airtime during the Academy of Country Music Awards as her made-for-TV movie Coat of Many Colors received the Tex Ritter Award and she served up a medley of hits with pop singer Katy Perry.

Kacey Musgraves entered the ACM stage to introduce her pal Katy Perry, who presented the Tex Ritter Award to Dolly Parton to recognize the success of the NBC TV movie "Coat of Many Colors."

Perry joked that she had something in common with Parton: 

"We're both known for some of the biggest," she paused, "songs in country music."

When Parton accepted her award, she joked that she had to wear her multi-colored jacket in order to catch up with the "long-legged" female stars in the show, and she gave a shout-out to the actress Alyvia Lind, who played a young Parton in "Coat of Many Colors."

Then Perry and Parton took the stage together (Image) in coordinating, blindingly bright outfits. Perry fidgeted with her earpiece and finally threw it into the audience before the two broke out into "Jolene."

Perry and Parton closed out their performance with "Nine to Five," and when they wrapped, Perry got on her knees to bow down to Parton (Image).

Florida Georgia Line took to the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena performing "Confession" against a spooky backdrop of misty dark woods.

Chris Stapleton closed out the Academy of Country Music Awards with a performance of "Fire Away" off his acclaimed album Traveller.  The breakout country star and his wife Morgane blended their made-for-each voices in an incendiary performance of the soulful song, a track from his CMA Album of the Year-winning debut album, TRAVELLER.

Read More: Chris Stapleton Tears Up 'Fire Away' at 2016 ACM Awards |

Billboard ranked all the performances from worst to best. At #23 was Luke Bryan – “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” to #1 Cam with “Burning House”

Watch clips of all the performances at Billboard.com

TV Ratings:

Ratings for Sunday's April 3rd 2016 “51st ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS,” which aired live on CBS-TV from the MGM GRAND in LAS VEGAS, showed a 2.3 rating with a 3 share among adults aged 18-49 and tallied 11.18 million viewers, according to ZAP2IT. Those figures were a drop from last year’s ACM telecast, which posted a 3.6 rating and drew more than 15 million viewers.

About the Academy of Country Music Awards: The 51ST Academy of Country Music Awards is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show was produced for television by Dick Clark productions and broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco were executive producers. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. See more at: acmcountry.com

SOURCES

CBS News

See more at: www.acmcountry.com/news

acmcountry.com

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