(Photo: RollingStone.com/GettyImages)
Some of the biggest names in country music made their way to Las Vegas Sunday night (April 3rd) for the 51st annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The evening featured big name performances, a monumental duet, tributes, a few jokes and a new face standing beside Luke Bryan as co-host.
Blake Shelton passed the torch to Dierks Bentley, who hosted the show with Bryan for the very first time. The night kicked off with Bryan prepping Dierks for his ACM hosting debut. However, when Luke announced Bentley in the middle of his opening performance of “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” Shelton pulled a belated April Fools prank on the crowd and hit the stage instead.
Blake then took the stage himself for a monochromatic — with a splash of color, performance of “Came Here To Forget.” Following the performance, Blake introduced a quickly changed Luke and a suited Bentley.
Chris Stapleton and Jason Aldean were the night’s big winners. Stapleton took home four nods for Male Vocalist of the Year, New Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for his record, Traveller and Song of the Year for “Nobody To Blame.” Aldean on the other hand walked away with Entertainer of the Year.
Dolly Parton was honored with the Tex Ritter Award for her television movie, Coat of Many Colors and performed an unforgettable medley of hits with Katy Perry.
Garth Brooks also gave away the award for Album of the Year from his show live in Ottawa, Canada.
WINNERS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR – Jason Aldean
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR – Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR – Miranda Lambert
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR – Florida Georgia Line
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR – 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 – Traveller by Chris Stapleton
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR – “Die A Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett
SONG OF THE YEAR – “Nobody To Blame” by Chris Stapleton
VIDEO OF THE YEAR – “Mr. Misunderstood” by Eric Church
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR – “Smokin’ And Drinkin'” by Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town