By Vernell Hackett
LAS VEGAS, April 1 (Reuters) – The Academy of Country Music
Awards kicked off on Sunday with Carrie Underwood singing her
new song, the rocking “Good Girl,” and co-host Blake Shelton
declaring “this is the party of the year” for country music.
Hosted by Shelton and Reba McEntire, the awards program
annually is among the biggest events in country music and
numerous stars from Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney to Martina
McBride, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum are on hand.
Chesney comes into the show with a leading nine nominations
followed by Aldean with six and Lady Antebellum with five.
Chesney is a favorite to take home his fifth entertainer of
the year award, but he faces the likes of Swift, who at age 22
has already won that award twice, and is coming off a recent
Grammy victory for best country song with “Mean.”
Both Chesney and Swift face stiff competition from popular
Aldean and Blake Shelton, who has seen his star rise this past
year as a judge on highly-rated TV show “The Voice.” Rounding
out the category is veteran Brad Paisley.
The show started with Shelton and McEntire trading barbs
with each other. She chided him about his strong year crossing
over into mainstream TV stardom, and he teasing her about her
veteran status in country music.
Along with Underwood’s song at the top of the show, early
performances included Chris Young singing “Save Water, Drink
Beer,” and the Zac Brown Band and The Band Perry both belting
out tunes for a packed house at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Among key awards later in the evening, Paisley is a
contender to take home his sixth male vocalist award, a trophy
he’s held in his hands since 2006. Also nominated in that
category are Chesney, Aldean, Shelton and former “Nashville
Star” TV singing contest winner Chris Young.
Swift, McBride and Miranda Lambert all will vie for best
female vocalist, squaring off against Sara Evans and Carrie
Underwood. Lady Antebellum feature prominently in the race for
top vocal group against The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Rascal
Flatts and Zac Brown Band.
In keeping with Academy of Country Music (ACM) tradition,
presenters at Sunday night’s show come from a wide-ranging
collection of Hollywood entertainers and recording artists.
Among those expected to join the country stars are Ashton
Kutcher and Marc Anthony, actor Liam Hemsworth, rockers Kiss and
TV host Nancy O’Dell.
Rascal Flatts will join forces with
actor/comedian-turned-bluegrass star Steve Martin on their new
single, “Banjo,” and Toby Keith is set to perform his runaway
hit “Red Solo Cup.”
Before Sunday’s show, one award already had been handed out.
Thompson Square was given the vocal duo of the year trophy on
Saturday at the ACM “Salute to the Military” concert.
(Reporting by Vernell Hackett; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
