Rock band KISS, U2 singer Bono, Carrie Underwood appeared on the Academy of Country Music Awards. Wearing a sexy black and magenta mini-dress, Underwood kicked off the night with “Good Girl,” mixing country with a blast of rock. The album of the year award went to Lambert for her 2011 release, “Four the Record.” Lambert looked surprised upon hearing her name. “Seriously?” Lambert said when she hit the stage. She added, “Every record is amazing, and I’m so thrilled. I will never take this trophy for granted. My albums are my babies. It’s what makes me wake up in the mornings.”
Taylor Swift won her second straight entertainer of the year trophy at the ACMs. She bested her all-male competitors, including four-time winner Kenny Chesney, along with Brad Paisley, Shelton and Aldean.
While accepting her award, Swift took a moment to say hello to Kevin McGuire and his family. McGuire, a high school football player and Swift fan who has cancer, was to have been Swift’s date to the awards, but he was hospitalized and couldn’t make it.
“He’s not here but I promised him I would give him a shoutout,” Swift said of the Somerdale, N.J., resident.
The members of KISS, sporting full makeup, almost looked out of place as the rockers announced Lady Antebellum as winners of vocal group of the year. The country trio thanked fans, family and country radio for the win.
The night’s single record of the year went to Aldean and Clarkson for their hit duet, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” The pair’s collaboration also won vocal event of the year.
Some awards were handed out before the televised show on Sunday night, including Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup,” which scored video of the year. His rowdy live version of the song got the ACM audience members out of their seats Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The awards ceremony was chock-full of performances by everyone from Lionel Richie and The Band Perry to Keith Urban and Sara Evans. Viewers didn’t see an award announcement until more than a half-hour into the show.
Actor-comedian-banjo player Steve Martin joined Rascal Flatts on “Banjo” after a brief tribute to country pioneer Earl Scruggs, who died last week.
Martina McBride and Train’s Pat Monahan teamed up to help New Jersey couple Christina Davidson and Frank Tucci get married on stage while they sang “Marry Me.”
Among the stars who strutted on the red carpet included The Band Perry, Eli Young Band and Underwood, who arrived in a long strapless nude-colored dress with silver details. She said she kept stepping on the hem of her own dress. Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland described her custom Max Azria dress color as “watermelon Jolly Rancher.”
Here is the complete winner list of ACM awards 2012:
Song of the Year: “Crazy Girl,” Eli Young Band
Album of the Year: Four the Record, Miranda Lambert
Vocal Event of the Year: “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum
Single Record of the Year: ”Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
New Artist of the Year: Scotty McCreery
Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton
Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift