The Academy of Country Music Awards returned to Las Vegas on Sunday, delivering surprises, first-time winners and exciting performances. Among those taking home their first awards: male vocalist Thomas Rhett, new female vocalist Maren Morris and vocal duo Brothers Osborne.
The 52nd annual edition of the show, featuring more than 20 performances from some of the biggest names in country music in front of 17,000 roaring fans at T-Mobile Arena, also had plenty of repeat winners, like Jason Aldean, Florida-Georgia Line and Little Big Town. Here are some thoughts about the night.
1. Rhett stole the show. Nominated for two of the event’s most prestigious awards, the 27-year-old told reporters he didn’t think he had “any chance” of beating out the likes of Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban and Chris Stapleton for Male Vocalist of the Year or Song of the Year.
But in magical fashion, Rhett earned the first presented award of the night, taking home Song of the Year for “Die a Happy Man.” Two hours later, the Nashville native unseated Stapleton as the academy’s top male vocalist.
“I looked at my wife and said, ‘Are you kidding me?” Rhett said after winning the second award. Rhett’s wife, Lauren Akins, also debuted her baby bump on Saturday’s ACM red carpet.
2. Aldean’s Entertainer of the Year repeat came as a surprise. A year after taking the ACM Awards’ most coveted title, Aldean faced stiff competition: Luke Bryan, Florida-Georgia Line, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood had all released studio albums over the past 12 months. But Aldean’s chart-topping “Lights Come On” (released last year,) along with more recent radio singles “A Little More Summertime” and “Any Ol’ Barstool” resonated with voters, giving him his seventh ACM Award over his 12-year career.
In a relatively awkward moment, show host Luke Bryan, who has also won the award twice, was tasked with signing off the broadcast just seconds after Aldean finished speaking for the award. Visibly disappointed, Bryan managed to smile as he told the crowd to “Enjoy Vegas!”
3. One of the night’s best performances featured UNLV band members. A jazzy rendition of Lady Antebellum’s new hit single “You Look Good” seemed destined for success when the popular trio took the stage and started singing, but a jazzy pack of horn-playing Rebels made the performance extra memorable.
More than 30 members of UNLV’s marching band bobbed their heads and swayed back and forth as Lady Ant’s Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood performed the show’s only non-country song. As “You Look Good” ended, the group seamlessly transitioned into the chorus of Bill Withers’ “Use Me Up,” resulting in a medley with a throwback feel.
4. T-Mobile Arena has made a strong impression on the country-music industry. Days before T-Mobile Arena celebrates its first birthday, the Academy of Country Music used the venue for its awards show after more than a decade at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Artists involved in the event seemed to walk away impressed.
“It’s rare that a venue this big sounds so good,” said Little Big Town singer Karen Fairchild, whose group won Vocal Group of the Year Saturday. “You can tell that was taken into consideration, and the people who built this knew what they were doing.”
“I think this arena symbolizes the growth of our industry,” longtime country singer and frequent Las Vegas performer Clay Walker said on the red carpet. “It’s tremendous.”
Filling 18,000 seats for a country music show is something that “is best done in Vegas,” said rising star Scotty McCreery. “It’s just a big party,” McCreery said.
