Country Goes Vegas: The ACM Awards
The three hour show last night was jammed with memorable performances and surprising duet partners.
Maybe it's because they hold the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas rather than Nashville, but last night's shindig included some rousing pop highlights in addition to country fare.
Carib songbird Rihanna sang her new single, 'California King Bed' with vocal assistance from Jennifer Nettles of Sugartown.
Legendary '70s troubadour James Taylor teamed with the Zac Brown Band for a smooth medley of 'Colder Weather' and 'Sweet Baby James'.
The duet that brought down the house however was the American Idol connection of Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler. (She was a winner; he's now a judge.) Carrie got her rocker chick on for a showstopping rendition (see video below) of the Aerosmith hit, 'Walk This Way' with Tyler. (They also performed her song 'Undo It'.)
The big winner of the night was Miranda Lambert who took home four awards , although she lost the coveted Entertainer of the Year honor to Taylor Swift. Bluegrass trio the Band Perry was named Best New Artist.
The Academy really knows how to throw a party. There were so many performances that they didn't get around to handing out any awards until the second hour.
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