Blog 7

On April 7, country music icons from around America gathered at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2013 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards hosted by country superstars Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton. From Record of the Year to Entertainer of the Year, there were plenty of awards for country superstars, and the winners were quite deserving of their respected wins.

    Hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton began the opening dialogue with comedic banter including hits at Bryan’s tight jeans and Shelton’s wife, Miranda Lambert. Bryan and Shelton also included jokes about Carrie Underwood and other music icons. The opening dialogue ended quickly as award presentations and performances began.

    Nominees for Male Vocalist of the Year included Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Toby Keith, and Blake Shelton. Shelton held the 2012 title of Male Vocalist of the Year, but Jason Aldean won 2013 Male Vocalist of Year. Aldean’s major hits include “Don’t You Wanna Stay”, “Church Pew or Bar Stool”, and “Just Passing Through”. Although Shelton did not win Male Vocalist of the Year, his wife, Miranda Lambert, won Female Vocalist of the Year and Record of the Year with her song, “Over You”.

    As the night continued, more awards and honors were awarded to various artists and vocal groups. Thompson Square won Vocal Duo of the Year. Eric Church won Album of the Year for his popular album, “Chief”. Florida Georgia Line won New Artist of the Year, a major honor in music awards. Little Big Town won Vocal Group of the Year. “Over You”, written by Blake Shelton and performed by Miranda Lambert, won Song of the Year.

    With only one award left, all performers were focused on one title: Entertainer of the Year. The deserving nominees included Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift. Swift held the 2011 and 2012 title for Entertainer of the Year, and everyone awaited to see if lucky number three would also be in favor. The 2013 Entertainer of the Year award went to male country superstar Luke Bryan.

    Between the laughs and awards, the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards was a major success. Two and three time title holders passed their titles down to the up and coming music stars, and even those who did not win a title or award still had an enjoyable laugh or two throughout the eventful evening.

-Mimicking Entertainment Weekly blogger Mandi Bierly

Sophie Daily

TPP staff writer