2013 ACM Awards Recap

A Quick Look At Last Night’s ACM Awards From HaleighT’s Eyes. Last night was the 48th Annual ACM Awards in Las Vegas. This year Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan hosted the event and for their first time together, I’d say it went pretty smooth. The night started with a performance of Shelton’s new single, “Boys Round Here.” Sheryl Crow, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and The Pistol Annies joined Shelton, making it the first of many collaboration performances of the night. Like I said, there was a number of collaborations and something most had in common was the horrible sound coming over my TV speakers. Being that the majority of the performances sounded “off,” I’m going to say that it was an issue with the sound techs and hope that I’m right. Easily my favorite performance of the night was Eric Church singing “Like Jesus Does.” He sounded spot on, just like he does on his albums and just like he does every time I see him live. It wasn’t flashy, just simple and enjoyable. I think he made a lot of people proud. I was super pumped to watch George Strait and Garth Brooks perform together (like they kept announcing), but that wasn’t quite what happened. The piano began to play and I immediately screamed because I knew I was about to hear “The Dance.” When Brooks didn’t sing the entire song and the music faded into Strait’s “The Cowboy Rides Away,” I thought, Oh this is going to be awesome! They are singing a part of both songs and then they’ll sing one together! But that didn’t happen. Prior to their performance, the academy kept saying that the two would be performing together for the first time ever and I just think that was a little bit of a let-down. Either way, it was great to see them both on the stage performing at all and especially in tribute to Dick Clark. The segments of the show, where we were taken to the Fan Jam were definitely the times to refill my drink. Again, the sound was just awful. I could barely hear Jana Kramer over her backup singers during her song “Whiskey” and I don’t know what was going on during Paisley’s performance with John Mayer. Let’s just hope they work the issue out for next year. The grand finale, the Entertainer of the Year award went to Luke Bryan. It was a wonderful moment, where it seemed like everyone was standing and cheering for him and numerous people were very emotional as he accepted his award. It was really something special to see his fellow artists and friends genuinely happy for him. The award was definitely deserved. Below are a list of side notes from the show, the winners and a list of performers. Some Side Notes: – Taylor Swift really needs to work on her dance moves or just stop. – The Pistol Annies are even cooler for being so supportive of the winners (they kept Continue reading 2013 ACM Awards Recap

Darius Rucker To Host ACM Golf Tournament

Darius Rucker Will Be Hosting The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Tournament. The Academy of Country Music announced today that Darius Rucker will host the ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Las Vegas for the second consecutive year on Saturday, April 6, 2013. The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic, ACM Weekend at Fremont Street Experience, ACM Party for a Cause Festival, THE ACM EXPERIENCE and more will all be taking place in conjunction with “The Week Vegas Goes Country,” leading up to the 48th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS­. The award show will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. The ACM Lifting Lives® Celebrity Golf Classic—the seventh held since 2004—brings together country music artists, record label executives and other members of the music community in a star-studded scramble tournament to raise funds and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need in the music industry.

2013 ACM Awards Performers Announced

George Strait and More In The First Round Of Performer Announcements. It was announced today that Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait and The Band Perry will perform at the 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards. The ceremony will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7 at 8 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. This is only the first round of performers to be announced so keep your eyes and ears open, because we will let you know as the rest of the artists set to perform are announced!

ACM 2013 Fremont Street Experience Line Up

Academy of Country Music Announces Line Up for Free Concert Series, 2013 Fremont Street Experience. For the 7th consecutive year in the run-up to the annual ACM Awards, the Academy of Country Music is offering a FREE concert series to country fans attending the weekend’s festivities in Las Vegas. The concerts take place on Friday, April 5th & Saturday, April 6th preceding the Sunday night, April 7th awards show! As usual, the concerts will be held in the Fremont Street district, and will feature two stages, one located at 1st Street and the other at 3rd street, giving attendees double the chance to catch some great live music. This year’s free concert series will be hosted by on air personality Blair Gardner. Find the complete line up below. 2013 ACM Fremont Street Experience Line Up. Friday, April 5th 9pm: Sunny Sweeney (1st Street Stage) 9:50pm: Joe Nichols (3rd Street Stage) 11pm: Kip Moore (1st Street Stage) 12am: Gary Allan (3rd Street Stage) Saturday, April 6th 9pm: Chris Janson (1st Street Stage) 9:50pm: Randy Houser (3rd Street Stage) 11pm: Jana Kramer (1st Street Stage) 12am: Jake Owen (3rd Street Stage)

Shot of Country ACM Awards 2013 Nominees Salute

This Installment of Shot Of Country Raises a Glass to All the ACM Awards 2013 Nominees! This week’s special edition “Shot Of Country” is putting the spotlight on all the ACM Awards 2013 Nominees! The nominations were announced Wednesday, February 13th, and we’ve got just the right drink for you to mix up to salute your favorite country artist! Check out this week’s recipe below, and be sure to let us know who would get your vote this year! The live show will take place in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7th at 8pm on CBS! Raise a Glass with HaleighT and Salute Your Favorite ACM Awards Nominees! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be_FcHcZmdY]

ACM Awards 2013 Nominees

Complete List of the Academy of Country Music ACM Awards 2013 Nominees! The Academy of Country Music took to social media this morning to announce the official ACM Awards 2013 Nominees and it couldn’t be more exciting! Eric Church (finally!!) leads with 7 total nominations, and Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton (not surprisingly) nabbing multiple noms as well. Semi-newcomers Hunter Hayes and Kacey Musgraves both also did really well claiming multiple nods. Find the complete list of nominees below, and check out the #CMchat #BlogRodeo “Reaction” Chat! Watch the ‘Reaction Chat’! ACM Awards 2013 Nominees. Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean Luke Bryan Miranda Lambert Blake Shelton Taylor Swift Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert Martina McBride Kacey Musgraves Taylor Swift Carrie Underwood Male Vocalist of the Year Jason Aldean Luke Bryan Eric Church Toby Keith Blake Shelton Vocal Duo of the Year Big & Rich Florida Georgia Line Love and Theft Sugarland Thompson Square Vocal Group of the Year The Band Perry Eli Young Band Little Big Town Lady Antebellum Zac Brown Band New Artist of the Year Jana Kramer Brantley Gilbert Florida Georgia Line Album of the Year Blown Away Carrie Underwood Chief Eric Church RedTaylor Swift Tailgates & Tanlines Luke Bryan Tornado Little Big Town Song of the Year “A Woman Like You” Lee Brice (Composers: Phil Barton/Jonny Bulford/Jon Stone) “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” Eli Young Band (Composers: Will Hoge/Eric Paslay) “Over You” Miranda Lambert (Composers: Miranda Lambert/Blake Shelton) “Springsteen” Eric Church (Composers: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde/Ryan Tyndell) “Wanted” Hunter Hayes (Composers: Hunter Hayes/Troy Verges) Single Record of the Year “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” Eli Young Band “Over You” Miranda Lambert “Pontoon” Little Big Town “Springsteen” Eric Church “Wanted” Hunter Hayes Vocal Event of the Year “Don’t Rush” Kelly Clarkson ft. Vince Gill “Easy” Rascal Flatts ft. Natasha Bedingfield “Feel Like A Rockstar” Kenny Chesney ft. Tim McGraw “Let It Rain” David Nail ft. Sarah Buxton “The Only Way I Know” Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church Video of the Year “Creepin” Eric Church “Wanted” Hunter Hayes “Tornado” Little Big Town “Merry Go Round” Kacey Musgraves “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” Taylor Swift “The Wind” Zac Brown Band Songwriter of the Year Rodney Clawson Dallas Davidson Josh Kear Luke Laird Shane McAnally Steel Guitar Player of the Year Dan Dugmore Mike Johnson Greg Leisz Russ Pahl Fiddle Player of the Year Glen Duncan Larry Franklin Aubrey Haynie Hank Singer Joe Spivey Guitarist of the Year Tom Bukovac J.T. Corenflos Jay Joyce Rob McNelley Brent Mason Bass Player of the Year Dennis Crouch Kevin “Swine” Grantt Larry Paxton Jimmie Lee Sloas Glenn Worf Percussionist/Drummer of the Year Eddie Bayers Matt Chamberlain Chad Cromwell Chris McHugh Greg Morrow Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year Eric Darken Glen Duncan Jim Hoke Bryan Sutton Ilya Toshinsky Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year John Jarvis Charlie Judge Gordon Mote Steve Nathan Michael Rojas Casino of the Year Agua Caliente Casino ‐ Continue reading ACM Awards 2013 Nominees

ACM Awards 2013 Nominations Google Hangout

CMchatLIVE and CMNB Present the ACM Awards 2013 Nominations Google Plus Hangout! Wednesday morning February 13th, the Academy of Country Music took to social media to release the official list of ACM Awards 2013 nominations! We really get into the whole awards thing around here at CMNB, and this year we teamed up with CMchatLive to give you a little extra insight into the nominations. Check out our live “reactions” Google + hangout discussing and otherwise hashing out all the fun details on the categories, the nominees and the upcoming events surrounding the awards festivities in Vegas in April!  Get ready to let it all “Twangout,” and check out the complete list of ACM Awards 2013 Nominees! Tune in to the ACM Awards Google Hangout NOW! You can always follow along on Twitter with #CMchat and #BlogRodeo! The 2013 ACM Awards will be hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan and air LIVE on CBS from Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7th at 8pm.

Vote Lee Brice for 2013 ACM Award Newcomer

YOU Can vote for Lee Brice for an 2013 ACM Award for New Artist of the Year! You can help Lee Brice win an ACM Award for New Artist of the Year! Last week the Academy of Country Music announced the nominees for three fan voted newcomer categories! These feature groups for male vocalist, female vocalist and group or duo. The individuals in these 3 categories will be narrowed down via fan votes, and the remaining folks with the most votes will be in the running for the New Artist of the Year category! Guess what? The talented CMNB favorite, Lee Brice needs your help! He is currently in the running in the newcomer category for male vocalist and you can help him be one of the New Artist finalist! Voting opened today, and you can weigh in here. The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7th, 2013 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS. Current Lee Brice Tour Dates and Tickets!

Luke Bryan Co-Hosts 2013 ACM Awards with Blake Shelton

Hear Luke Bryan Make Co-Host Announcement for the 2013 ACM Awards with Blake Shelton! The Academy of Country Music has just announced that Luke Bryan will be filling the spot of co-host with Blake Shelton for the 2013 ACM Awards! We’ve all been wondering who was going to step into Reba McEntire’s boots after she announced she wouldn’t be co-hosting anymore, and I’m going to speak for the whole CMNB Team and say, this is exciting! Bryan and ACM released a special video to make the announcement, and it bodes well for the hilarious antics that are sure to take place with both Blake and Luke hosting the show together. Now we’ve all got at least two great reasons to tune in to CBS on Sunday, April 7th at 8pm ET/PT. Watch: Luke Bryan’s ACM Awards Co-Hosting Announcement! Current Luke Bryan Tours and Tickets

A Taylor-Free Award Show?

In a spectacular ACM Awards Show tonight, one thing was blaringly clear: Taylor Swift is NOT an industry darling anymore! Taylor Swift may have performed during tonight’s Academy of Country Music awards show, but that’s the only stage time she’d get as the peer-voted industry award show shunned the pop princess. Miranda Lambert walked away with 3 awards including Top Female Vocalist and Album of the Year, Carrie Underwood takes away Entertainer of the Year for the second year straight, and Taylor… well Taylor’s probably counting the days till the next fan-voted awards show so millions of texting teens can keep her thanking Mom and God with her shaking hands and ever-surprised face. So what led to this lack of industry peer votes for team Taylor? Perhaps over-saturation? Much like the Hannah Montana craze, have many grown adults heard Taylor’s tunes courtesy of their little girls radios so often that they are now on absolute burnout? Perhaps. Or perhaps, and far more likely, Taylor has been outdone by pure talent. With such a rock-solid performance of “The House That Built Me” from Miranda Lambert, the flaws in Taylor’s live vocals were painfully clear. Add to it the almost too-technically-perfect Carrie Underwood, and the timelessly amazing Reba McEntire all on the same show, and suddenly Taylor is looking more like the little kid they let in for fun. I KNOW I’ll get a ton of hateful comments, but please, just for one minute, do the math and open your mind to the idea that the perfect princess may not be so perfect after all.Country Music Photo Gallery