ACM Awards 2016: Jason Aldean Named Performer of the Year, Chris Stapleton Rules the NightThe Chris Stapleton underground continues to roll along in the country music world at a first-class rate. Sunday’s 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards was evidence of this, as the musician added four more prizes to his mantle -- new male vocalist, the album of the year (for Traveller), the song of the year (“Nobody To Blame”), and male vocalist of the year.
His achievement has been so tremendous over the preceding six months that it was the sole subject of the humorous opening monolog from show hosts Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley. Both of whom kicked off the telecast by jokingly taking credit for his work – only to be interfered by Thomas Rhett, Charles Kelley, and Jason Aldean – all of whom have designated Stapleton songs in the past. Carrie Underwood got the last laughter, however, by wearing a Stapleton shirt that she said was formed in 1978 -- the year he was born.
At the end of the evening at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena, the big champion was Jason Aldean, who replaced Luke Bryan in getting the top award for Entertainer of the year. It was Aldean’s fifth naming in the category, and admittedly not one that he was demanding to carry home. “I was just beginning to think this wasn’t in the cards for me,” he said. “I may be a little rough around the edges, but I love this business.”
Among the first-time champ during the awards included Thomas Rhett, who amazed many with success in the single of the year section for his hit “Die A Happy Man.” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” was a massive popular with most of the pre-show prognosticators, but the true-to-life desire song (inspired by Rhett’s wife Lauren) resonated with voters as well as fans. Though their awards were performed earlier during ACM week, Kelsea Ballerini and Old Dominion also took place significant honors for the first time, winning in the new female vocalist and group categories, respectively.
Adding to their prize cases was Florida Georgia Line, who added to their streak of wins in the vocal duo of the year section for the third decent year. Eric Church claimed the award for video of the year for “Mr. Misunderstood.” Though they didn’t tally in the original or song categories, the night still showed satisfactory for Little Large Town, who won their third vocal group of the year award, as well as for vocal event of the year, for “Smoking and Drinking,” their collaboration with Miranda Lambert. The night also identified the first ACM win in seven years for Dolly Parton, who claimed the Tex Ritter Prize for the success of her TV movie Coat of Many Colors.
One of the big questions of the ACMs was if Lambert would tie Reba McEntire’s distinction of seven victories in the female singer category. The singer did just that. In her conversation, Lambert caught a note of the increasing number of girls -- in the format and on the telecast. “I love seeing a bunch of girls up here cleaning. I’m glad to be one of them,” she said.
Performance-wise, the musical highlights combined Cam’s stunning take on her named song “Burning House.” Chris Young and Cassadee Pope delivered a flawless appearance of their duet “Look At You.” Carrie Underwood brought a hard look and vocal aerobatics to her current single “Church Bells,” while Thomas Rhett charmed the fans (and his beaming wife) with his performance of “Die A Happy Man.”
Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley -- in his original accounts appearance as a soloist -- also connected the top notes with “Lonely Girl,” and Tim McGraw delivered the people to their feet with a beautiful take on. “Humble And Kind,” which highlighted an array of kids and women from all backgrounds joining McGraw on stage for the anthemic character. Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton closed out the shows for the night with a soaring version of “Fire Away” with wife Morgane's powerhouse backing vocals.
Also, of note were the collaborations with musicians extreme of the format. Lambert showed some parade by her performance of ZZ Top’s classic “Tush” by the group’s Billy Gibbons and Keith Urban during Ballerini showed once again. She is one of the up-and-coming stars in the form with her assortment of “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Peter Pan,” which too performed a cameo from Nick Jonas. Small Big Town took a swampy feel to “Stay All Night,” which highlighted Trombone Shorty.
What appeared to be the moment that the audience was waiting for all night lived up to prospects with Parton and Katy Perry uniting theirs musical talents for a medley of Parton classics “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 To 5,” and “Jolene.”
Though not a performance, the emotional highlight of the night was a tribute to Joey+Rory’s Joey Feek, who passed away last month at the age of 40 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Darius Rucker and Martina McBride led an emotional standing ovation in honor of the late singer.
"Of all the different ways we could honor Joey, we think that what would mean the most to Joey and her family is just one more time, for all of us, her fans who loved her, to give her a big round of applause," Rucker said.
"God bless them, and God bless you, Joey," McBride added.
At the end of the evening at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena, the big champion was Jason Aldean, who replaced Luke Bryan in getting the top award for Entertainer of the year. It was Aldean’s fifth naming in the category, and admittedly not one that he was demanding to carry home. “I was just beginning to think this wasn’t in the cards for me,” he said. “I may be a little rough around the edges, but I love this business.”
Among the first-time champ during the awards included Thomas Rhett, who amazed many with success in the single of the year section for his hit “Die A Happy Man.” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” was a massive popular with most of the pre-show prognosticators, but the true-to-life desire song (inspired by Rhett’s wife Lauren) resonated with voters as well as fans. Though their awards were performed earlier during ACM week, Kelsea Ballerini and Old Dominion also took place significant honors for the first time, winning in the new female vocalist and group categories, respectively.
Adding to their prize cases was Florida Georgia Line, who added to their streak of wins in the vocal duo of the year section for the third decent year. Eric Church claimed the award for video of the year for “Mr. Misunderstood.” Though they didn’t tally in the original or song categories, the night still showed satisfactory for Little Large Town, who won their third vocal group of the year award, as well as for vocal event of the year, for “Smoking and Drinking,” their collaboration with Miranda Lambert. The night also identified the first ACM win in seven years for Dolly Parton, who claimed the Tex Ritter Prize for the success of her TV movie Coat of Many Colors.
One of the big questions of the ACMs was if Lambert would tie Reba McEntire’s distinction of seven victories in the female singer category. The singer did just that. In her conversation, Lambert caught a note of the increasing number of girls -- in the format and on the telecast. “I love seeing a bunch of girls up here cleaning. I’m glad to be one of them,” she said.
Performance-wise, the musical highlights combined Cam’s stunning take on her named song “Burning House.” Chris Young and Cassadee Pope delivered a flawless appearance of their duet “Look At You.” Carrie Underwood brought a hard look and vocal aerobatics to her current single “Church Bells,” while Thomas Rhett charmed the fans (and his beaming wife) with his performance of “Die A Happy Man.”
Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley -- in his original accounts appearance as a soloist -- also connected the top notes with “Lonely Girl,” and Tim McGraw delivered the people to their feet with a beautiful take on. “Humble And Kind,” which highlighted an array of kids and women from all backgrounds joining McGraw on stage for the anthemic character. Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton closed out the shows for the night with a soaring version of “Fire Away” with wife Morgane's powerhouse backing vocals.
Also, of note were the collaborations with musicians extreme of the format. Lambert showed some parade by her performance of ZZ Top’s classic “Tush” by the group’s Billy Gibbons and Keith Urban during Ballerini showed once again. She is one of the up-and-coming stars in the form with her assortment of “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Peter Pan,” which too performed a cameo from Nick Jonas. Small Big Town took a swampy feel to “Stay All Night,” which highlighted Trombone Shorty.
What appeared to be the moment that the audience was waiting for all night lived up to prospects with Parton and Katy Perry uniting theirs musical talents for a medley of Parton classics “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 To 5,” and “Jolene.”
Though not a performance, the emotional highlight of the night was a tribute to Joey+Rory’s Joey Feek, who passed away last month at the age of 40 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Darius Rucker and Martina McBride led an emotional standing ovation in honor of the late singer.
"Of all the different ways we could honor Joey, we think that what would mean the most to Joey and her family is just one more time, for all of us, her fans who loved her, to give her a big round of applause," Rucker said.
"God bless them, and God bless you, Joey," McBride added.
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