Aldean wins top county music award
Jason Aldean beat Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert for entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards — a first for the singer after earning nominations for the top prize over the years, while Chris Stapleton cleaned house in other categories.
Aldean also won over Garth Brooks and Eric Church on Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“I was just starting to think this one wasn't in the cards for me,” Aldean said onstage near the end of the three-hour show, which aired on CBS. “This is one of the best nights of my professional career.”
Stapleton had an even better night. It was a repeat of the recent Grammy Awards and last year's Country Music Association Awards. Stapleton took home six awards, including album, song, male vocalist and new male vocalist of the year (he won twice for album and song of the year as the artist and songwriter-producer).
Stapleton also shined with an impressive performance of the song, “Fire Away.” His special guest was his wife, Morgane, who sang next to her all-star hubby.
The critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter was humbled and shocked as he won the most awards of the night.
“You got to be kidding me. I thought for sure we were going to be girl-crushed on this one,” Stapleton said onstage after winning song of the year for “Nobody to Blame” and beating Little Big Town's megahit “Girl Crush.”
Other top moments from the show included Dolly Parton partnering with Katy Perry for “Coat of Many Colors” and “Jolene.”
“Y'all finally got me in a pair of boots,” Perry said onstage, sporting a bright pink and yellow country-flavored get-up. Parton wore a 2016 sparkly version of the famous coat she said “represents a very special time in my life” and was part of last year's NBC TV-movie about her childhood, “Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors.” She won the Tex Ritter Award for films that honor country music.
Eric Church also had a special moment when he paid tribute to rock icons like David Bowie, The Eagles' Glenn Frey, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead and former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland. Bryan introduced Church and said the performer was a big fan of vinyl records and was set to pay tribute to “four of his musical heroes.” Church performed the track, “Record Year,” and intertwined the late performers' songs into his performance.
Tim McGraw's performance was also a highlight: As he sang “Humble & Kind,” a diverse group of people joined him onstage, from children to adults of every race.
Stapleton's six of seven wins ties him with Brooks and Faith Hill for most wins in a night at the ACMs.
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