Las Vegas Weekly

November 4, 2008 · 9:38 AM

McEntire to host ACMAs for 11th time; Strait is Artist of the Decade

By Robin Leach

Reba McIntire.

Photo: ACM

The reigning queen of country is returning one more time! For the 11th go-round, music, film and TV legend Reba McEntire will host the annual, live Academy of Country Music Awards -- the 44th -- from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on CBS.

This year it’s a unique and spectacular two-night event.

First, Reba reveals that the 2009 special is on April 5. Then 24 hours later, it will be followed by the taping of the rare Artist of the Decade award show honoring king of country George Strait. Only four acts have been previously honored: Marty Robbins in 1969, Loretta Lynn in 1979, Alabama in 1988 and Garth Brooks in 1998.

Photo: Academy of Country Music

George Strait.

George has won 19 ACM Awards over the years, including Entertainer of the Year in 1990, and in selling 70 million records, has had 56 #1singles, the most by a single artist on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. He sits third in all music genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. His current album Troubadour has already been certified gold.

Earlier this year, the country music awards show from Vegas attracted 12 million viewers with Reba as host. To date, she has won 11 ACM Awards, including the first annual Home Depot Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic work. Reba and Dick Clark Productions expect the double-header to double the numbers for an ultimate superstar country weekend in Vegas.

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