Las Vegas Weekly

April 19, 2010 · 8:16 PM

Photos: Brooks & Dunn, Underwood, Lambert, Paisley make history

By Don Chareunsy

Brad Paisley after his performance of "Water" during the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 18, 2010.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images/ACM

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

History was made numerous times over last night during the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena: Brooks & Dunn, in their final performance together on the ACMs, won Vocal Duo of the Year for an astounding 27th win, an ACM record; Carrie Underwood won Entertainer of the Year for a second time, the only female artist to do so twice, let alone consecutive; and Miranda Lambert won Album of the Year for Revolution, the only female artist to win the album award twice.

Lady Antebellum came into the three-hour evening aired on CBS with a leading seven nominations and carried off five trophies, so it was definitely ladies’ night at the ACM Awards. Among the men, Brad Paisley was named Top Male Vocalist of the Year for the fourth consecutive time shortly after performing his new single “Water” and ending the song by falling back into a hot tub, so he accepted the award from actor Matthew McConaughey still soaking wet.

Contributing photographers Scott Harrison, Erik Kabik, Tom Donoghue and Las Vegas News Bureau’s Brian Jones were on orange carpet duty for the more than 130 photos that comprise our Vegas DeLuxe photo gallery, while Getty Images and ACM provide images from the telecast.

Underwood is only the seventh female in the 40-year history of the entertainer award to win, following in the footsteps of Loretta Lynn (1975), Dolly Parton (1977), Barbara Mandrell (1980), Reba McEntire (1994), Shania Twain (1999) and The Dixie Chicks (2000). Underwood’s first award was in 2009. Along with their record-setting win, Brooks & Dunn sang the fan-selected “My Maria” as their final ACM performance, which received a standing ovation from beginning to end.

The night’s other winners in the 16 categories voted on by ACM members (excluding Entertainer of the Year and Top New Artist categories, which are voted on by ACM members and fans) are Top Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert; Top Vocal Group of the Year, Lady Antebellum; Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year, Luke Bryan; Top New Vocal Duo of the Year, Joey + Rory; Top New Vocal Group of the Year, Gloriana; Top New Artist, Luke Bryan; Single Record of the Year, “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum; Song of the Year, “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum; Video of the Year, “White Liar,” Miranda Lambert; Vocal Event of the Year, “Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins; Triple Crown Award, Carrie Underwood; and The Home Depot Humanitarian Award, Montgomery Gentry.

ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn -- The Last Rodeo, a tribute to the legendary duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, is being taped tonight at MGM Grand for airing on CBS on May 23. Underwood told Mr. Vegas DeLuxe Robin Leach backstage that Brooks & Dunn are her neighbors in Nashville and that she will sing the song at their tribute they released when she was just 8 years old. Mr. Leach also spoke with McEntire and Lambert about Brooks & Dunn ahead of the awards telecast.

Check out Mr. Vegas DeLuxe Robin Leach’s tweets from the arrivals to the awards show to backstage at this year’s lively ACM Awards, as well as my tweets during the awards show to recount some of the more memorable performances and events of the evening.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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