Las Vegas Weekly

April 20, 2010 · 8:37 AM

Photos: Las Vegas goes country with Nashville newcomers and superstars

By Robin Leach

Joe Nichols, Randy Houser and Trace Adkins at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill at Harrah's on April 18, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

It’s country music’s biggest party of the year, and Las Vegas this past weekend became the Nashville of the West. From Miranda Lambert’s free fans concert downtown on Fremont Street to Kenny Chesney’s Summer in 3D movie premiere and other events leading up to last Sunday’s 45th Academy of Country Music Awards from MGM Grand Garden Arena, superstars were everywhere you turned.

KENNY CHESNEY

Kenny hosted a private party at the all-new Skybar at the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday night in celebration of the premiere of his movie Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D. The event included Kenny’s close friends Matthew McConaughey, Matthew’s girlfriend Camila Alves and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, who narrates Summer in 3D. A steel drum band entertained guests until the early hours.

The red carpet premiere of the film was earlier in the day at Rave Motion Pictures at Town Square and included Dierks Bentley, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jewel, Matthew, Camila and Morgan.

MIRANDA LAMBERT

Before Miranda made history at the ACMs by winning her second Album of the Year Award, for Revolution, the “Kerosene” crooner headlined a free concert at Fremont Street Experience on Saturday night, and contributing photographer Scott Harrison was onsite for the rockin’ set.

JULIANNE HOUGH

Dancing With the Stars two-time pro dancer winner and Las Vegas Academy alumnus Julianne Hough came home for the Vegas Goes Country party weekend and celebrated her success at The Bank Nightclub in the Bellagio on Saturday night, and photographer Denise Truscello captured Julianne’s night out. Julianne, who co-stars with Cher and Christina Aguilera in the new film Burlesque, was with actress and co-star Chelsea Traille and dined at chef Akira Back’s Yellowtail.

RANDY HOUSER & FRIENDS

Fans jammed into Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Harrah’s as Randy Houser & Friends hosted the I Love This Open Bar Blowout, a night of music that streamed live on CMT.com. Randy, Show Dog-Universal Music’s fast-rising star, delivered a high-energy set including his hit “Boots On” and current single “I’m All About It.” Randy also was celebrating his first ACM Awards nomination for Video of the Year for “Boots On.” (The trophy went to Miranda’s “White Liar.”)

A number of lovely, leotard-clad “Houser Hotties” were turning heads as they cheered on Randy while holding signs supporting the Mississippi-born singer. Toby (who owns Show Dog), Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols and Trailer Choir were among the stars in attendance, and contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was onsite for our Vegas DeLuxe photo gallery.

I got in the thick of it with Trace, Joe, Harrah’s head honcho Tom Jenkins and Randy, who performed for an hour. Randy’s music video for “Boots On,” featuring a talented toddler rocking along with his toy guitar, has become a YouTube phenomenon, but I didn’t see the baby at the party! Toby also featured Show Dog newcomers Crystal Hoyt and Big Vinny and Butter during the evening.

RANDY ROGERS BAND

ACM nominees Randy Rogers Band headed from their Fremont Street show to their pre-ACM Awards celebration at Lavo in the Palazzo. The awards newcomers arrived in a party bus with a large group of friends. After posing for photographs with fans, the band dined on Italian specialties before heading upstairs to the boutique nightclub, where they took over a dance-floor VIP table. DJ Reach gave the band shout-outs, much to the delight of the band and clubgoers, and they partied into the night drinking Jack Daniels and Jagermeister.

EDDIE CIBRIAN & LEANN RIMES

Lovebirds LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian are still going strong with their romance after the lurid tabloid headlines of their nasty divorces and watched The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. The couple, who joked while taking photographs that they would “pretend to like each other,” sipped on water and snacked on popcorn during the show. This was the country singer’s fourth time seeing Love and the hunky actor’s first.

During the weekend, LeAnn entertained the servicemen and servicewomen at our Nellis Air Force Base, and Vegas DeLuxe reader Christopher Rauschnot (@24k Media on Twitter) was invited to watch the star-studded USO show -- partly a tribute to Willie Nelson -- and shared his video with us via YouTube.

Chris told us: “Many of the Academy of Country Music Awards performers turned out to entertain our heroes. LeAnn sang two songs, and at the end of the first, she thanked every U.S. service member for what they do to keep America safe.”

Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy contributed to this report.

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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