Las Vegas turned country during the 48 annual Academy of Country Music Awards that occurred April 7, 2013 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The three-hour event, hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, showcased 24 performances, including performers Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, new-comers Florida Georgia Line, Jana Kramer, and Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and Carrie Underwood.
The Band Perry, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton stunned the crowd as well during their performances, but no performance compared to Stevie Wonder’s performance with Hunter Hayes. In a press release after the performance, Hunter Hayes said, “This is something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time, and I’ve been hoping for it, wishing for it, praying for it and I just hope we get to do it again.”
Arguably the biggest upset of the night was Luke Bryan, recipient of “Entertainer of the Year.”
In a survey completed by 80 McIntosh students, 19 students wished that Taylor Swift would have received “Entertainer of the Year,” 16 students wished that Miranda Lambert would have received “Entertainer of the Year,” 15 students wished that Blake Shelton would have received “Entertainer of the Year,” 9 students wished that Jason Aldean would have received “Entertainer of the Year,” and 21 students wished that Luke Bryan would have received “Entertainer of the Year.”
The complete list of award recipients is shown below.
Entertainer of the Year: Luke Bryan
Male Vocalist of the Year: Jason Aldean
Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
Single Record of the Year: “Over You,” Miranda Lambert
Song of the Year: “Over You,” Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton
Vocal Group of the Year: Little Big Town
New Artist of the Year: Florida Georgia Line
Album of the Year: “Chief,” Eric Church
Vocal Duo of the Year: Thompson Square
Video of the Year: “Tornado,” Little Big Town
Vocal Event of the Year: “The Only Way I Know,” Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Eric Church
Songwriter of the Year: Dallas Davidson