The 51st ACM Awards Return to Sin City This Weekend
The awards show airs on Sunday night.
— -- After a year’s hiatus in Dallas to celebrate its golden anniversary, the Academy of Country Music Awards return to Las Vegas Sunday night.
Luke Bryan, the reigning Entertainer of the Year, is back as co-host, with Dierks Bentley filling the spot vacated by five-time master of ceremonies Blake Shelton, who’ll still take the stage to perform.
Bryan and Bentley will sing as well, with Bentley likely to lead the charge of memorable collaborations by teaming up with New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty, who’s featured on his forthcoming album "Black."
Nick Jonas returns to the ACMs for the second year in a row, this time to duet with New Female Artist winner Kelsea Ballerini. Dolly Parton will trade lines of her iconic songs “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors” with Katy Perry. Miranda Lambert will look for some “Tush” with its creator, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, joined by Keith Urban on guitar.
Urban is one of roughly a half-dozen artists who’ll debut new material, introducing his new single “Wasted Time.” Carrie Underwood will ring “Church Bells,” while Charles Kelley will deliver the Chris Stapleton-penned “Lonely Girl.”
You can bet the ACMs have cleared a slot for the New Male Vocalist winner and most-nominated artist this year, though the bar is set high after Stapleton’s triumph at the CMA Awards with Justin Timberlake. New Duo/Group winner Old Dominion is guaranteed a spot as well.
The rest of this year’s leading nominees are on the bill too. Cam and Eric Church are the evening’s second-most nominated, with half a dozen apiece. Little Big Town is just behind with five.
There will be plenty of familiar favorites on the show as well. Cam will do her breakthrough “Burning House,” while Thomas Rhett will sing the biggest hit of his career, “Die a Happy Man.”
Tim McGraw offers his current hit “Humble and Kind,” while Chris Young and Cassadee Pope relive their duet, “Think of You.” Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line take the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as well.
When it comes to handing out trophies, actors Tom Hiddleston and Kiefer Sutherland lead the way, with Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell and Maddie&Tae taking a turn with the teleprompter as well.
The festivities officially start at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, with the Vocal Event, Video, and Duo of the Year winners to be revealed on the red carpet prior to the show.
Here are the nominees in the remaining categories for the 51st ACM Awards:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Brett Eldredge
Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Jana Kramer
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young
Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
"Burning House" – Cam
"Buy Me A Boat" – Chris Janson
"Die A Happy Man" – Thomas Rhett
"Girl Crush" – Little Big Town
"I’m Comin’ Over" – Chris Young
"Take Your Time" – Sam Hunt
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Burning House”– Cam
“Girl Crush”– Little Big Town
“Nobody to Blame”– Chris Stapleton
“Raise ‘Em Up”– Keith Urban featuring Eric Church
“She Don’t Love You”– Eric Paslay
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Biscuits" – Kacey Musgraves
"Burning House" – Cam
"Girl Crush" – Little Big Town
"Mr. Misunderstood" – Eric Church
"Riser" – Dierks Bentley
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
"Hangover Tonight" – Gary Allan featuring Chris Stapleton
"Home Alone Tonight" – Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
"Raise ‘Em Up" – Keith Urban featuring Eric Church
"Smokin’ And Drinkin’" – Miranda Lambert featuring Little Big Town
"Wild Child" – Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter
