LAS VEGAS, March 8 (US): Morgan Wallen won Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards Monday night for “Dangerous: The Double Album,” a year after he was removed from an ACM ballot after he was caught on camera using racial slur.
Wallen didn’t directly mention the problem and his absence from recent award shows as he accepted the trophy at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, but he may have hinted at it, the AP reports.
“For my son, this award would signify that his father was a fighter,” Wallen said.
Miranda Lambert won Night One, Female Artist of the Year, for the first time after losing in five previous years, but she wasn’t in Las Vegas to accept it.
Lambert said in a video message from London: “Can’t believe I’m not here to celebrate, it’s the first time I’ve missed ACM members in 17 years. I’ve been waiting for this so long”
Carly Pierce won Best Female Artist, and Chris Stapleton won Best Male Artist over Wallen, who won no other awards Monday night after being nominated for three.
Wallen was among the few winners who did not perform on the show.
Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood won Song of the Year for their duet “If I Don’t Love You,” while Lenny Wilson won Song of the Year for “Things a Man Oughta Know.” The artists later performed the songs live in a performance heavy show.
The show, which was broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video, attempted to evoke a festive atmosphere while paying homage to global and local tragedies.
“I was feeling a little weird because we’re in such a beautiful bubble,” Ramsey said. “Everyone here fought for their dreams, but there are people out there fighting for their lives.”
Aldean, who was performing at a nearby music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in 2017 when a 64-year-old man opened fire and killed 60 people, said he still couldn’t believe the moment happened when Stapleton introduced.
Stapleton performed his angry song about the shooting, “Watch You Burn.”
“Only a coward would carry a gun and shoot a crowd trying to have fun,” Stapleton sang.
Otherwise, the show did its best to be fun.
Parton opened the show by taking to the stage in the indoor stadium in a jumpsuit that appeared to be covered in shimmering shards of glass.
“The disco ball fell right on me,” Barton said. “I just hope nothing punctures me.”
Then came the first set of several long blocks of performances – including one 35 minutes long – at a party that sought to emphasize music and a concert-like atmosphere.
Parton’s co-hosts, Jimmy Allen and Gabby Barrett, celebrated the show’s return to its home city after two years in Nashville. They sang Elvis Presley’s classic “Viva Las Vegas” and Faith Hill’s “Let’s Go to Vegas”.
They were followed by tracks from Eric Church and Walker Hayes, who began his performance deep in the stadium stands, casually dressed like the people in the cheap seats as he sang his viral song about a date at Applebee, “Fancy Like.”
The Osborne Brothers broke a three-year winning streak by Dan + Shay to take home the best duo, the first trophy handed out during the show.
Luke Bryan sang his song “Up”, then performed his duet “Buy Dirt” with Jordan Davis and performed his song “Up”. Other artists include Ken Brown, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Blanco Brown, Brooke Eden, Ashley McBride and Burland.
As the show drew to a close, Kelly Clarkson performed “I Will Always Love You” written and recorded by Parton for the first time, in honor of the host.
“I love you, Dolly Parton!” Clarkson cried when Barton came out to present the Artist of the Year award.
After reading Lambert’s name, Barton said, “I’ve always loved her.” She also said she believed the late Whitney Houston, who brought the song renewed fame in the 1990s, would approve of Clarkson’s soaring performance.
Brothers Osborne and Britney Spencer concluded the show with a performance by Nancy Sinatra, “These Shoes Are Made for Walking.”
Earned by the ACM’s reputation for fun, engaging and inclusive atmosphere, Amazon has sought to go beyond its previously broadcast live sports events to connect this to a large audience of country fans who listen to Amazon Music.
The show tried to have a sporty look with three stages, overhead spider cameras, non-stop action and heavy graphics.
It was billed as free of commercials, but there were breaks to promote Amazon’s original movies and TV series.