Jason Aldean parties hard with 6 wins at ACAs

[December 06, 2011]  TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- The American Country Awards were Jason Aldean's kinda party.

Country music's newest superstar won six awards Monday in Las Vegas, including the night's top honors artist of the year and record of the year for "My Kinda Party."

It's true, 2010 has been a non-stop party for Aldean. More than a million fans turned out for his arena tour, his platinum album has spawned four hits so far and the awards are starting to pile up after years of being ignored.

"This is getting a little ridiculous now," Aldean said on his second visit to the stage. "I don't know what else to say. It's been a crazy year."

Carrie Underwood's fans came through for her again at the fan-voted awards a year after she was the top winner on the inaugural show with six trophies. She picked up three awards this year, including female artist of the year and female single of the year for "Mama's Song."

"You guys vote like crazy," Underwood said during her second trip to the stage.

As expected, the show's focus was mostly on country music's emerging stars. Thompson Square also won three trophies -- blue Fender Telecasters with an embossed silhouette of the U.S. The husband-and-wife duo of Shawna and Keifer Thompson rode their breakthrough single "Are You Going to Kiss Me Or Not?" to group single, new artist single and new artist video of the year awards.

"This is the first time we've won anything, so be patient," Keifer Thompson joked.

Chris Young won two awards, breakthrough artist and single of the year for "Voices," "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery was named new artist of the year and Lady Antebellum won a second straight group of the year.

Along with the night's top two honors, Aldean also was named touring artist of the year and won male single of the year for "My Kinda Party" and vocal collaboration single of the year for "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson.

Alabama won a Greatest Hits Award and Toby Keith was named artist of the decade as the most-played country star on radio over the past 10 years.

Blake Shelton won video of the year for "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking." He dedicated the win to his father, Dick, who is in the hospital with pneumonia. He then appeared to tear up at the end of his performance of "God Gave Me You."

"I want to say 'hi' to my dad back home," Shelton said. "He's been having a pretty rough couple of weeks. I know he's watching back at home and I love you, Dad, and want to dedicate this to you."

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Online:

http://www.theacas.com/

[Associated Press; By CHRIS TALBOTT]

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