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 Opening the three-hour Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards
show at a hotel less than a mile from the scene of the Oct. 1
shooting that killed 58 people and wounded more than 850, singer
Jason Aldean paid tribute to the victims and invoked the healing
power of music.
"We wanted to open the show with something that sums up what
it's like for our country music family to be back in Las Vegas
for the first time since October 1," said Aldean, who was
performing on stage when a gunman opened fire on the Route 91
Harvest country festival from the window of a hotel on the Vegas
strip.
"We thought about starting with a song, but it's a lot bigger
than a single song. It's everything you'll hear tonight," said
the "You Make It Easy" singer, who was later named entertainer
of the year.
In the most anticipated performance of the night, Underwood
emerged from five months of isolation following a fall at her
home that required 40-50 stitches to her face.
Performing her new single "Cry Pretty," her face seemed well
recovered and Underwood was welcomed back with a long standing
ovation that left the former "American Idol" winner overcome
with emotion.
"I'm still kinda shaky right now," Underwood said afterward,
fighting back tears.
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Miranda Lambert was named female vocalist of the year for the 9th
time in a row, and she also won best song for her heartbreaking
single "Tin Man," thought to be inspired by her 2015 divorce from
country star Blake Shelton.
"Thanks for sharing my broken heart with me," said Lambert,
accepting her award in front of an audience that included Shelton
and his new girlfriend, pop singer Gwen Stefani.
Lambert also made ACM history by taking her all-time wins to 32,
surpassing the record held by veteran duo Brooks & Dunn.
Other winners on Sunday included Chris Stapleton for both male
vocalist and album of the year for "From a Room: Vol. 1"; Old
Dominion for vocal group of the year, and Brothers Osborne for vocal
duo of the year.
Stapleton was not present because his wife was expecting twins. Show
host Reba McEntire, accepting the award on his behalf, broke the
news of their arrival.
"We just found out that those little rascals came a little bit
early. Hot off the press, twin boys," said McEntire.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Darren Schuettler)
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