Country Radio Helps Make The ACM Awards A Success

ACM Radio Award Winners

Nationally syndicated Country radio personalities BLAIR GARNER, SHAWN PARR and STORME WARREN, along with winners in the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) radio award categories and WESTWOOD ONE, played a key role in the success of the VEGAS GOES COUNTRY week, preceding the 45th Annual ACM AWARDS in LAS VEGAS on APRIL 18th. The telecast reached more than 13 million viewers and won the night in ratings for CBS-TV.

BLAIR GARNER emceed the ACADEMY’s two days of free, open-to-the-public all-star concerts held on two stages at FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE, a five-block entertainment zone in downtown LAS VEGAS. On-air talent from BEASLEY Country KCYE/LAS VEGAS and CBS Country KWNR/LAS VEGAS also co-emceed on one night each. A record 45,000 fans attended the shows on APRIL 16th and 17th, featuring performances by LADY ANTEBELLUM, MIRANDA LAMBERT, LUKE BRYAN, JOEY + RORY, GLORIANA, DANNY GOKEY, DAVID NAIL, EMILY WEST, THE BAND PERRY and RANDY ROGERS BAND.

SHAWN PARR returned for the 18th consecutive year as the official voice of the ACM AWARDS. In addition, he hosted the ACM ALL-STAR JAM after the live telecast of the AWARDS, which featured performances by JASON ALDEAN, ASH BOWERS, LUKE BRYAN, LAURA BELL BUNDY, ERIC CHURCH, BILLY CURRINGTON, JACK INGRAM, JARON & THE LONG ROAD TO LOVE, JOEY + RORY, LADY ANTEBELLUM and many more.

PARR also played a part in the Mt. WILSON BROADCASTING Country KKGO/LOS ANGELES listener poker tournament, held APRIL 17th in the MGM GRAND Poker Room. Participants, who were winners in a pre-ACM AWARDS station promotion, got to play with SHOW DOG-UNIVERSAL MUSIC artist JOE NICHOLS, with the overall winner receiving VIP fan pit tickets for the ceremony.

STORME WARREN rode in the ACM CHAIRMAN’s RIDE and emceed the USO CONCERT in partnership with ACM LIFTING LIVES on APRIL 17th at NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE. The free, private concert for the troops and their families featured DIERKS BENTLEY, LeANN RIMES, JOSH THOMPSON and USO TOUR veterans RANDY HOUSER, JAMES OTTO, ANTHONY SMITH and MONTGOMERY GENTRY, who were also honored with the ACM/THE HOME DEPOT Humanitarian Award. Over 3,000 people attended the event, which was the first-ever partnership between ACM LIFTING LIVES and the USO.

The ACM radio award winners attended a reception at the MGM GRAND on APRIL 17th, where COLUMBIA/NASHVILLE artist MIRANDA LAMBERT presented them with their trophies. Attendees included CMT RADIO LIVE’S CODY ALAN, KIIM’S BUZZ JACKSON, KIZN’S RICH SUMMERS, KMPS’ BECKY BRENNER & ERICA HALL, KNIX’S BEN CAMPBELL & MATT MCALLISTER, KSCS’ CHRIS HUFF & CARI SWARTZELL, KUZZ’S EVAN BRIDWELL, TONI MARIE & MEL OWENS, WFRE’S JESS WRIGHT, WGSQ’S GATOR HARRISON, WQDR’S JANIE CAROTHERS, BILLY DUKES, J.J. HERR, LISA MCKAY, DEDE WAKEFIELD & MIKE WHELESS, WSIX’S KEITH KAUFMAN (WINNER GERRY HOUSE, MIKE BOHAN, AL VOECKS, DUNCAN STEW ART AND RICHARD FALKEN were regretfully unable to attend), and WUSY’S JAY CRUZE, JARED STEHNEY & BRIAN STEWART. 

The radio award winners in turn surprised MIRANDA with the news that she won the ACM AWARD for “Video of the Year” for “White Liar,” presenting her with her own trophy.

WESTWOOD ONE brought out 26 radio stations from across the country to participate in radio remotes APRIL 16th and 17th. Artist who participated in the remote included DIERKS BENTLEY, BILLY CURRINGTON, LADY ANTEBELLUM, RASCAL FLATTS, REBA McENTIRE, JAKE OWEN, TAYLOR SWIFT, SUGARLAND, CARRIE UNDERWOOD and more. For all of the latest on the activities surrounding the 45th Annual ACM AWARDS, visit www.acmcountry.com.

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