May 17 (UPI) — Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas won song and single of the year and the Red Clay Strays nabbed Group and the Year at the 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday in Las Vegas.
With Shania Twain hosting the ACM Awards for the first time, expectations for a top-notch ceremony were high, as was the anticipation for a performance roster filled with the likes of Langley, the Strays, Kacey Musgraves and Lainey Wilson.
The star power was further reinforced with a list of award presenters including Keith Urban, Shaboozey, Ashley McBryde and other stars.
Before the show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena even began in earnest, two award winners were announced: New female artist of the year went to Avery Anna while Tucker Wetmore nabbed new male artist of the year.
The evening started with a bang as Wilson opened the proceedings with a rousing version of her new song Can’t Sit Still while dressed in a black-and-silver ensemble and backed by a bevy of dancers.
Ella Langley arrives on the red carpet at the the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday. Langley’s song “Choosin’ Texas” won both song and single of the year. Photo by James Atoa/UPI
Miranda Lambert, the most decorated artist in ACM Awards history, followed with her song Crisco which she performed beneath a rhinestone disco saddle suspended from the ceiling.
Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis followed with their No. 1 collaboration Ain’t a Bad Life in front of a forest backdrop commemorating the song’s origin during the two friends’ hunting trip.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
