Just got off the phone with three of the most important guys responsible for the most anticipated Country Music Awards show this year, the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Executive Producer and son of the beloved Dick Clark, R.A. Clark, CEO of the ACMs, Bob Romeo, and Executive Vice President of CBS Specials and Live Programming, Jack Sussman took time to speak to media outlets all over the US to discuss this year’s show, some amazing surprise performances, and some very special moments we country fans can expect to see. Broadcasting live from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on April 7th, heartthrobs Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton will put on their tuxedos (well maybe not tuxedos… in fact maybe nothing at all, who knows with those two!) like R.A. Clark boldly stated, “I’m glad we have an 8 second delay.”
The Exec’s tell us that this year will truly be an incredible experience showing off the talents of Country’s newest favorites and all-time legends. There will be performances by Hunter Hayes, Florida Georgia Line, Jana Kramer, Brantley Gilbert, The Band Perry, Little Big Town, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow and Tim McGraw… and that’s just in the first hour. The most anticipated performance will, without a doubt, be the once in a lifetime duet by the Kings of Country, George Strait and Garth Brooks. R.A. Clark says “it is a true honor to have these two guys perform and honor my Dad, and to actually have the Artist of the Decade award be placed in his name is just unbelievable – and it was actually Garth’s idea, which is an incredible honor.”
The ACM Awards will definitely be the highlight of the weekend but the amount of effort put into making this “The Weekend Vegas goes Country” is due to the overwhelming support of all the artists who truly love what they do and want to share every bit of it with the 40,000 + fans who bought tickets to this year’s the events, and the 13 million viewers who just tune in to be apart of it. In addition to the official awards show, there will also be an ACM Experience Expo at The Orleans Hotel (Las Vegas, NV), ACM Party for a Cause, Fremont Street Concerts, 2013 Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Tournament, ACM Fan Jam, ACM All-Star Jam, and a special ACM Summer Night following the awards on April 8th. (To find out more about these events visit: www.acmcountry.com or download the “Academy of Country Music” App).
More special performances to look out for will be the opening act, consisting of Blake, Luke, Miranda, the Pistol Annies, Sheryl and Brad, and later on a special combination of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and Keith Urban. Another highlight of the show CEO Bob Romeo let slip is that Hunter Hayes will be performing with his longtime idol, the great Stevie Wonder. I don’t think there is a better possible line up than all of these artists, and having them all come together to celebrate country music on one stage will be an amazing experience whether you’re watching from your couch at home or sitting in the audience. “There will undoubtedly be great country music, but most importantly just great music,” says Romeo, but what’s an award show without some comedy. CBS VP Jack Sussman commented on hosts Blake and Luke’s “BROMANCE” saying they have an “unbelievable chemistry” and “will most likely forget that they are on live television;” furthermore, he says these two will be “naturals” in the center spotlight.
If you haven’t circled April 7th on your calendar, been live tweeting #ACMs for weeks now, set up your DVR and/or booked your tickets to Vegas, you simply better get on it! This awards show is truly like no other and this year will be one for the books.
Stay tuned for more insider scoop on the ACM Awards and for an upcoming giveaway on CMP where 2 lucky fans will win an Official 48th ACM Awards ‘Zinepak – The collection pairs a 120-page magazine with 35 songs on 2 CDs including music from Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift & more.
You can also follow me @sj_mcnally on Twitter for live tweets from Las Vegas April 5th through 7th!
