The 2017 Academy of Country Music Awards opened Sunday night in Las Vegas with a medley of hits by the five nominees for Entertainer Of The Year.Jason Aldean kicked things off with Lights Come On followed by Luke Bryan, who was also on hosting duties, and then Florida Georgia Line took the stage with H.O.L.Y. that had already been announced before the telecast as Single Record Of The Year.
Carrie Underwood, the only female nominee in the Entertainer category, followed, taking the stage in silver and gold long-sleeved mini dress, then the medley concluded with guitar-playing Keith Urban.
Country star Bryan and Dierks Bentley hosted the awards show live from the T-Mobile Arena for the second year in a row.
In a surprise appearance, the two were joined on stage by Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh to perform Johnny B. Goode as a tribute to the late rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
In their opening, the pair joked about doing Vegas activities leading up to the awards show, even showing photos of them dressed as stripper-cowboys.
Illusionist David Copperfield and TV personality Nancy O'Dell presented the first award of the night - for Song Of The Year.
When O'Dell opened the envelope, it read 'Emma Stone La La Land', in a dig at the Oscars Best Picture flub.
It was left for Copperfield to work a little magic to reveal the real winner Thomas Rhett, 27, for Die A Happy Man.
He dedicated his win to his pregnant wife Lauren and said she was the inspiration for the song.
Maren Morris, named as New Female Vocalist of the Year, wore a sparkly full-length with a high front slit to perform her hit I Could Use A Love Song.
She accompanied herself on a white guitar and accessorized with a black choker.
Afterwards she was presented with her trophy and thanked fans and country music radio for the honor.
Brothers Osborne won Vocal Duo Of The Year and appeared genuinely overcome, thanking their parents for supporting them since they were babies.
Miranda Lambert, who had three nominations, took the stage solo for a rendition of Tin Man.
She wore a long-sleeved dress with long fringed sleeves and accompanied herself on the guitar.Among the stars in the audience for the show were Nicole Kidman, there to support husband Keith Urban, and Faith Hill, who was set to perform her new single with husband Tim McGraw.
Kidman got to cheer on Urban as he treated fans to his new song Blue Ain't Your Color.
He then segued seamlessly into The Fighter, his duet with Carrie Underwood.
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