Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

Toby Keith to perform Saturday on Fox’s New Year’s Eve special

Toby Keith will toast the arrival of 2012 with his “Red Solo Cup” as part of a nationally televised year-end bash.

The Oklahoma country music star will perform his popular party hit on the “American Country New Year’s Eve Live,” airing at 10 p.m. Central time Saturday on Fox.

Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, who just played his annual post-Christmas stint at Shawnee’s FireLake Grand Casino, will host the holiday special with Rick Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell of the reality TV series “Pawn Stars.”

Country stars Joe Nichols, Rodney Atkins, Lauren Alaina and Eli Young Band also are set to musically ring in the New Year on the show, while comic Howie Mandel will make an appearance to share his New Year’s resolution and offer a sneak peak of his upcoming “Mobbed” series of specials.

For most of 2011, Keith experienced his usual excellent year: He was the highest-ranking country artist on Forbes’ roster of the World’s 25 Highest-Paid Musicians, his U.S. and European tours were blockbusters, and his annual album release, “Clancy’s Tavern,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country album chart. The album’s first single, the flag-waving anthem “Made in America,” became one of the fastest-rising songs of his career as it bulleted to the top of the charts.

Overseas, the Norman resident embarked on his ninth United Service Organization Tour, and on the home front, he raised more than $650,000 for his Toby Keith Foundation at his eighth annual charity golf tournament and auction. Earlier this month, the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority approved the foundation’s plans to build the $8.5 million OK Kids Korral at NE 8 and Laird, where it will provide lodging for families with children undergoing cancer treatment at nearby facilities such as The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center.

The Clinton native opened several more of his I Love This Bar & Grill establishments, including new locations in Denver, Boston and Cincinnati, and successfully launched his own premium spirit brand, Toby Keith’s Wild Shot Mezcal.

But Keith’s fans will probably best remember 2011 as the year he toasted a familiar plastic beverage receptacle. Two months ago, he released online the music video for his raucous party anthem “Red Solo Cup,” and suddenly, Keith’s year became even more red-letter as the uproarious mini-movie went viral in a big way. Since its October release, the unedited version of the video has earned more than 7.7 million YouTube hits, and its popularity prompted Keith and his team to make it a single.

The top-15 hit has been covered on the cult favorite TV show “Glee” and spawned a holiday variation on the video, plus Keith performed it earlier this month on Fox’s American Country Awards after receiving the artist of the decade title as the country star with the most airplay over the past 10 years.

Keith has jokingly deemed “Red Solo Cup” “the most profound, intelligent thing I’ve ever done.”

“There’s nothing else out there like it, and it’s just one of those crazy things that happens sometimes in music,” Keith told The Oklahoman in a fall phone interview. “It’s just one of the craziest things we’ve ever done. And I’m having so much fun with it.”

-BAM

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Rodney Carrington to host, Toby Keith to perform on Fox’s “American Country New Year’s Eve Live”

Multi-talented Tulsa comedian and actor Rodney Carrington will stay up late to host the biggest celebration of the year and ring in 2012 on “American Country New Year’s Eve Live,” airing at 10 p.m. Oklahoma time on Fox.

Carrington, and co-hosts Rick Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell of the reality TV show “Pawn Stars,” will help count down to 2012 during the year-end party featuring some of country’s biggest and brightest musical stars.

Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith will perform his raucous party anthem and latest top-15 single “Red Solo Cup” during the show.

Joe Nichols, Lauren Alaina and Rodney Atkins will rock the Las Vegas strip on the show. The year-end festivities also will feature a performance by Eli Young Band. Howie Mandel will make a special appearance to share his New Year’s resolution and offer a sneak peak of his upcoming “Mobbed” series of specials, airing Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 on Fox.

Carrington is a comedian, actor, singer and writer who has recorded eight comedy albums that have sold more than three million copies. His album “Morning Wood” has been certified gold and his “Greatest Hits” recently was certified platinum. Carrington starred for two seasons on his own TV sitcom “Rodney,” and co-wrote and co-starred with Keith in the feature film “Beer for My Horses.”

According to Pollstar, Carrington was one of the Top Five highest-grossing touring comedians in the past five years, and he consistently has been in the top 10 over the past 10 years. He regularly performs to sold-out crowds across the U.S. and Canada. On Monday and Tuesday, he planned his annual post-Christmas stint at Shawnee’s FireLake Grand Casino.

Harrison, who is currently starring on “Pawn Stars,” is the owner-operator of Las Vegas’ World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a family business. Trained in the pawn business from the age of 13, Harrison was born a hustler. He dropped out of high school to sell fake handbags, and later, with enough money to partner with his father, he opened the Gold & Silver, where his son also works. Harrison is the author of “License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver.”

Russell stars on “Pawn Stars,” working at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop for the Harrison family. Having been around the shop since he was a kid, Chumlee’s heart of gold makes him a pro at customer service, and he always wants to give his patrons the best deal.

-BAM

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Live blog: 2011 American Country Awards

7:00 p.m.: Co-host Trace Adkins, dressed in his usual all black, is performing one of his past smashes, “Honkatonk Badonkadonk” while a group of female dancers shake theirs around him. Carrie Underwood is singing along in the crowd. “Now for something completely different,” he says as the dancers shimmy offstage and he starts crooning “Just Fishin’.” Now the dancers are back, the electric guitars are rocking again, and Trace is doing “Ladies Love Country Boys.” The ladies end by surrounding him like a harem, while Trace intones “thank you ladies.” It’s an odd little medley, but if this show is anything like last year, that will be par for the course for the still-young ACAs.

7:05: Trace says he hosted the show last year and thought he did a pretty good job, but the “network people” didn’t feel like he followed the rules or the prompter too well. So they gave him a “co-host” to “keep him in line,” he says, noting that anyone trying to him in line is an opponent because those are fighting words. So 4’11″ Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth comes out with boxing gloves and a robe and starts dancing around him throwing punches. “Watch the below-the-belt stuff,” he says. “I have no choice but to go below the belt,” she says, showing off her slogan on her robe “Four Feet of Fury.” She is having him pull off her gloves so she can get her hands on “country’s sexiest man,” as determined by Country Weekly, and he tells her to stop it.

7:09: She’s challenging him to a singoff, winner gets to host, loser goes home to Louisiana. She’s bragging that she’s from Oklahoma and challenging him to sing “Oklahoma!” for the first round. “You’re pretty comfortable with those jazz hands you could be on Broadway.” He challenges her to sing “Honkytonk Badonkadonk,” so she throws off her robe to reveal a prodigiously padded rear and sings it in her best opera voice, with some guy dancers. “So it looks like I’m staying.” “This ain’t over yet, Chenoweth.” This is silly but it’s kind of fun too.

7:11: Josh Turner and Jordin Sparks are going to present the first award, which will honor some of country’s top ladies. But first the “American Idol” contender is asking Josh to sing one of his songs. That deep voice is pretty se

Single of the Year: Female

Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”

*Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”

*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”

Taylor Swift, “Mean”

*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

xy and all the girls including Jordin are singing along. Of course, we’re not getting all these awards distributed very quickly.

Anyway, they’re gonna present single of the year: female to one of these fine ladies:

7:14: Winner: Carrie Underwood for “Mama’s Song.” “First off, I don’t even know what to do about that intro, that was awesome,” the Checotah says as she holds the commemorative guitar, which is given in lieu of a trophy at the ACAs. She’s effusively thanking the country fans for their support. I believe Carrie won 6 or so awards at the first ACAs, so we could see a lot more of her tonight. Of course, since she got her break on Fox’s “American Idol,” she maybe has a bit of a homefield advantage.

7:19: The Band Perry, who were just nominated for the Grammy for best new artist, are performing their latest hit “All Your Life” while the fans in the crowd wave glow sticks. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were able to win that Grammy, they are so hot right now. Kimberly is even rocking a dress with a tulle skirt that looks like it escaped relatively unscathed from 1989.

7:23: Kristin Chenoweth announces that they will be awarding an Artist of the Decade, based on MediaBase’s assessment of the most-played artist of the past 10 years. They’ll be counting down throughout the show the top 10 most-played artists, with the No. 1 getting the prize and performing live. No. 10 is Keith Urban, and No. 9 is Brad Paisley.

Didn’t they give an artist of the decade award on this show last year?

7:25: Comedian Bill Engvall and “Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina are up to tell us a bit about the Telecaster guitars they’re giving away. Bill and Lauren fumble the hand-off and drop the nice guitar to the floor, but they’re still gonna name the single of the year winner. I think Thompson Square (including Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson) has a great shot here:

Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”

Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”

*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

Chris Young, “Voices”

Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

7:27: Winner: Chris Young for “Voices,” and he’s treating us to a performance of his winning song, which I absolutely adore. Plus, Keifer and wife Shawna of Thompson Square have 6 more chances tonight to win a guitar.

7:29: As Chris finishes up his performance and begins thanking the usual suspects, the announcer says he’s also been named breakthrough artist of the year. Good for him.

7:35: Two unbelievable things just happened at the ACAs: Garth Brooks, who has released maybe one single this millennium, is No. 8 on that artist of the decade countdown. And Trace just came out carrying Kristin on his chest in a big baby carrying, quipping, “I knew I’d end up carrying you on this show.”

They’re quickly tossing it to rodeo legend Larry Mahan, GAC personality Storme Warren and up-and-coming singer Hunter Hayes. They’re gonna present music video of the year

Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”

Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”

*Blake Shelton, “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking”

*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”

7:39: Winner: Blake Shelton, who also wins music video by a male artist. Blake is saying hi to his dad back home because he’s had a rough couple of weeks, so he’s dedicating the award to his dad and telling him he loves him. Aw.

7:40: Eli Young Band is on to perform “Crazy Girl,” which has helped elevate them to a whole new level of success. It’s nice to see some Texas country represented here.

7:46: Rascal Flatts is listed as No. 7 on the artist of the decade list. And now Trace is getting some script changes from Kristin, and the wrestler Big Show shows up to make sure her co-host does just what she wants. He’s introducing the men of “Pawn Stars” per her instructions, and they show up holding that broken guitar claiming Bill Engvall tried to sell it to them for $500. They’re reading the canned lead-up to the album of the year noms with varying degrees of painfulness. Here are the noms:

Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”

Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”

Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”

Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”

Keith Urban, “Get Closer”

Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”

7:49: Winner: Jason Aldean, who gets an undamaged guitar. He notes “it’s been a hell of year,” and he’s certainly been on a hot streak. But I think Paisley should have won in this category. Jason notes that he’s proudest this year that more than 1 million fans came out to his shows. He’s coming to OKC in the new year if you want to see him live.

7:50: Trace appears in a neck brace, and Kristin, in an extremely low-cut green dress, is apologizing for having the biggest athlete in the world brutally body slam him. “You’re right, this is our show, we can do whatever the hell we want,”as she yanks off the neck brace. “I like your style, Chenoweth, I’m gonna let you be my co-host.” Now that that is settled, they’re introducing the amazing duo of Pistol Annies: Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Angeleena Presley and Ashley Monroe are in matching black outfits as they croon their smoking first single “Hell on Heels.” Love them so much.

7:58: Brooks & Dunn is No. 7 on the artist of the decade countdown, and Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington, who has been playing Vegas and will be playing his annual post-Christmas shows at Firelake Grand in Shawnee soon, is with The JaneDear Girls. They’re going to present the new artist of the year prize. Here are the options:

The Band Perry

Scotty McCreery

Jerrod Niemann

*Pistol Annies

*Thompson Square

8:00: Winner: “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, whose debut album has already gone gold, is the performing his new single “The Trouble with Girls” to mark his second big win on Fox. Carrie is nodding along as he croons. It’s amazing that a guy that young sounds so grown up; no matter how many times I hear him sing, I’m still kind of startled by it. “Thank y’all so much. It’s my first award, and it’s a dad-gum Telecaster.” He’s thanking the usual suspects, putting his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first, and giving a birthday shout-out to his mom. If he were any sweeter, the kid would be Tim Tebow.

8:08: The duo Love and Theft are revealing No. 5 on the artist of the decade countdown, Alan Jackson, and Kristin Chenoweth is chatting with her fellow Oklahoma girl Carrie Underwood, noting that she’s perfect “just like my girls from Oklahoma.” “Sometimes awards show put people together that go together; this is not o

The Band Perry, “You Lie”

*Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait”

Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”

*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”

ne of those times.” The Big Show is back, with NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little, and their chatting about their jobs while the wrestler points out her “Olympic conditioning” in her sleek purple gown.

They’re going to present single of the year by a group. Here are the noms:

8:12: Winner: Thompson Square, who are performing their winning, breakthrough, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling ballad. It’s been a ginormous year for this husband-and-wife team. The couple also won best single by a new artist and best video by a new artist. “Thank y’all very much. This is the first we’ve ever won anything, so be patient with us,” Keifer said. He’s thanking God for making it such a blessed year for them.

8:20: Artist of the decade countdown continues with George Strait at No. 4, and with Kristin Chenoweth pretending to be the dummy to Trace’s fake ventriloquist. “How do you like the show so far?” Trace asks. “I’d like it better if I was sitting on Blake Shelton’s lap,” she said in a voice that’s more like a robot. But she can’t because Blake – who got huge cheers earlier when he won his music video honors – is going to croon his latest hit, “God Gave Me You.” Love this Okie, and I’m glad to see he’s finally achieving the level of success he deserves. And Miranda is singing along to the song, which he recorded for her and earned a Grammy nomination for the songwriter, Dave Barnes, to boot. It’s a gorgeous performance, and I love it when we get to see romantic Blake and not just crazy-funny Blake.

8:29: Artist of the decade countdown continues with Kenny Chesney at No. 3. Since I bet my boots that Toby Keith is No. 1, this list is awfully male-dominated. NASCAR star Kyle Busch, who’s giving a shoutout to his smoking hot wife, is going to present the female artist of the year:

Sara Evans

Alison Krauss

*Miranda Lambert

Taylor Swift

*Carrie Underwood

8:31: Winner: Carrie Underwood, who also wins music video of the year by a female for “Mama’s Song.” She is thanking her fans, specifically her fan club, and promising an amazing 2012. She also says she loves and misses her hubby Mike, then apologizing because his teammates are gonna make fun of him for that later.

8:32: Trace says he’s been pretending that he doesn’t want to listen to his co-host but that’s just an act, and he’s introducing her singing her sassy country single “I Didn’t.” She’s letting her Okie accent and full-blown feisty out as she dedicates the song to her ex-boyfriend. No question her voice is amazing, but I think the Broken Arrow native is trying a little too hard with her performance, particularly with the “yee haw.” Of course, the last time I saw her perform “I Didn’t Live,” it was in front of 2,000 people – about a fourth of them relatives or friends and all of them fellow Okies and fans – at her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction in Muskogee. So that could just be my perception based on a show in which she was definitely at home and ease.

8:39: The artist of the decade countdown is almost over with Tim McGraw getting the No. 2 spot. They’re going to give the Hits Award, which last year went to Alan Jackson, and since ACA male artist Brad Paisley is doing the intro via video, it’s safe to say the winner is going to be Alabama. The legendary band is getting a standing O as they take the stage to play a medley of their hits including “Tennessee River,” “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” and “Mountain Music” that has everyone in the crowd singing along. It is so amazing to see this band playing their hits, and the crowd is just adoring every minute. Like most of the people there, I grew up with this band’s music. What great players, every one!

8:45: Trace is presenting the Greatest Hits Award to Alabama, saying the first concert he ever attended featured the band, who was “the greatest then and they’re still the greatest now.” He literally takes his hat off to the band, who then figuratively tips their hats to the fans and to the military members who keep Americans free to play and listen to the music of their choice. I notice that one of the band members is wearing a big slogan “We’re Back” on the back of his shirt. Awesome.

8:49: I’m betting that Okie Toby Keith is No. 1 on the artist of the decade countdown, though I may well be wrong. If that’s the case, the list will not have included a single female. If that’s the case, it’s just shameful.

8:51: Miranda Lambert, who is the first country artist to have her first four albums go No. 1, is looking quite sexy in a black dress covered in rectangular golden beads, and she’s going to present the artist of the year award. I’m disappointed that her honey isn’t in the running here, but here are the candidates:

Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney

Lady Antebellum

Taylor Swift

Zac Brown Band

8:53: Winner: Jason Aldean, who comments, “This is getting ridiculous.” Yep, it sure is because that’s not all he’s won. He also gets:

Album and single of the year by a male artist for “My Kinda Party.”

Single and music video of the year by group/duo/collaboration for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.

That brings his total ACA wins to 6. Wow. What a year.

8:56: Trace and Kristin (who looks stunning her long golden and black dress) are presenting the artist of the decade honor to … Toby Keith, who comes out to his tune “I Wanna Talk About Me.” “Hell, anybody can have a good decade, right?” TK quips before going on to thank the fans. Before he performs his new smash “Red Solo Cup” for the first time, Stephen Colbert pays tribute to TK as the “pop of Nashville” in a taped message. Love that TK won, and my disappointment that there were ZERO women on the countdown is being drowned in the catchiness of “Red Solo Cup.” Everyone out in the crowd – from the fans to the stars – are holding the plasticware in question, and Toby Keith is so into this song, he just goofed on the lyrics. He is totally selling this ridiculous song! “You’re my friend!”

9:00: all the presenters along with Trace and Kristin join TK on stage to toast and drink from their red Solo cups, with Trace contributing to the lyrics and Kristin pretending to coach one of the guitar players.

It’s a fun way to end the show, and a handy way for Fox to promote that “Red Solo Cup” will be performed on Tuesday’s new episode of its cult favorite show “Glee.”

Thanks for following my live blog tonight. As usual, I’ll have more coverage to come soon. And if you’re drinking from a red Solo cup, please be safe and smart about it!

-BAM

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Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and more nominated for American Country Awards

Hot new duo Thompson Square are set to light up the second annual American Country Awards.

The husband-and-wife pair, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, will view for seven commemorative guitars, which are given in lieu of trophies at the ACAs. Other artists with Oklahoma ties nominated include Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.

The fan-voted awards show will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday on Fox. Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth will co-host the show with country star Trace Adkins, who hosted the inaugural show solo. The ACAs are billed as the only country music awards show that “gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.”

Thompson Square is nominated for Artist of the Year: New Artist and will compete for overall Single of the Year, Single of the Year: Duo or Group, Single of the Year: New Artist, overall Music Video of the Year, Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration and Music Video: New Artist on the strength of their smash “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.”

Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert’s new all-girl trio Pistol Annies also will contend for the Artist of the Year: New Artist award. As a solo artist, Lambert is nominated for Artist of the Year: Female and Single of the Year: Female for “Heart Like Mine,”

Lambert’s husband and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton is nominated for Artist of the Year: Male along with overall Music Video of the Year and Music Video: Male for “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking.”

Checotah native Carrie Underwood is nominated for Artist of the Year: Female; Touring Headline Act of the Year; and Single of the Year: Female and Music Video: Female for “Mama’s Song.”

Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, also is nominated for Single of the Year: Female and Music Video: Female for “Turn on the Radio.”

Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, will vie for Artist of the Year: Duo or Group; Single of the Year: Duo or Group for “Why Wait”; and Touring Headline Act of the Year.

Norman resident Toby Keith also is nominated for Touring Headline Act of the Year.

Performers for the second ACAs will include Keith, Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Chenoweth, Adkins, Alabama, Scotty McCreery, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry.4

The show also will include appearances by Lambert, Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, Lauren Alaina, Josh Turner, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall, Larry Mahan and the men of the reality TV show “Pawn Stars.”

Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band each earned a leading eight nominations for this year’s ACAs.

-BAM

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Carrie Underwood wins six prizes at inaugural American Country Awards

Carrie Underwood was named the first-ever American Country Awards artist of the year tonight, as Fox debuted its fan-voted country music awards show live from Las Vegas.

The Checotah native earned five other prizes at the inaugural ACAs, including female artist of the year, touring artist of the year, album of the year for “Play On” and single and music of the year by a female artist for “Cowboy Casanova.” She was lucky in Vegas, winning all six awards for which she was nominated.

“I’d like to thank God for giving all the artists, all the people in this room, and all the fans watching back home and myself the biggest love for the best music in the world, country music,” Underwood said, cradling the Fender Stratocaster guitars the ACAs handed out in lieu of trophies.

“We have had the most amazing year out on the road, and of course, we wouldn’t be doing anything if there weren’t people sitting out there in the audience. So to everybody that came out to see us (or) anybody else out here, you guys are awesome supporting us like you do. God bless the fans.”

It was the second time this year Underwood has taken home the top prize at a country music awards show. She was named entertainer of the year at April’s Academy of Country Music Awards, also staged inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas.

Both are fan-voted prizes, proving the 2005 “American Idol” winner still knows how to marshal her fervent fan base when it comes time to cast ballots.

The ACAs became the fourth country music awards show of the year, after the ACMs, June’s Country Music Television Awards and last month’s Country Music Association Awards.

The new show experienced obvious growing pains, with some of its numerous performances cut short as it came close to running over its two-hour time slot. Although she won six awards, Underwood took the stage only once; Brad Paisley’s male artist of the year win wasn’t even announced on air.

Ada native Blake Shelton, who gave the opening performance, and show host Trace Adkins earned the music video and music video by a male artist prizes for the mini-movie to their raucous chart-topping duet “Hillbilly Bone.” But the ornery host informed Shelton that the show was over on time and proceeded to thank the Tishomingo resident’s fans, fiancee Miranda Lambert and himself on Shelton’s behalf.

When Adkins gave Shelton the chance to say one thank you, the befuddled Oklahoman jokingly expressed his gratitude for air.

Norman resident Toby Keith was honored as a Video Visionary and played his cinematic new single “Bullets in the Gun.” Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, earned the Decade Award, and the band performed a medley of its hits.

Venerable star Alan Jackson also played a medley of a few of his 34 chart-toppers before accepting the Greatest Hits honor.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady Antebellum went into the show tied with a leading seven nominations each. Lady A won group of the year along with single of the year, single by a group and music video by a group for the smash “Need You Now.”

Corbin earned three Fenders for breakthrough artist, along with single and music video by a breakthrough artist for his hit “A Little More Country Than That.”

Josh Turner garnered the single of the year by a male artist for the country radio favorite “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”

Other stars with Oklahoma ties to earn ACA nominations included Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, and Reba McEntire, who performed her latest hit “Turn on the Radio.” Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington was one of the show’s presenters.

For more on the American Country Awards, go to my live blog of the event by clicking here.

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2010 American Country Awards winners

Fox handed out its inaugural American Country Awards in rather convoluted fashion tonight in a show broadcast live at MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Vegas proved lucky for Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who went into the fan-voted ACAs with six nominations and came out perfect, winning six awards, including artist of the year.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady Antebellum each earned a leading seven nominations. Corbin won three prizes, while Lady A earned four.

Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert and Josh Turner each received five nominations. Turner gained one award. Lambert, who has been on a white-hot streak, experienced a rare shutout, but she got to cheer here fiance and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton to two awards.

Here is the full winners list. Oklahomans are marked with an *:

ARTIST AWARDS
Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
WINNER: *Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band

Male Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
WINNER: Brad Paisley
Keith Urban

Female Artist of the Year
Jewel
*Miranda Lambert
*Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
WINNER: *Carrie Underwood

Lady Antebellum (AP file)

Duo/Group Artist of the Year
WINNER: Lady Antebellum
*Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
WINNER: Easton Corbin
Danny Gokey
Jaron and The Long Road To Love
Jerrod Niemann
The Band Perry

Touring Artist of the Year
*Brooks & Dunn
*Toby Keith
Martina McBride & Trace Adkins
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
*Rascal Flatts
*George Strait & Reba McEntire
Sugarland
Taylor Swift
WINNER: *Carrie Underwood

ALBUM AWARD
Album of the Year
“Doin’ My Thing,” Luke Bryan
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
*“Revolution,” Miranda Lambert
“Haywire,” Josh Turner
WINNER: *“Play On,” Carrie Underwood

SINGLE AWARDS
Single of the Year
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
WINNER: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

Single of the Year by a Male Artist
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Billy Currington
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
WINNER: “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

Single of the Year by a Female Artist
*“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
“Wrong Baby Wrong,” Martina McBride
*“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
WINNER: *“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood

Single of the Year by a Duo or Group
WINNER: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
*“Unstoppable,” Rascal Flatts
“Keep On Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Toes,” Zac Brown Band

Single of the Year by a Breakthrough Artist
WINNER: “Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Pray for You,” Jaron and The Long Road To Love
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Beer on the Table,” Josh Thompson

VIDEO AWARDS
Music Video of the Year
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
WINNER: *“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young

Music Video by a Male Artist
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Southern Voice,” Tim McGraw
WINNER: *“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young

Music Video by a Female Artist
*“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
*“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
WINNER: *“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood
“Work Hard, Play Harder,” Gretchen Wilson

Music Video by a Duo or Group
WINNER: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“American Honey,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Highway 20 Ride,” Zac Brown Band

Music Video by a Breakthrough Artist
“Giddy On Up,” Laura Bell Bundy
WINNER: “A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“If I Die Young,” The Band Perry

SPECIAL AWARDS
Greatest Hits Award
Alan Jackson

Decade Award
* Rascal Flatts

Video Visionary Award
* Toby Keith

-BAM

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Live blog: First American Country Awards

7:00 p.m.: The inaugural American Country Awards are starting with a skit, in which towering country star Trace Adkins refuses to wear meat chaps (a Lady Gaga joke that Brad Paisley already made at last month’s CMA Awards), declines to ride in a tiny car and looks for “trophy girls” with “Honky Tonk Badonkadonks.” Trace is saying he’s not going to do a monologue, adding “It’s a live show, what are they gonna do, fire me?” He’s introducing his pal Blake Shelton, who won male vocalist at “some other awards show.” That also would be the CMAs.

Again, someone please explain to me what we’re doing back here? Oh, yeah, the CMA’s topped the weekly ratings for ABC and Fox wants a piece of that action. Cheesy skit opening is not the way to make awards show greatness.

7:05: OK, so I’m not sold on the ACA’s but it’s a great opportunity to showcase Oklahoma’s country talent, starting with Blake, who is inviting people who don’t like his Tishomingo lifestyle to “Kiss My Country A–.” His “fiancy” Miranda Lambert is singing along in the crowd. It is totally their year.

7:06: Miranda’s got purple feathers on one shoulder of her gown. Wonder which one of them shot the donor bird.

7:07: Bret Michaels, whose played country music in his time, is taking the stage to be the first presenter at the ACA’s. After the year he has survived, he deserves it. He’s going to give out the breakthrough artist award, which I’m betting will go to The Band Perry or Easton Corbin. Here are the nominees:

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Easton Corbin
Danny Gokey
Jaron and The Long Road To Love
Jerrod Niemann
The Band Perry

7:09: Winner: Easton Corbin wins the first-ever, ever, ever ACA. I thought maybe The Band Perry’s young and enthusiastic fan base might wrangle enough mouse clicks, but no, the neo-traditionalist hitmaker wins it.

OK, that’s new. He’s not even giving a speech. Instead, Bret is kicking it over to the side stage, where Easton and band are performing his breakout hit “A Little More Country Than That.”

Are the ACAs going to eliminate acceptance speeches in favor of just letting the winners perform? Could it be? If that is the case, then the ACAs just may be the best awards show ever.

7:16: Trace is allowing the trophy girls to pat him down because they saw his full-body scan and decided he needed it. “Take your time and be thorough, ladies. I’m very patriotic. God Bless America.” Silly but funny.

7:17: OK, so good news and bad news: Instead of trophies, the winners get silver Fender guitars, which is fairly awesome. The bad news: Instead of giving speeches, they will be interviewed by Nancy O’Dell. So they are giving speeches at her prompting. Sigh. Easton is thanking the usual suspects, with emphasis on the fans who voted for him. It’s a fine speech but I thought we just might be off the hook. No such luck.

7:19: Lady Antebellum is honoring Rascal Flatts with the Country Group of the Decade prize, which honors the band for a decade of awards and hits. Lady A is introducing the band, which includes guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Picher, to perform a medley of their hits, including “These Days,” “God Bless the Broken Road” and “What Hurts the Most.”

Not a big fan of the medleys. Or of upstart new awards shows giving out decade awards. That doesn’t make much sense. Shouldn’t your show have to be around a decade before it honors a band that’s been around for a decade? OK, shouldn’t it at least be on the air for more than 30 minutes before tossing around phrases like “group of the decade”?

7:27: The crowd gives Rascal Flatts a standing ovation. Joe Don Rooney thanks his parents for supporting his crazy music dream and then takes the honorary Fender Strat away, saying “You’re not a guitar player, give me that.” Jay DeMarcus declares “What a way to start our second decade.” Congratulations to the band on receiving the first ACA Decade Award, even if the show hasn’t even been around an hour yet.

7:42: Trace is reminding everyone to remember the troops and kicking it to a live video feed of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where he performed recently on an USO tour. So that’s a nice touch.

Apparently, the National Finals Rodeo has been happening in Las Vegas this week, so it’s a perfect opportunity for nominee Jewel and her “sexy cowboy husband” Ty Murray to give out the top single by a male artist prize. Here are the options:

7:33: Joe Nichols, Jennette McCurdy and Jaron & the Long Road to Love are coming from all over the arena and converging onstage to introduce the Grammy-nominated Band Perry. The trio is going to perform it’s No. 1 country song in the land, “If I Die Young.” I’m sort of warming up to this sibling act, but it will be interesting to see if they have more than just one admittedly well-penned song in them.

7:37: Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and his puppet Bubba J are coming on for their first live show update. They’re having mike issues. Since Bubba J is my least favorite Jeff Dunham character, I’m not that sorry. I say let’s get Achmed the Dead Terrorist out for the next one. From what I could catch of the glitchy break just now, it seems that Toby Keith is going to be honored as a video visionary.

7:39: I’m really starting to like Carrie Underwood’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” song. It makes me want to see the movie, so it’s done its job. Fox is probably going to run that trailer at least 50 more times tonight.

Single of the Year by a Male Artist
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Billy Currington
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

7:45: Winner: Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” And here’s the deep-voiced cutie to perform it with his band and a couple of swing dancers. He sounds great. One plus for the ACAs so far is we’re seeing artists that don’t get to play the other country awards show perform. Band Perry only did a snippet of “If I Die Young” at the CMAs, and Josh and Easton are totally new. Rascal Flatts so far are the only performers who usually play these things.

7:52: Nancy says that Josh’s song is the most-played song on country radio this year. Josh is thanking God and his wife, who is home pregnant with his third boy, along with his producers, country radio and the fans. To be specific he thanked country radio for “playing the crap out of this song.” I guess that’s a compliment?

7:55: They’re awkwardly kicking it over to Vegas illusionist Criss Angel, who doesn’t exactly blend, but he’s going to present the Video Visionary Award to someone who is not afraid to take chances, not afraid to poke fun at himself and not afraid to take on controversial topics. Again, it’s another Okie done good: Here comes a medley of Toby Keith’s video highlights, from “As Good As I Once Was,” “Trailerhood,” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” “American Ride,” etc.

Toby’s going to play the song to his latest video “Bullets in the Gun.” I have to say it’s one of my faves of his, and as promised, the cinematic video is playing in the background. And there’s a horn section in the background, too. Huh. Not sure that it goes with the song any more than the Mindfreak goes with this show, but I guess the ACAs are trying to mix it up a bit. Or maybe Toby is. Anyway, the fans in the audience don’t seem to mind the random three-man brass section.

8:00: Toby is thanking his God, the ACAs, his manager and video director Michael Salomon, along with Show Dog-Universal, “my little label back in town.” He’s hoping everyone has fun in Vegas. I still think the whole Fender Strat as trophy concept is cool, and I’m happy for Toby for winning one.

8:05: “We’re running over, shut up,” Trace says. Don’t know if that will work, but it made me laugh. He also notes that he ditched the suit because “this thing seems kinda loose.” He’s now in a leather fringed jacket and black boots and he’s introducing another Okie who “when she hosts, she knows how to behave.” Is is really a good idea to keep referencing other country awards shows?

Anyway, Reba is taking the stage to sing “Turn on the Radio,” and as usual, she can belt it with the best of them. She’s dressed all in black, including some epic knee-high boots. In the audience, Blake and Miranda are singing along, and so is Carrie Underwood. Who doesn’t love this woman?

8:09: Standing O and lots of smiles for Reba. As it should be. Jeff Dunham and Bubba J are back. “This is the best Soul Train Awards ever,” Bubba J declares. “And Reba McEntire is awesome.” Bubba says that when he was talking to Reba backstage, she and her hair looked awful. “Bubba J, you were talking to Carrot Top.” The Carrot doffs his black Stetson, and indeed, his red mop his truly bad. At least he’s a good sport about it.

8:12: Trace is posing with another bevy of beauties, and now he’s kicking it to Uncle Kracker to sing “D— It’s Good to Be Me.” I guess since Kid Rock isn’t here, Uncle K is filling the roll of the pseudo-country, sort-of-Southern-rock performer for the ACAs.

8:14: Wow, they cut that performance way short. It’s a must. They’re more than halfway through and have given out two awards. You know, there are three other country awards shows they could’ve watched and used to model this show.

8:17: Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington is wearing a ginormous sombrero and a fake mustache. He’s cracking jokes about his outfit, but he’s more on the mark with his comments that there are so many country music awards shows because country stars are generally insecure and if they don’t meet for awards every few weeks they just shrivel up and blow away. “And then we’ll be left with nothing but rap and everyone’s tired of that crap.” Rodney’s apparently there not as a sight gag – which is good because that wasn’t that funny – but to introduce Keith Urban performing “Put You in a Song” by satellite from Dallas. This show is already running way long, do we really need to pipe in performances from other locations?

8:22: Jerrod Niemann and Laura Bell Bundy are introducing duo Steel Magnolia to sing “Keep on Loving You.” Again, it’s a good idea for the ACAs to feature performers who don’t usually get a showcase on other awards shows, but you’ve got to give out more than two awards per 90 minutes, especially if you’re aiming for a two-hour show.

8:29: Kaley Cuoco of “Big Bang Theory” is here to introduce the Greatest Hits honoree Alan Jackson using the title of some of his 34 hits. She is repeatedly cracking herself up with the cheesiness of this gimmick. And does Fox have so few hit shows that they’re bringing in network shills from CBS? Sad. Anyway, Alan has taken the stage, which normally would mean an instant improvement of most any country venue, but it’s another medley of “Chasing That Neon Rainbow,” “Daddy Let Me Drive,” “Remember When,” “Good Time,” etc. Again, not a fan of the medley concept.

8:36: At least they are giving some time for Alan to sing “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning.” It would be pretty tacky to cut this one to one line like “Five O’clock Somewhere.” At least they’re being respectful of the subject matter. And to Alan with the deserved standing O, even if he was forced into medley mode. He can barely give his speech for all the cheers. “I’d just like to say I love America and country music has been America’s real music all these years. And I’m proud to have been a part of that for all these years.” Short and sweet.

8:38: Now, Bubba J is wearing a blond wig and claiming he’s Alan Jackson because he looks just like her. He claims to know so much about Alan from Wiki Leaks and he’s oing that weird eye thing. This is not Jeff Dunham’s night, mostly because he’s working with one of his weakest characters.

8:40: Trace says that the director told him in rehearsals that there wasn’t enough time to include this next award, which he happens to be nominated for. “So we had a discussion, and I’m pleased to report he’s recovering nicely.” He then tells Blake Shelton to get up there because they have won for “Hillbilly Bone.” He then says that because they’re running behind on time, he’s going to do the thank yous for Blake, quickly thanking the fans, God, his label, Miranda and himself “although not in that order, because I was last.” He then tells Blake he can thank one person, so a surprised Blake decides to thank “air.” This is just getting plain silly. I think this is the award they’re talking about, but I’m not totally sure:

Music Video by a Male Artist
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Southern Voice,” Tim McGraw
*“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young

Winner: “Hillbilly Bone.” I think that’s what just happened.

8:45: Lee Ann Womack and a couple of NASCAR guys are presenting best group of the year. Here are the possibles:

Duo/Group Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum
*Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

8:47: Winner: Apparently, Lady A has won this award along with single of the year, single by a group, music video by a group, and group of the year, all for “Need You Now.” They’re quickly thanking all the usual suspects for their big year. I guess we’re handing out these awards in batches now.

8:48: And now Trace and his harem are rapidly kicking it to the newest superstar Jason Aldean, who is performing “My Kinda Party.” And he’s got his fellow Georgia boy and tourmate Luke Bryan turning this party into a duet. Sounds good. Notice they’re not cutting that one short.

8:50: Just saw a note come up on the screen that they’re handing out artist of the year awards in the next three minutes. Could this show been paced any worse? Honestly, if they wanted to do a country concert special and give out free Fender Strats along the way, people probably would have jumped on board as willingly to that as to another awards show.

8:52: I guess after this is over, I’ll do a little online research to find out who won the ACAs. Yeah, I can’t believe I just typed that, either.

8:55: Reba, fix it please. She’s giving out the artist of the year award to one of these five nominees. Let’s go Miranda!

Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band

8:56: Winner: Carrie Underwood, who looks radiant in the gorgeous red off-one-shoulder gown. Apparently, this is one of six ACAs that the Checotah native is taking home with her. She’s cradling her Strat, and she’s giving a very nice thanks to the fans for supporting the best kind of music in the world. Congratulations to Carrie! Miranda, Blake and Lady A have gotten lots of attention this year, but Carrie has been having a great 2010, too.

8:58: Trace declares “this show ain’t over til I sing” and threatening, um, retribution if they roll the credits while he’s performing “This Ain’t No Love Song.” Cheekily, the producers run a few joking credits, thanking Trace for being such a “cooperative” host and noting that they saw his full-body airport scan and weren’t impressed. They also note that no animals or trophy girls were harmed during this production, though all the country fans who turned into such a poorly planned event definitely were harmed.

9:01: So the credits have actually rolled – yes, while Trace was singing – and the first ACAs are done. Now, I have to go find out who won so I can share that info with you. I think that was the worst awards show ever, but at least it finished pretty much on time. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the ACAs actually made me look forward to the butt-numbing ordeal that is the Oscars. They never finish on time, but at least they don’t resort to such insane measures in order to preserve the 9 o’clock news. Sheesh.

-BAM

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First American Country Awards to be handed out tonight; follow live blog here

The inaugural American Country Awards will be handed out tonight amid the dazzling neon of the Las Vegas strip, and many of Oklahoma’s brightest stars in the genre are set to do the shining.

The fan-voted American Country Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas at 7 tonight on Fox.

Several country music stars with Oklahoma ties are competing for, performing at or appearing on the first-ever American Country Awards.

Checotah native Carrie Underwood earned six nominations, including artist, female artist and touring artist of the year. Her hit “Cowboy Casanova” is up for top single and music video by a female artist, and her “Play On” is nominated for album of the year.

Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, garnered five nominations, including artist, female artist and album of the year for “Revolution.” Her chart-topper “White Liar” got two nods, for best single and music video by a female artist.

Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, snared four nominations, including female artist and touring artist of the year for her superstar tour with George Strait. Her hit “Consider Me Gone” is nominated for top single and music video by a female artist.

Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, got nods for duo/group and touring artist of the year, along with top single by a duo/group for the anthem “Unstoppable.”

Lambert’s fiance and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins share nominations for music video of the year and best video by a male artist for the mini-movie to their No. 1 duet “Hillbilly Bone.”

Recently split duo Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, received a nomination for touring artist of the year; the pair ended their two-decade musical partnership over the summer with their “Last Rodeo Tour.” Also nominated in the touring artist category is Norman resident Toby Keith.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady Antebellum each earned a leading seven nominations.

In addition, Keith, Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Reba will perform on the new awards show, along with Corbin, Josh Turner, Steel Magnolia and Uncle Kracker. Adkins will perform and host the show, while Alan Jackson will play the event and receive the Greatest Hits Award.

The inaugural two-hour show also will feature appearances by Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, music stars Laura Bell Bundy, Jewel, Lady Antebellum and Bret Michaels; rodeo standout Ty Murray; comic/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham; and NASCAR drivers Michael Waltrip and Elliott Sadler.

Fox is billing the American Country Awards as the first country music awards show in which fans vote for the winners in both music and video categories, along with previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring.

Follow my live blog of the American Country Awards starting at 7 tonight here at BAM’s Blog.

-BAM

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Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, other Oklahoma stars to shine at first American Country Awards

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

Oklahoma stars to shine at inaugural American Country Awards

The inaugural American Country Awards will be handed out amid the dazzling neon of the Las Vegas strip, but many of Oklahoma’s brightest stars in the genre are set to do the shining.

The fan-voted American Country Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas at 7 p.m. Monday on Fox. Fans can still vote for the top prize, artist of the year, through Saturday at www.theacas.com.

Several country music stars with Oklahoma ties are competing for, performing at or appearing on the first-ever American Country Awards.

Checotah native Carrie Underwood earned six nominations, including artist, female artist and touring artist of the year. Her hit “Cowboy Casanova” is up for top single and music video by a female artist, and her “Play On” is nominated for album of the year.

Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, garnered five nominations, including artist, female artist and album of the year for “Revolution.” Her chart-topper “White Liar” got two nods, for best single and music video by a female artist.

Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, snared four nominations, including female artist and touring artist of the year for her superstar tour with George Strait. Her hit “Consider Me Gone” is nominated for top single and music video by a female artist.

Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, got nods for duo/group and touring artist of the year, along with top single by a duo/group for the anthem “Unstoppable.”

Lambert’s fiance and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins share nominations for music video of the year and best video by a male artist for the mini-movie to their No. 1 duet “Hillbilly Bone.”

Recently split duo Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, received a nomination for touring artist of the year; the pair ended their two-decade musical partnership over the summer with their “Last Rodeo Tour.” Also nominated in the touring artist category is Norman resident Toby Keith.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady Antebellum each earned a leading seven nominations.

In addition, Keith, Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Reba will perform on the new awards show, along with Corbin, Josh Turner, Steel Magnolia and Uncle Kracker. Adkins will perform and host the show, while Alan Jackson will play the event and receive the Greatest Hits Award.

The inaugural two-hour show also will feature appearances by Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, music stars Laura Bell Bundy, Jewel, Lady Antebellum and Bret Michaels; rodeo standout Ty Murray; comic/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham; and NASCAR drivers Michael Waltrip and Elliott Sadler.

Fox is billing the American Country Awards as the first country music awards show in which fans vote for the winners in both music and video categories, along with previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring. The genre’s loyal fan base already voted for its favorite music videos for June’s CMT Music Awards, and they got to cast their ballots for the top award, entertainer of the year, at the venerable Academy of Country Music Awards in April.

To find the rationale behind the addition of another country music awards show, people probably need look no further than last month’s 44^th Annual Country Music Association Awards, which emerged as the top-rated entertainment show of the week for ABC.

-BAM

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Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Rodney Carrington to perform on inaugural American Country Awards

Oklahoma star power will shine at next month’s inaugural American Country Awards.

Norman resident Toby Keith, Chockie-born singer Reba McIntire, Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton and country group Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will play the Dec. 6 awards show, reports the Associated Press. Comedian Rodney Carrington,who lives in Tulsa, also will perform.

Other performers will include Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Laura Bell Bundy, Jewel and Bret Michaels.

The fan-voted show will take place Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and be televised on Fox.

Fans can still vote for artist of the year through Dec. 4 on the show’s website, www.theacas.com. The nominees are Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and the Zac Brown Band.

Underwood earned six nominations, including artist, female artist and touring artist of the year. Her hit “Cowboy Casanova” is up for top single and music video by a female artist, and her “Play On” is nominated for album of the year. (Look for my new feature on Underwood on Tuesday; she is playing a show Wednesday at the Ford Center.)

Lambert garnered five nominations, including artist, female artist and album of the year for “Revolution.” Her chart-topper “White Liar” got two nods, for best single and music video by a female artist. (Look for my new interview with Lambert on Wednesday; she is performing Thursday at Tulsa’s SpiritBank Event Center and Friday at Thackerville’s WinStar World Casino.)

Reba snared four nominations, including female artist and touring artist of the year for her superstar tour with George Strait. Her hit “Consider Me Gone” is nominated for top single and music video by a female artist.

Rascal Flatts got nods for duo/group and touring artist of the year, along with top single by a duo/group for the anthem “Unstoppable.”

Shelton and Trace Adkins share nominations for music video of the year and best video by a male artist for the mini-movie to their No. 1 duet “Hillbilly Bone.”

Recently split duo Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, received a nomination for touring artist of the year; the pair ended their two-decade musical partnership over the summer with their “Last Rodeo Tour.” Keith also is nominated in the touring artist category.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady A each earned a leading seven nominations.

-BAM

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