Country music hitmakers Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry and Keith Urban will join previously announced performers Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, Steel Magnolia, Josh Turner and Uncle Kracker on the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Monday, Dec. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
Hosted by Trace Adkins, AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is 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 and bestowing honors that no other awards show has. Actresses Kaley Cuoco and Jennette McCurdy, television personality Nancy O’Dell, extreme sports athlete Travis Pastrana and country singers Jaron and The Long Road to Love, Jerrod Niemann and Lee Ann Womack will join previously announced participants Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Bret Michaels, Ty Murray, Jeff Dunham and Michael Waltrip.
Fans can still vote once each day for their favorite nominees in the Artist of the Year category, at www.theacas.com until Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010.
Jason Aldean’s new album, “My Kinda Party,†was released at the beginning of last month and had the biggest first week debut by a male vocalist in over three years. After selling nearly 4 million copies of his first three albums, the 15-track disc builds on the sound that brought him to the party, while continuing to push the boundaries of country music with his own unique style. Aldean earned two American Music Awards nominations in the Favorite Male Country Artist and Favorite Country Album categories, as well as Male Artist of the Year at the American Country Awards. He will be honored as one of five CMT Artists of the Year with a television special on the network in December.
In the couple of years since Luke Bryan released his critically acclaimed first album, “I’ll Stay Me,†the singer-songwriter scored Top 10 hits with “All My Friends Say†and “Country Man†and celebrated his first two No. 1 songs and Gold-selling singles: “Do I†and “Rain Is A Good Thing,†the first two singles from his sophomore release, “Doin’ My Thing.†Bryan was recently honored with two trophies at the 45th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, where he was named Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Artist.
Trio of siblings The Band Perry released a five-song EP on Republic Nashville in April 2010 as their first single, “Hip To My Heart,†broke the Top 20 on Country Radio. The band’s second single, “If I Die Young,†went to radio as they toured the country opening for such artists as Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn and Zac Brown Band. Written by the band, “If I Die Young†has sold 1 million copies, racked up more than 11 million views on YouTube and topped the country radio charts with its inspirational message of appreciating the time one is given. The Band Perry’s eponymous October 2010 album release debuted at No. 2 on the Country charts and No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200. The Band Perry recently received a CMA nomination for Best Vocal Group and three American Country Award nominations. The siblings are excited to announce upcoming tour plans soon.
Since moving to Nashville in 1992, Keith Urban has established himself as an extraordinary singer, songwriter, guitarist and performer who has earned some impressive accoldes along the way, including Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Australia’s coveted Aria Award. Urban’s millions of fans have followed his creative progression from his first American album in 1997 as a member of The Ranch through an increasingly accomplished series of the Platinum-selling solo albums: “Keith Urban,†“Golden Road,†“Be Here,†“Love, Pain and The Whole Crazy Thing,†and “Greatest Hits: 18 Kids.†For a decade now, Urban has remained a welcome and enduring presence on country radio with such No. 1 hits as “But For The Grace Of God,†“Somebody Like You,†“Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me,†“You’ll Think Of Me,†“You Look Good In My Shirt†and “Start A Band,†Urban’s 2008 guitar and vocal duet with pal Brad Paisley.
AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2010, “Kids’ Choice Awardsâ€). Paul Flattery and Tisha Fein serve as producers; Fletcher Foster is co-producer; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey will direct the special.