Tuesday 7 December 2010

Country princess: Carrie Underwood dazzles as the night's biggest winner at the American Country Awards

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Totally rocking it: Carrie Underwood dazzled in a long red gown which she paired with some simple gold sandals, clutch and jewellery at the first ever American Country Awards in Las Vegas Monday night

The stars came out in force last night for the inaugural American Country Awards and the belle of the ball was the country princess herself, Carrie Underwood.

Dressed in a stunning asymmetric red gown, the 27-year-old singer glowed as she walked the carpet and flashed some thigh and a huge smile.

The blonde bombshell has much to be happy about having won all six categories she was nominated in, including Artist Of The Year.

Axe maiden: Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum brandishes her guitar-shaped award backstage at the MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada

She was just behind Lady Antebellum and Easton Corbin who are both tied with seven nominations each but was the clear winner of the night.

Musician Brett Michaels also appeared on the carpet wearing his signature velvet jacket with jeans and an embellished cowboy hat.

The singer has been laying fairly low since it was rumoured that he had been having an affair with fellow country singer Billy Ray Cyrus' wife Tish - mother to Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus - a claim which all parties have denied.

Dressed down: Brett Michaels kept it casual in some old faded blue jeans, black velvet blazer, embellished black cowboy hat and beaten-up black cowboy boots

Other ladies who wowed on the carpet included Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell who poured her toned physique into a leather mini-dress ready for her presenting duties, singer Jewel who was also presenting an award and Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco.

The two-hour prime time special, hosted by Trace Adkins, is the only country music awards show that gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognised areas of the business such as touring.

There are 17 categories in total including Artist of the year (overall, male, female, duo or group, breakthrough), Album of the year, Single of the year, touring artist of the year and music video of the year.

Feeling blue: Singer Jewel (L) and Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cucuo (R) dressed to impress on the carpet at the awards

Seven nods: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood from the musical group Lady Antebellum arrive at the American Country Awards

The show was opened by the Rascal Flatts who performed a medley of several of their hit songs and later won an award for Country Group of the Decade.

The single of the year by a male artist goes to Josh Turner while Easton Corbin won Breakthrough single of the year and was presented his award by Bret Michaels.
He also won breakthrough video of the year.

Show time: Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox, and Jay DeMarcus from the band Rascal Flatts perform onstage during the American Country Awards

On the mic: Country star and awards host Trace Adkins

Lady in black: Reba McEntire on stage at the bash

Veteran singer Alan Jackson performed and then received the Greatest Hits Award which is bestowed upon a country music artist whose chart-topping career has generated a vast catalogue of number one hits.

Country artists Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean, Comic Jeff Dunham, Rodeo Star Ty Murray and NASCAR Drivers Clint Bowyer, Elliott Sadler and Michael Waltrip also appeared or presented awards.

Chuffed: Josh Turner shows off his award for Male Singer Of The Year

All award winners receive a Fender Stratus guitar as a prize instead of a trophy.
The show aired live on Fox from The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Nice prize: Nancy O'Dell presents the Breakthrough Artist Of The Year award to musician Easton Corbin

source: dailymail