|
 |
 |
|
Break out your cowboy boots and hat because this weekend, the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards comes to Las Vegas and brings with it a slew of country music stars and people who use the expression “ya’ll.” The Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 5, at 8 pm ET on CBS, but leading up to the awards will be a series of charity events, free concerts, and star-studded jams worthy of a “Yee-haw” or two.
The fun kicks off this Friday, April 3, as the Academy of Country Music (ACM) presents two days of free concerts, beginning with the New Artists’ Show at the Fremont Street Experience. The first of its kind, the New Artists’ show will feature performances by the newest and best artists in country music on two stages in downtown Las Vegas. Free and open to the public, the show starts at 6:30 pm and features Matt Stillwell, Julianne Hough, Jake Owen, and Jason Aldean.
The concerts at Fremont continue the next day beginning at 6:45 pm with Gloriana and the Zac Brown Band, and they wrap up at night with performances by country divas Leann Rimes and Kellie Pickler.
On Saturday, the ACM will also host the Chairman’s Ride, an invitation-only exclusive event where artists and industry VIPs go on a scenic half-day motorcycle ride through the Nevada landscape. Artists scheduled to participate include Toby Keith and Montgomery Gentry, and the event benefits the ACM Lifting Lives.
Don’t feel left out though – fans with the funds will have the chance to participate in the 6th annual ACM Celebrity Golf Classic, teeing off at 11 am at the luxurious TPC Las Vegas. Hosted for the second year by Rascal Flatts, the classic features the superstars of country music and benefits the Diane Holcomb Emergency Fund, which offers immediate financial aid and support to members of the country music community who find themselves in need.
Then on Sunday, it’s time for the awards show, hosted by Reba McEntire for a record 11th time. The fun doesn’t end when the awards are over, though – after the show, the All Star Jam will take over the MGM Grand’s Marquee Ballroom. This Academy tradition is a free-wheeling concert where the stars of the ceremony can let their hair down and put on a fun, impromptu show. It takes place immediately following the awards show at 8:15 pm PT.
Both the Awards show and the All Star Jam are currently sold out, but a few VIP packages are still available on Acmtrips.com.
Stay tuned to BestOfVegas.com tomorrow for more info on the awards show and who’s performing, in addition to the ACM’s Artist of the Decade Special Honoring George Straight, which will be filmed on Monday at the Garden Arena.
|
