LAS VEGAS — Carrie Underwood made history at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night, becoming the first woman to win entertainer of the year twice.
Underwood won the show’s top honor last year. This year, she beat out Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban.
“I think I just got makeup all over Brad Paisley,” an excited Underwood said as she went on stage to accept her trophy. “Thank you, God, praise the Lord.”
Underwood also was recognized with a special trophy for the “triple crown” of ACM wins — entertainer of the year, top female vocalist and top newcomer — in the course of her career.
Top-selling Lady Antebellum was the dominant winner, though, grabbing five trophies. And the trio’s good friend, Miranda Lambert, won three awards.
Lady A, the top-selling trio that includes Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, was the lead nominee, entering the show with seven nominations. It snapped Rascal Flatts’ seven-year run as best vocal group and won song and single record of the year for the crossover hit “Need You Now.” Lady A got two trophies for its single record-of-the-year win because it also produced the record, and two trophies for its song-of-the-year win because the trio composed it.
“It’s just wild, man,” Kelley said. “You never know where a song can take you, and tonight is probably the pinnacle of our career.”
Adding to the emotion of the night for the group were wins by good friends Lambert and Luke Bryan. The trio broke into cheers backstage when Lambert won top female vocalist. A stunned Lambert hugged Underwood as she made her way to the stage, then read off the names of the other nominees — Underwood, Swift, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said.
She also won album of the year for “Revolution,” an award Lady A openly lobbied for her to win, and video of the year for “White Liar.”
Lady A also helped celebrate Bryan’s win when he nabbed top new artist. Lady A’s Kelley and Haywood helped their good buddy write his hit, “Do I.”
Paisley won top male vocalist of the year for the fourth consecutive time.
And Brooks & Dunn, who are retiring after a summer tour, won best vocal duo for the 10th time in their two-decade-long career.
The show was heavy on performances. It kicked off with Underwood and Lambert, joined on stage later by Paisley, Charlie Daniels and John Fogerty, who ripped through a rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Travelin’ Band.”
“That’s how you start a television show, son!” shouted Daniels, who recently recovered from a stroke.
The show also had its share of noncountry celebrities, including LL Cool J, Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn and Las Vegas staple Cher.
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