The Brainerd Dispatch - Today's Entertainment Magazine
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2 • April 19 - 25, 2015 • Brainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media C ountry music's "party of the year" is about to celebrate its golden anniversary. The Dallas Cowboys are lending out their home field for a very spe- cial night as the biggest names in the industry come together for the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards. Don't miss the star-stud- ded event when it airs live Sunday, April 19, on CBS, from Arlington, Texas. The music industry boasts a long list of glitzy award shows to honor the top artists of the previ- ous year. There are even several ceremonies dedicated specifically to country music, and the ACM Awards show is one of the biggest nights of the year for artists and fans of the genre. The evening gives a nod to the cream of the crop in the industry and ushers in some rising stars who we're sure to see a lot more of in the near fu- ture. With the ceremony celebrating its 50th anniversary, this year's broadcast is extra special, and the academy has brought back a cou- ple of old hands and big names to keep things running smoothly. Country superstars Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan are co-hosting the event — Shelton for his fifth con- secutive year and Bryan for his third. Shelton is himself a recipient of 15 ACM Award nominations, and he's taken home four, including Male Vocalist of the Year in 2012 and Song of the Year in 2013. He also has nine Country Music Asso- ciation Awards to his name and a slew of other accolades that in- clude Grammy and Billboard nom- inations and American Country Award and CMT Music Award wins. The Ada, Oklahoma, native is more than just a crooner, however. Shelton's made a name for himself on television, wielding the prover- bial gavel as a judge in the "Ameri- can Idol"-esque singing competi- tion "Nashville Star" and the NBC miniseries "Clash of the Choirs." Even those who aren't nuts about country music should recognize him as one of the original coaches in "The Voice" — his teams have won four of the show's seven com- pleted seasons. His co-host may not be making or breaking singing hopefuls' mu- sic careers in prime time, but Bryan is certainly no less celebrated. Be- sides four studio albums under his belt and a fifth in the works, the platinum-selling artist has earned himself almost two dozen awards for his music and more than twice that many nomi- nations. He took home the ACM Awards for Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Artist in 2010, and in 2012 won every American Country Award for which he was nominat- ed — nine in total. The boys are looking for- ward to another year host- ing the ACM Awards to- gether, and they definite- ly bring a lot to the table — despite Shelton's self-deprecating joke that the only reason they keep getting this gig is that they're the only two guys in the industry who can read. "This show used to be so good, and now we're out here de- stroying its reputation," he dead- pans in a promo video. Judging by the 60,000-odd peo- ple who will be swarming into AT&T Stadium on the 19th, however, it doesn't look as though the show's in any danger of flopping. In fact, there was such a clamor to attend the sold-out event that additional seats were released last month to squeeze in more frantic fans. Not surprisingly, there are some big names up for awards in the top categories this year. Leading the pack is Shelton's wife, Miranda Lambert, whose eight nominations include Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. The Texas native is excited to be able to attend the awards in her home state for the first time, now that they've moved from their previous home at Las Vegas's MGM Grand. "I can't believe that it's in Texas, and I've got a good amount of nominations," the songstress said in "Billboard Country Update." "It'll be kind of a magical night, and I haven't been in that building when I haven't had a little bit of magic happen. You're excited to be there because whatever you're doing there is something that's pretty awesome." Right on Lambert's heels with seven nominations is Dierks Bent- ley, up against both hosts for Male Vocalist of the Year, followed by Florida Georgia Line with five. All three acts are also slated to per- form at the event, as are Shelton, Bryan and others, including the Queen of Country herself, Reba McEntire. The two-time Grammy winner not only has 13 ACM Awards to her name, but she's also hosted the event a whopping 17 times. The golden anniversary show will be the first time in five years that the megastar performs on the telecast. With huge stars, stellar perfor- mances and a special 50th Anni- versary Milestone Award, you won't want to miss a moment when the red carpet is rolled out for the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards. Hosted by country superstars Shelton and Bryan, the star-studded event airs live from Arlington's AT&T Stadium Sunday, April 19, on CBS. The big 5-0 The Academy of Country Music Awards celebrates its 50th anniversary Cover Story this week Reba McEntire is set to perform at the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." FREE Delivery in our service area! • 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 Sat. 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd • 218-829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Medica, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service 001230183r1 Stop in and see our "NEW" Serta lift chair! Lift chairs Available in a variety of styles, sizes and colors. Independant Living Home Bed Rail is a durable fall prevention and mobility aid that protects you or your loved ones while they sleep. 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