Academy of Country Music Awards 2002 - Recap - Page 1

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The Academy of Country Music Awards were held at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, NV on May 21, 2003. The show was hosted again this year by Reba McEntire.

I wasn't able to watch the pre-show, but you can find a great recap by BMPRSHOST in the forum by following the link to the right.

The show started with Kenny Chesney singing "Big Star." While he sang, the screens behind him showed what I believe were scenes to the video for the song.

Wayne Newton came out next and welcomed everyone to Las Vegas and told how this year the show was being broadcast to the troops overseas. He then introduced Reba, the host for the show.

Reba welcomed everyone to the 38th Annual ACM show, and said that this was the first year the show had been broadcast from Las Vegas, and was coming from the "Mandalay Bay." She said all the hotels wanted to get involved... well, all except the "Paris," cuz you know the French. She went on to mention that Vegas is known for Frank, Dean and Sammy, the "Rat Pack." In country music we have Alan, George and Kenny, the "Hat Pack." Then, the first Dixie Chicks joke of the night, she said how they were taking odds on the Dixie Chicks play the Bush Family Reunion. On to the introductions, she welcomed Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, calling them "The Angry American," and "The Herbal American."

Toby Keith and Willie Nelson then came on to sing their duet, "Beer For My Horses."

Brooks & Dunn were next to perform, and they sang their latest single, "Red Dirt Road." Again, scenes from the video were displayed on the rear screens.

Reba mentioned the "Home Depot Humanitarian Award," saying that the three nominees this year were Brooks & Dunn, Wynonna, and Lonestar. The winner would get to choose a location where a playground would be built.

Kellie Coffey, Jennifer Hanson and Rebecca Lynn Howard introduced Terri Clark.

Terri sang her recent No. 1 hit, "I Just Wanna Be Mad."

Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, and Blake Shelton came out to present the Album of the Year. Poor Joe looks like a midget next to Darryl and Blake, who are both 6'6. The award went to Alan Jackson for Drive.

After the commercial, Alan came back out to perform "The Sounds"

Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown and Vegas magician Lance Burton came out to present the Single of the Year award. What was cool about this is Lance did some magic to get the card with the winner's name on it. From a handkerchief, he pulls out one Ace, then another and another and a fourth, until the next time it's the ACM card. The award goes to "The Good Stuff" by Kenny Chesney.

Martina McBride is next to perform, and she sings "Concrete Angel."

Pinmonkey and Phil Vassar are the next presenters for New Male Vocalist. The award goes to Joe Nichols

After the commerical Shania Twain is the next to perform. She sits crosslegged in the center of the strange and sings her latest single, "Forever and For Always."

Next Bill Engvall and Star Search winner Jake Simpson come out and present the Vocal Duo award. The award goes to Brooks & Dunn This is their 18th ACM award.

Reba announces that George Strait recently broke the record for the most No. 1 singles by a male artist in any genre with 50. Tonight, he's receiving the Special Achievement award. Prior to that he performs a medley of severl of those No. 1 songs, singing "Write This Down," "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?," "She'll Leave You With a Smile," "Check Yes or No," and "The Chair." Alan Jackson comes out to present George with the award which looks like a big bowl.

Penn & Teller and the star of Jag Terry Turner present the award for Song of the Year. The award goes to "I'm Movin' On" performed by Rascal Flatts.

Reba says that before the show awards were given out for Video of the Year which went to Alan Jackson's "Drive," and Vocal Event which went to "Mendocino County Line" by Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack

Next, a special performance from Lonestar who sing "I'm Already There" dedicated to the men and women of Operation Iraqi Freedom While they sing, the screens behind them show photos of the soldiers and their families. After the performance it is announced that there are some very special guests, three former P.O.W.'s -- Ronald Young, Jr., Patrick Miller, and Shoshanna Johnson, who come up on the stage and are given a standing ovation.