The ACM New Faces show is usually an industry event. But, this year, with the addition of the Associate Membership in the ACM, fans could attend the show and enjoy a short concert from each of the five nominees of the New Artist Award at the following night's ACM show.
The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is huge, and I felt like I walked for days to find the Ballroom. Entering the ballroom, I saw first lots of tables in the rear of the room, and then a stage in the center with about 20 rows of chairs. I edged my way towards the front and actually found a seat in the front row on the very end.
As the crew finished fixing up the stage, I saw Cledus T. Judd walk out on the stage. He was the MC for the show, and he welcomed everyone to the show, then introduced Bob Romeo, who is the Executive Director of the Academy of Country Musuc. Bob then welcomed everyone asking how many Associate Members were in the audience, then how many Radio Staff were in the audience. He said this was the first year they had done the New Faces Show where the fans could attend, and hoped we would enjoy the show.
First up was Josh Turner. Each of the five nominees had a very short set, all but the last two only performed three songs. Josh opened with "Long Black Train." He then sang an album cut which is my favorite song from the album, "In My Dreams." The final song he sang was his current single, "What It Ain't."
Cledus came back on stage and talked with the audience. He said he has a new album coming out on August 24th.
Next to perform was Jimmy Wayne, and all the girls screamed as his name was announced. Jimmy started out singing something kind of riské. It was something about "I'll be your dog as long as you let me bury my bone in your yard." Everyone laughed a bit at that and he then sang another song that I don't know. I don't have Jimmy's album, but checked the song listing and don't see this on there, so I may have the title wrong. I think it was called "Stand Up." The next song was his current single, which I love, called "You Are." His final song was "The Rabbit."
Cledus returned to the stage and talked while the guys set up the stage for Buddy Jewell's set. He said he had a song on his upcoming album called "Paycheck Woman," and asked if we'd like to hear some of the lyrics. It was hilarious, based on Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman."