Top Academy of Country Music awards go to Bryan, Lambert
ARLINGTON, Texas – Miranda Lambert won four awards, including album and song of the year, but the singer lost the night’s top prize to Luke Bryan at Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards.
It was a repeat of the Country Music Association Awards in November, where Lambert won multiple prizes but lost the big award to Bryan.
“Listen guys, what an amazing night of music,” an excited Bryan said onstage after winning the fan-voted award. “Thank you to my wife, my kids … my fans, country radio.”
Lambert was the sole female nominated for entertainer of the year; other nominees included Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, who won two awards Sunday at the AT&T Stadium.
Though she lost the top prize – again – Lambert was the queen of the night.
Lambert won her fourth album of the year, her sixth female vocalist of the year and twice for third single record of the year (she won twice this year as a performer and songwriter of “Automatic.”)
“I don’t even realize what’s happening tonight,” Lambert said. “I love my job so much. I will never not love my job.”
She also accepted the 50th Anniversary Milestone Award, given to her by Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara (Lambert wrote a song for their new film, “Hot Pursuit.”)
It was also a memorable night for Taylor Swift, who made it a family affair.
The singer was one of seven recipients of the 50th Anniversary Milestone Award, and a video package highlighting her career and success played before her mother, who recently announced she is battling cancer, presented her daughter with the award.
“I am a very proud mom,” said Andrea Swift, who also called her daughter “brave enough to explore her musical curiosity.”
“I am so happy I learned how to write songs in a town like Nashville,” said Swift, who released her first full-blown pop album, “1989,” last year.
The former country singer, who sat next to her father Scott Swift, danced along in typical form, especially when Lambert and Martina McBride performed.
Other recipients of the anniversary honor include Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and George Strait, who performed near the beginning of the show.
Lee Brice sang some of “Forever and Ever, Amen” and then called out Randy Travis, who was sitting in the audience and earned a rousing applause. Brice won single record of the year for “I Don’t Dance,” which he also produced.
Little Big Town had one of the night’s top performances when they slowed things down with their recent hit, the semi-controversial “Girl Crush.” They won vocal group of the year, and Cole Swindell won new artist of the year.
Dierks Bentley, who had seven nominations, won video of the year for “Drunk on a Plane”; Aldean won male vocalist of the year.
Other performers included Brooks & Dunn, Braid Paisley and Alan Jackson.