Young Stars Lead Way At American Country Awards

The group played its breakthrough hit “If I Die Young” in full for the first time in front of a television audience, and were happy to return when invited back to perform. The show will be broadcast live Monday night from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Fox.

Singer Kimberly Perry said they love the fan-voted show’s focus on emerging and younger acts.

“So when we were invited to come back this year, we were just like an immediate, ‘Yes, absolutely, we would love to,’“ said Perry, who will perform “All Your Life” with brothers Reid and Neil. “It’s only the second year of the ACAs. It’s got a little bit of a rock ‘n’ roll feel about it.”

They’ve been on a run since, sweeping new artist awards at the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards, winning the CMA song of the year for the melancholy “If I Die Young,” selling out The Ryman Auditorium for their first headlining show in 20 minutes and just last week earning a platinum record and Grammy nomination.

They’re on a nominee list packed with rising stars at the ACAs. Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band, country music’s newest arena-filling acts, lead all nominees with eight each. Thompson Square has seven, followed by The Band Perry and Taylor Swift with six.

Swift, Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum and Kenny Chesney are up for the show’s top award, artist of the year. Swift will be going for her third top country award of the year after winning the big prizes at the CMA and ACM awards.

Alabama, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band and Chris Young are scheduled to perform.

Trace Adkins, who returns for a second stint as host and will be joined by Kristin Chenoweth, says of all the young acts in the spotlight, The Band Perry has really caught his attention.

“That was a gutsy move on somebody’s part when they came out with that very depressing, although very melodic and beautiful ballad,” Adkins said. “It took a while for that record to build, but when it finally did, it really caught fire and it was just like, ‘Wow, what’s going on here?’“