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In just under four weeks,the Grammys will descend on Las Vegasafter an Omicron-related delay.
Here are the highs, lows, and whoas of the night.
But this is the ACMs big return to Vegas, and that merited a show.
It was the right start for Primes ACMs, which aimed to present itself as one big concert.
Remember the CD commercials in which theyd play five-second clips of like ten tracks?
It was less like a live performance and more like one of those for an Eric Church greatest hits.
At least it felt fitting for a guy whosebiggest hitname-checks Applebees.
LOW: The Prime Video tie-ins.Yes, we knew it was coming.
But could it have been any more blatant?
Guess its still better than commercial breaks.
HIGH: Chris Stapleton burns the house down.
Chris Stapleton channeled his rage about the tragedy into Watch You Burn, offhis 2020 album,Starting Over.
Throw in a surprise choir at the end, and youve got the performance of the night.
LOW: Morgan Wallen is back.
And ACM Album of the Year goes to…
Going by the numbers,Dangerouswas the country album of the year thanks to its massive chart success.
WHOA: Lainey Wilson makes her mark.
Its not just something that a man oughta know, she said during a charming acceptance speech.
Its something that we all need to know!
Sounds like a dream compared with the clunky awards shows youre used to?
Well, the gambit needs a bit of fine-tuning.
HIGH: Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Brothers Osborne, and Breland stand out.
But lets talk some standouts!
Thomas Rhett hopped on the piano for a soaring, string-accompanied take on his song Slow Down Summer.
HIGH: And we will always love Kelly Clarksons covers.
It was the moment wed been waiting for and the ACMs made uswait.
Her and the rest of us.
(Underwood tied with Rhett in 2020.)
Hey,weve been telling you she deserved it for years.
