Underwood Returns to Stage at ACM Awards

It was an incredible day for Chris Stapleton
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 16, 2018 2:26 AM CDT
Stapleton, Lambert, Underwood Win Top Country Honors
Jason Aldean performs "You Make It Easy" at the 53rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Las Vegas.   (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards marked a memorable night for the victims of the massive Las Vegas shooting, comeback queen Carrie Underwood, and triple-winners Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert. Jason Aldean paid tribute to the 58 people who died at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas last October when he was named entertainer of the year Sunday for the third consecutive time, the AP reports. "It's been a rough year," Aldean said, thanking those "that showed us love and support over the last six months." The ACMs brought the country music community back to Vegas six months after the deadly tragedy. Aldean was performing onstage when the shooting occurred. "You guys are in our hearts always," Aldean said. "We love Las Vegas. Vegas strong."

Though Aldean beat out Stapleton for the top honor, Stapleton's Sunday was met with many high points, the first of which kept him away from the show: His wife, Morgane, gave birth to twin boys; he celebrated his 40th birthday; and he won male vocalist of the year and album of the year, where he won twice as a singer and producer. Underwood also had a big night, returning to the stage in her first TV appearance since injuring her face and wrist last year due to a fall at her home. Lambert made history when she surpassed Brooks and Dunn as the most decorated act in ACM history with 32 wins on Sunday. Lambert won her ninth consecutive female vocalist of the year trophy and won twice for song of the year—as the performer and co-writer of "Tin Man."

(More Academy of Country Music Awards stories.)

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