LAS VEGAS - The young women of country ruled The Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night, with Taylor Swift winning the prestigious entertainer of the year award and the night's top nominee, Miranda Lambert, taking home a leading four trophies.
"This is the first time that I've ever won this, and I'm just losing my mind," said Swift, 21, whose album "Speak Now" sold 1 million copies in its first week alone when it was released last fall. "The fact that this is from the fans makes it so special."
The entertainer award is the only one determined by fan vote.
Lambert also was up for entertainer of the year. While she lost that award, she was the night's big winner. Lambert's "The House That Built Me," written by Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas, won song, single record and video of the year. The Zac Brown Band, up for five awards, took home vocal event of the year with Alan Jackson for their collaboration on "As She's Walking Away."
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Paisley kicked off the ACMs with a little help from friends: Three members of the iconic group Alabama joined Paisley on his new song "Old Alabama," bringing the crowd at the MGM Grand to its feet. It was one of several big collaborations during the show.
Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood rocked out to "Undo It" then segued to the Aerosmith classic "Walk This Way."
Top winners
• Entertainer of the year: Taylor Swift
• Top male vocalist: Brad Paisley
• Top female vocalist: Miranda Lambert
• Top vocal group: Lady Antebellum
• Top vocal duo: Sugarland
• Top new artist: The Band Perry
• Top new solo vocalist: Eric Church
• Top new vocal duo or group: The Band Perry
• Album of the year: "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
• Single record of the year: "The House That Built Me," Miranda Lambert
• Song of the year: "The House That Built Me," Miranda Lambert
• Video of the year: "The House That Built Me," Miranda Lambert
• Vocal event of the year: "As She's Walking Away," Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
