Suzanne Alexander & Toby Keith backstage at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 1, 2012.

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown hit the red carpet at the ACM Award with hosts Nan Kelley and Suzanne Alexander. They caught up with some of your favorite country stars both on the carpet and backstage. Between chatting with the stars, they counted down this week’s Top 20 videos!

Miss Friday night’s premiere? Check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend to catch interviews with Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Scotty McCreery, Chris Young, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. Check the full schedule »

On the charts this week, the Top 5 remain unchanged with Carrie Underwood still in the top spot. Luke Bryan’s latest video, “Drunk On You,” makes its countdown premiere in the No. 13 spot with Lionel Richie and Shania Twain’s “Endless Love” debuting at No. 19.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”
2. Alan Jackson – “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
3. Lauren Alaina – “Georgia Peaches”
4. Miranda Lambert – “Over You””
5. Katie Armiger – “Scream
6. Keith Urban – “For You”
7. Taylor Swift – “Ours”
8. Lady Antebellum – “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
9. Josh Turner – “Time Is Love”
10. Thompson Square – “Glass”
11. Keith Urban – “You Gonna Fly”
12. Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars – “Safe & Sound”
13. Luke Bryan – “Drunk On You”
14. Gloriana – “(Kissed You) Good Night”
15. Lee Brice – “Woman Like You”
16. Jake Owen – “Alone With You”
17. Craig Morgan – “This Ole Boy
18. Dierks Bentley – “Home”
19. Lionel Richie with Shania Twain – “Endless Love”
20. Rascal Flatts – “Banjo”

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown premieres every Friday night at 9/8c with re-airs throughout the weekend. Click here for a complete schedule.

Vote daily for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown »

Browse GAC’s All-Star Top 20 Photo Gallery »

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GAC host Suzanne Alexander in her sunroom. Photo by Joe Hardwick.

When she’s not interviewing country’s biggest stars or rodeo champs, you’ll most likely find GAC host Suzanne Alexander relaxing in her Nashville-area home in her rustic, spacious sunroom.

“I love the outdoors, and this room lets me enjoy that, while providing shelter from the Tennessee bugs,” says Suzanne.

Suzanne’s sunroom is the first room featured in our new online series, “My Favorite Room.” Also in the new series is a gallery of Trisha Yearwood‘s Nashville kitchen.

Take a tour of Suzanne’s home retreat here and read the stories behind some of her most cherished knick knacks >> Continue Reading

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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 01: Singer Lionel Richie arrives at the 47th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 1, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced today that Marc Anthony, Darius Rucker and Big & Rich will complete the all-star lineup of artists scheduled to perform at the ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert taping Monday, April 2, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  The special will air Friday, April 13, 2012 on CBS.

ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert is a special concert event of country music collaborations with the legendary Lionel Richie, featuring duets from his latest album Tuskegee, out now, along with solo performances.  Some of Richie’s greatest hits will be performed by today’s hottest artists including Jason Aldean (“Say You Say Me”), Luke Bryan (“Running with the Night”), Sara Evans and Marc Anthony (“Endless Love”), Martina McBride (“Still”), The Band Perry (“Penny Lover”), Big & Rich (“Brick House”) and Lady Antebellum (“Truly”). 

Duets with Lionel include: “My Love” with Kenny Chesney, “Sail On” with  Tim McGraw, “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles, “Lady” with Kenny Rogers, “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker, “Dancin’ On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts and more surprises. Continue Reading

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Country stars were all a-twitter about the ACM Awards! In this special ACM Awards-themed edition of Top 10 Tweets, The Band Perry shares their first kiss, Brad Paisley tries a new look, Hunter Hayes and Luke Bryan have fun performing and Lee Brice and Scotty McCreery share their gratitude. Here are the Top 10 Tweets about the ACM Awards – and a few bonus ones!

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/thebandperry.

The Band Perry – TheBandPerry: We all remember our first KISS.

Carrie Underwood – CarrieUnderwood: Happy #aprilfools! I’ve pranked my mom, @mikefisher1212 and various people here at #ACM‘s! Ah ha ha ha! Who’s next?

Lady Antebellum – LadyAntebellum: Great and hilarious start to the #ACMs. Loving @blakeshelton & @reba! Going to be a great night!

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/BradPaisley.

Brad Paisley – BradPaisley: Probably not my new look. But I’ll try anything once. Thanks for the jam Zachary Continue Reading

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GAC hosts Suzanne Alexander, Storme Warren & Nan Kelley on the red carpet at the 47th Annual ACM Awards. Photo by Sara Kauss.

GAC is the only place where you will relive all of the star power, excitement and emotional moments from the 47^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards when we re-air Sunday night’s telecast Monday, June 4 at 9 p.m. Eastern. 

Broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the show is co-hosted by Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton, and features performances by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Pat Monahan, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Chris Young, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts, along with special duets and collaborations performed by Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton & Lionel Richie, Rascal Flatts & Steve Martin.

Once again GAC was the exclusive live television outlet for the Academy’s celebrity arrivals for the event. ACM Red Carpet Live with hosts Suzanne Alexander, Storme Warren and Nan Kelley features lively interviews with many of the top ACM nominees and performers and will re-air at 8 p.m. Eastern on June 4.

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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 01: Singer Taylor Swift accepts the Entertainer Of The Year Award onstage at the 47th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 1, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Taylor Swift was named Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row by fans during Sunday’s ACM Awards. Taylor took advantage of her time onstage to thank her fellow nominees and give a shout out to Kevin McGuire, the young man suffering from Leukemia who was supposed to be her date. Kevin was hospitalized and unable to attend.

“My date tonight was supposed to be a high school football player named Kevin McGuire, and he’s not here, but I promised to give him a shout out,” Taylor said. “So Kevin, all your family and friends — thank you for wanting to take me to the ACMs.”

See photos from the ACM Awards >>

It was also a big night for Miranda Lambert. She picked up her third Album of the Year trophy for her album Four The Record as well as her third straight Female Vocalist of the Year award. “I own every record in this category, and I’ve been listening and listening and thinking, ‘Man, I’m not gonna get it,’” Miranda said of her Album of the Year honor. “Every one of your records is amazing, and I’m so thrilled,” she said to her fellow nominees. “I will never take this trophy for granted. My albums are my babies.”

Jason Aldean and Eli Young Band also had good nights. Eli Young Band won their first ACM Award for Song of the Year for their hit “Crazy Girl,” co-written by Lee Brice and Liz Rose. Jason was surprised on GAC’s Live Red Carpet Special when Nan Kelley helped ACM CEO Bob Romeo present him with the award for Vocal Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson. The song was also named Single Record of the Year.

See the full list of ACM Awards Winners >>

One of the most talked about performances of the night came from Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. The pair, who will be touring together this summer on the Brothers of the Sun Tour, debuted their new single, “Feel Like A Rock Star.” The rocking number is already available on iTunes.

Every wedding day is special, but it’s extra special when you’re getting married on live TV in front of country music’s biggest stars. That’s what happened during the ACM Awards for couple Christina Davidson and Frank Tucci. Martina McBride and Train’s Pat Monahan performed “Marry Me,” while a minister conducted their wedding ceremony, leaving few dry eyes in the house. Continue Reading

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Nan Kelley visits Miranda Lambert on tour and interviews her for Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo by Meaghan Mitchell.

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown was hot this week! Host Nan Kelley headed to Louisville to catch up with Miranda Lambert on her On Fire Tour and also got to chat with Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann. Plus, Rascal Flatts shared secrets from the set of their “Banjo” video, all while Nan counts down the Top 20 videos of the week! Miss Friday night’s premiere? Check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend!

On the chart this week, Carrie Underwood claims the top spot with her new video, “Good Girl.” Alan Jackson is the lone male in the Top 5, coming in at No. 2 while Lauren Alaina, Miranda Lambert and Katie Armiger round out the first five videos on the countdown. New videos from Love and Theft and Josh Turner make their debuts this week at No. 17 and No. 18 respectively.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”
2. Alan Jackson – “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
3. Lauren Alaina – “Georgia Peaches”
4. Miranda Lambert – “Over You””
5. Katie Armiger – “Scream
6. Keith Urban – “For You”
7. Lady Antebellum – “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
8. Keith Urban – “You Gonna Fly”
9. Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars – “Safe & Sound”
10. Taylor Swift – “Ours” Continue Reading

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Sugarland photo courtesy of UMG Nashville; Zac Brown photo courtesy of Atlantic Records.

The Academy of Country Music announced today that Zac Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Liam Hemsworth, LL COOL J, Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry, KISS, Sugarland, and Thompson Square are scheduled to present as part of the 47^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The ceremony, which honors country music’s top talent as well as the industry’s hottest emerging artists, is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8 p.m. live Eastern/delayed Pacific on CBS.

Brown, Gilbert, Hemsworth, LL COOL J, McCreery, The Band Perry, KISS, Sugarland, and Thompson Square join previously announced presenters Beth Behrs, Hunter Hayes, Lionel Richie, Taylor Swift and Nancy O’Dell.
Previously announced ACM Awards performers are Continue Reading

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Nan Kelley visits Miranda Lambert on tour and interviews her for Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo by Meaghan Mitchell.

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown is on fire this week! Host Nan Kelley caught up with Miranda Lambert when Miranda’s On Fire Tour stopped for a show in Louisville recently. Nan also sat down to chat with the tour’s special guests, Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann!

Rascal Flatts also checks in on tonight’s episode, sharing secrets from the set of their “Banjo” video, all while Nan counts down the Top 20 videos of the week, chosen by you. Tune in tonight at 9/8 CT to catch all the action in this jam-packed episode of Top 20! Check the full schedule »

If you missed the last few episodes of Top 20 or want to re-watch some of your favorite interviews, head over to our Top 20 section for videos, photos and more! You can also catch Top 20 Extras, cast your votes, and take a look at the current chart to see where your favorite videos land. Visit Top 20 »  Continue Reading

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Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw will perform a song together on the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

The Academy of Country Music announced today that Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton & Lionel Richie, Rascal Flatts & Steve Martin, and Toby Keith with surprise Las Vegas guest performers are set to perform a variety of special duets and collaborations at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The ceremony, which honors country music’s top talent as well as the industry’s hottest emerging artists, is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8 p.m. LIVE Eastern/delayed Pacific on CBS. Before the awards, you can catch all your favorite stars LIVE on GAC on the red carpet, beginning at 7 p.m. Central.

Here’s the duet lineup:
– Brothers of the Sun tourmates Kenny and Tim will take the ACM Awards stage Sunday night for a very special performance.

– Blake and Lionel will sing Lionel’s classic hit, “You Are,” and it will air as part of the special, ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert, Friday, April 13, 2012 on CBS.

– In a unique collaboration with Rascal Flatts, Steve Martin will showcase the banjo during a performance of the band’s new single “Banjo.”

– Toby will be joined by special surprise iconic Las Vegas performers for an unforgettable performance of his chart-topping smash “Red Solo Cup.”

Previously announced ACM Awards performers are Continue Reading

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