Post-ACM Gossip

So what happens after the ACM Awards? Answer: a tribute to Brooks & Dunn. Multiple artists took the stage last night in Las Vegas to tape ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn --- The Last Rodeo. The special will air May 23rd with performances by Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

Speaking of Brooks & Dunn, the dynamic duo recently shared some career memories with USAToday.com. The fully detailed article is on their website, but here are the highlights of Kix and Ronnie’s Top 10 lists:

Kix Brooks
1. When he realized at a Sacramento concert, "This is it."
2. First two Academy of Country Music Awards with a #1 song on the charts.
3. His 4-year old son’s question, "Is he spending the night here tonight?"
4. His father watching him win ACM's Entertainer of the Year.
5. A $10,000-a-hole charity golf game he had no shot of winning.
6. Brooks & Dunn play at George W. Bush's inauguration.
7. Going to Iraq with songwriter Bob DiPiero to play for U.S. troops.
8. Playing Radio City Music Hall.
9. The Country Music Association Awards' hotly contested move to New York in 2005.
10. Hosting the syndicated radio show American Country Countdown.

Ronnie Dunn
1. An American Airlines pilot announcing on the plane’s PA that “Brand New Man” was a #1 song
2. Two awards at the 1991 Academy of Country Music Awards show.
3. Winning both ACM and CMA Song of the Year in 2006 for “Believe.”
4. Merle Haggard playing for one of our No. 1 parties in 1994.
5. Opening for the Rolling Stones in 2005.
6. Being asked to open for the Rolling Stones again.
7. Playing the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
8. Playing for a presidential inauguration.
9. Hearing “Only in America” play after Barack Obama's acceptance speech for his Democratic presidential nomination.
10. The Last Rodeo

Also in Vegas, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton were ribbed by some of their good friends about tying the knot while they were in Sin City. Miranda befuddled the whole idea, saying, “I was like, ‘No, I’m not going to let him off the hook that easy. He’s got to do the ring and the whole deal.’ But no, we’re not because my family would kill me. My mom would be so mad.” Miranda and Blake celebrated their ACM awards with their family and close friends who were in town for the award rather than hitting up the industry parties.

And finally, Luke Bryan started off his Sunday morning working up a sweat in the steam room with his good friend David Nail. Laura Bell Bundy tipped the guys off about the benefit of the steam room because of the dry air in Vegas that causes performers to lose their voice. Luke joked that he had a video camera in the steam room and will be posting the video later. But in all actuality, Luke was giving David marriage advice.