Aldean takes top ACM honor

Sunday, April 2, 2017 – Jason Aldean won the biggest honor of the night - Entertainer of the Year - at the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music awards on Sunday.

"Man, I am so thankful. You guys don't know how much I love getting up and doing what I do every day," said Aldean. He also gave shout outs to the others nominated.

Thomas Rhett won the most awards with three. including Male Vocalist of the Year. "I don't know," he said. "Every one in this category are my idols. Everyone in this category shaped the artist that I am. I try to be the best artist that I can."

"This is a very humbling experience," he said.

Rhett won the first award with "Die a Happy Man" winning Song of the Year as both the artist and writer. Rhett won the honor with co-writers Sean Douglas and Joe Spargur. Rhett spoke for the three of them, acknowledging his wife for whom he wrote the song. ""I didn't think this was going to happen," he said.

Miranda Lambert won Album of the Year with "The Weight of These Wings" and Female Vocalist.

Lambert, who earlier sang "Tin Man" solo acoustic, said she was thankful for being able to put out this type of album. She received praise from her fellow winners, producers Frank Liddell, Eric Masse and Glenn Worf.

In taking the female vocalist honor, Lambert said, "I'm so glad female artists kicking ass these days," Lambert said. That was reference of the dearth of female artists only a few short years ago.

Video of the Year went to Forever Country Artists for "Then, Now & Forever," a pastiche of country hits by a slew of artists including Little Big Town and Tim McGraw.

Maren Morris formally won Best New Female Artist, saying she was in "shock," although she was told weeks ago she was going to win.

Brothers Osborn was a surprise winner of the Best Duo Award, taking it from Florida Georgia Line, among others. Singer T.J. Osborne thanked he and guitarist John's parents for always believing in them "from the time we were babies."

Little Big Town won the Vocal Group of the Year award, shortly after playing "Happy People."

Florida Georgia Line previously won Single Record of the Year for "H.O.L.Y.," the first hit off "Dig Your Roots. FGL also won Vocal Event of the Year for "May We All," it song with Tim McGraw.

Lori McKenna, who wrote "Humble and Kind," received the Songwriter of the Year honor.

The three-hour featured a slew of musical performances ranging from Florida Georgia Line performing "God, Your Mama and Me" with Backstreet Boys and their "Everybody" to Reba McEntire and Christian singer Lauren Daigle performing "Back to God."