5 Best ACM Performances

Brad Paisley opened up the show with a killer performance of his latest single, Old Alabama, a track from his new album This Is Country Music due out this May. Brad, 38, sang and rocked out on his guitar while the legendary country band Alabama backed him up. (They appear on the actual recorded track as well.)

Later on in the night, a T-shirt-clad Brad humbly accepted the Top Male Vocalist of the Year Awardhis fourteenth-ever ACM.

Zac Brown, known for his thick beard and his voice like honey, performed an outstanding duet with the iconic James Taylor. Guitars in hand, they began with Browns heart-felt newest single Colder Weather, syncing flawlessly into a version of Taylors Sweet Baby James.

Zac Brown had the lead with his well-deserved nine nominations last night, taking home the Vocal Event of the Year Award for As Shes Walking Away.

In between co-hosting the entire show (for her thirteenth time), introducing artists and changing outfits throughout the night, Reba still made time to put on a phenomenal performance. In case anyone watching had briefly forgotten how powerful her voice is, The Queen of Country reminded us all with a strong performance of When Love Gets a Hold of You, a song off her newest album.

McEntire, 56, was nominated for the Top Female Vocalist of the Year. She can add that to her repertoire of thirteen ACM wins and five past nominations.

Co-host Blake Shelton introduced his bride-to-be-Miranda Lambert, who quite literally stole the entire show. She put on a fun, lively performance of her newest single, Heart Like Mine before taking home four ACM awards (the most of anyone the entire night), including Top Female Vocalist of Year and Single of the Year. For her song, Mirandas guitar and mic perfectly matched her hot pink ensemble.