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There was little surprise when Taylor Swift won entertainer of the year at The Academy of Country Awards on Sunday night — except maybe in how little surprise the 22-year-old sensation showed when her name was called.
Swift displayed none of her normal expressions of astonishment after winning the academy’s top honor for the second year in a row. And, in fact, neither did her competitors, who gracefully if grimly acknowledged her as she hugged her way to the stage. With millions of albums sold and millions of new fans turned on to country music, and turning out to vote for her, the award had the feel of a coronation.
“She deserved it” – fellow nominee and show co-host Blake Shelton said. “When those announcements came out who was nominated, I remember saying right then: I don’t think I said I hope Taylor wins because I hoped I would win, but Taylor deserves it. I don’t think there is anyone with half a brain that would say otherwise. She has done a lot for us in country music. We are lucky enough in country music to call her one of us. But I am always going to make fun of her in my monologues so she might as well get used to that.”
Miranda Lambert and the duo of Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson were the top winners with two trophies each and their early victories overshadowed Swift initially. Lambert took her third consecutive female vocalist award, and was matched by husband Shelton, who ended Brad Paisley’s five-year run in the male vocalist category. She also won album of the year for a record-tying third time for “Four the Record.” Aldean and Clarkson won single record and vocal event of the year for their steamy duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”

Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift won her second consecutive entertainer of the year award at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night, just 24 hours after she was saluted by first lady Michelle Obama for her charity work on The Kids’ Choice Awards.
Even by Swift’s lofty standards, it was an outstanding weekend — though tempered with a little melancholy.
After hugging her way to the stage, she took a moment to say hello to Kevin McGuire and his family. McGuire, a high school football player and Swift fan who has cancer, was to have been Swift’s date to the awards, but he was hospitalized and couldn’t make it.
“He’s not here but I promised him I would give him a shoutout” – Swift said of the Somerdale, N.J., resident.
The 22-year-old Swift becomes just the second woman to win the award twice after Carrie Underwood accomplished that feat before Swift. She beat out an all-male field that included Kenny Chesney, who was shut out at the awards after leading all nominees nine. Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson were the night’s top winners with two awards apiece.
Swift did not perform but was an oft-acknowledged presence. In the monologue co-hosts Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton wondered about that rumored date with Tim New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow. She also was a presenter. Swift was given The Big Help Award by Obama in Los Angeles just a day earlier.
“I’m so happy about this” – Swift said after thanking her followers for giving her the fan-voted award. “I want to say to my fellow nominees in this category I respect you so much and I love you.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW1szFfjIV0

The Academy of Country Music Awards were a lot of country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll on Sunday night, with appearances by rock band KISS and U2 singer Bono, a sexy performance by Carrie Underwood, two honors for both Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson’s hit duet, as well as big wins by Taylor Swift and Eli Young Band.
Wearing a sexy black and magenta mini-dress, Underwood kicked off the night with “Good Girl” – mixing country with a blast of rock.
Eli Young Band took home the first award of the evening scoring song of the year for “Crazy Girl.” The quartet beat out country heavyweights, including Lady Antebellum and Kenny Chesney. “I have dreamed this moment my whole life and I can speak for the rest of these guys up here that they have, too” – lead singer Mike Eli told the crowd.
The album of the year award went to Lambert for her 2011 release, “Four the Record.” Lambert looked surprised upon hearing her name. “Seriously?” Lambert said when she hit the stage. She added: “Every record is amazing, and I’m so thrilled. I will never take this trophy for granted. My albums are my babies. It’s what makes me wake up in the mornings.”
Lambert also won her third consecutive female vocalist of the year award. Her husband, ACM host Blake Shelton, scored male vocalist of the year.
Taylor Swift won her second straight entertainer of the year trophy at the ACM’s. She bested her all-male competitors, including four-time winner Kenny Chesney, along with Brad Paisley, Shelton and Aldean.
While accepting her award, Swift took a moment to say hello to Kevin McGuire and his family. McGuire, a high school football player and Swift fan who has cancer, was to have been Swift’s date to the awards, but he was hospitalized and couldn’t make it.
“He’s not here but I promised him I would give him a shoutout” – Swift said of the Somerdale, N.J., resident.
The members of KISS, sporting full makeup, almost looked out of place as the rockers announced Lady Antebellum as winners of vocal group of the year. The country trio thanked fans, family and country radio for the win.