The American Country Awards were Jason Aldean’s kinda party.
Country music’s newest superstar won six awards Monday in Las Vegas, including the night’s top honors artist of the year and record of the year for “My Kinda Party.”
Additional Photos
It’s true, 2010 has been a non-stop party for Aldean. More than a million fans turned out for his arena tour, his platinum album has spawned four hits so far and the awards are starting to pile up after years of being ignored.
“This is getting a little ridiculous now,” Aldean said on his second visit to the stage. “I don’t know what else to say. It’s been a crazy year.”
Carrie Underwood’s fans came through for her again at the fan-voted awards a year after she was the top winner on the inaugural show with six trophies. She picked up three awards this year, including female artist of the year and female single of the year for “Mama’s Song.”
“You guys vote like crazy,” Underwood said during her second trip to the stage.
As expected, the show’s focus was mostly on country music’s emerging stars. Thompson Square also won three trophies — blue Fender Telecasters with an embossed silhouette of the U.S. The husband-and-wife duo of Shawna and Kiefer Thompson rode their breakthrough single “Are You Going to Kiss Me Or Not?” to group single, new artist single and new artist video of the year awards.
“This is the first time we’ve won anything, so be patient,” Kiefer Thompson joked.
Chris Young won two awards, breakthrough artist and single of the year for “Voices,” “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery was named new artist of the year and Lady Antebellum won group of the year.
Along with the night’s top two honors, Aldean also was named touring artist of the year and won male single of the year for “My Kinda Party” and vocal collaboration single of the year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.
Alabama won a Greatest Hits Award and Toby Keith was named artist of the decade as the most-played country star on radio over the past 10 years.
Blake Shelton won video of the year for “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking.” He dedicated the win to his father, Dick, who is in the hospital with pneumonia. He then appeared to tear up at the end of his performance of “God Gave Me You.”
“I want to say ‘hi’ to my dad back home,” Shelton said. “He’s been having a pretty rough couple of weeks. I know he’s watching back at home and I love you, dad, and want to dedicate this to you.”
Images from Monroe’s first photo shoot net $352,000
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Copyrights and images from Marilyn Monroe’s first photo shoot sold for $352,000 at an auction that included items from Lady Gaga and John Lennon.
Julien’s Auctions spokeswoman Caroline Galloway told The Associated Press on Sunday that the Monroe photos — taken in 1946 when she was still Norma Jeane Dougherty — were the highlight of the Beverly Hills auction known as “Icons & Idols.”
The photos come with negatives and the rare right to sell and distribute them. A judge in September ruled they must be auctioned to settle debts of photographer Joseph Jasgur.
A Lady Gaga dress sold for $31,250, and the prop gun used in her video for “Born This Way” went for $7,680.
A 1969 caricature John Lennon drew of himself and Yoko Ono went for $90,000.
Weller joins cast of ‘Star Trek’ sequel
LOS ANGELES — “Robocop” actor Peter Weller is joining the cast of director J.J. Abrams’ big-screen “Star Trek” sequel.
An APA talent agency spokesman for Weller said Monday the actor’s role is a principal one in the film, but details were being kept under wraps.
Weller’s sci-fi credentials include the “Robocop” films and the TV series “Odyssey 5.” He has guest-starred on shows including “Dexter,” ‘’Fringe” and “Psych.”
The second “Star Trek” film will include the return of stars Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. The film is set for a May 2013 premiere.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.