Image Credit: Francis Specker/CBS/LandovIt was another glamorous day at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mixers, where country music’s best and brightest gathered to rehearse for their performances on Sunday night’s Academy of Country Music Awards. (Recently added to the lineup as presenters: David Nail, Jake Owen, Joe Nichols, and Randy Houser!) As usual, your Aunt Whittlz was on the scene, diligently type-type-typing away except for when I was distracted by horribly mundane activities such as eating.
Read on for the almost unnecessarily minute-by-minute scoop on rehearsals from Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, and Carrie Underwood, plus interviews with Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire. Plus: Robin Leach!
12:17 p.m. Keith Urban’s adorable Aussie accent is filling the arena as I arrive. His band is on stage, noodling around with the lick from Lou Reed’s “Walk On the Wild Side” while Keith stands in the house, discussing a top-secret gimmick. I’ve been asked not to reveal the gimmick, which is fine by me. I like to be part of the solution. Thus, I can give you a snippet of Keith’s conversation, and nothing more: “There might be something cool in taking it and walking right up on stage with it,” he says. “Then I just have to figure out who’s gonna take it when I walk up to my mic.” As he brainstorms with staffers, Keith is wonderfully cheerful and good-natured.
12:18 p.m. He’s singing “I’m In.” This song is also very cheerful and good-natured. Keith, I do need a lover and a friend. Thank you for suggesting that. READ FULL STORY »
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