The inaugural American Country Countdown Awards -- based on the long-running hit radio show countdown --kicked off its televised version with surprises and memorable musical performances.
Mom-to-be Carrie Underwood opened the show with a rousing, seamless medley of some of her hits -- "Before He Cheats," "American Girl," "Cowboy Casanova," "Blown Away" and "Something in the Water." The "American Idol" winner is expecting her first child, a boy, early next year with NHL star husband Mike Fisher
The first award of the night went to Luke Bryan. He won the Male Vocalist of the Year award and in his acceptance of the award he offered thanks for all the support of fans and his fellow artists in the wake of the death of his brother-in-law, Ben Lee Cheshire, who passed away on Nov. 29.
"I want to thank all of the fans for keeping my family in your prayers. And I want to also recognize the country music community, all of the artists," declared Bryan. "Fans, let me explain something to you: you support wonderful artists, because they have rallied around me and helped me and my family through the past couple of weeks. It's nice to feel loved."
But that first award for Bryan wouldn't be his only bronze microphone trophy of the night.
The singer went on to win three awards -- as did red-hot country duo Florida Georgia Line. Bryan and the duo joined forces on two of those wins, Collaboration of the Year and Digital Song of the Year for their double platinum-selling "This Is How We Roll" collaboration.
Jason Aldean captured the night's top prize -- Artist of the Year -- and he took the opportunity to pay tribute to the show that spawned the awards show.
"When I was growing up in Macon, Georgia, the 'American Country Countdown' was my one avenue to Nashville, to keep up with what was going on. I listened to it every Sunday, and never in a million years did I think I'd be making my career in music," recalled the singer. "The fans and everybody at country radio, you guys have helped to make that happen... and that's a pretty unbelievable feeling."
Vince Vaughn was on hand to present Kenny Chesney with the Groundbreaker Award, and Reba McEntire was honored with the Nash Icon Award for her impressive career.
McEntire's award set the stage for the show's musical highlight. A medley of her hits were performed flawlessly by the night's Female Vocalist of the Year winner Miranda Lambert and McEntire's stepdaughter-in-law, pop superstar Kelly Clarkson.
All awards, except the fan-voted Breakthrough Artist of the Year, were decided using sales and radio airplay numbers. Kip Moore took home the Breakthrough Artist trophy.
See the full list of 2014 American Country Countdown nominees and winners here:
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean - WINNER!
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum
Blake Shelton
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan - WINNER!
Randy Houser
Blake Shelton
Female Vocalist of the Year
Danielle Bradbery
Miranda Lambert - WINNER!
Cassadee Pope
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Group/Duo of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Florida Georgia Line - WINNER!
Lady Antebellum
Zac Brown Band
Song of the Year
"When She Says Baby," Jason Aldean
"Beat of the Music," Brett Eldredge - WINNER!
"Lettin' the Night Roll," Justin Moore
"Drink To That All Night," Jerrod Niemann
"Chillin' It," Cole Swindell
Collaboration of the Year
"This Is How We Roll," Florida Georgia Line (feat. Luke Bryan) - WINNER!
"Small Town Throwdown," Brantley Gilbert (feat. Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett)
"Meanwhile Back At Mama's," Tim McGraw (feat. Faith Hill)
"My Eyes," Blake Shelton (feat. Gwen Sebastian)
"We Were Us," Keith Urban (feat. Miranda Lambert)
Album of the Year
"Crash My Party," Luke Bryan
"The Outsiders," Eric Church - WINNER!
"Here's to the Good Times," Florida Georgia Line
"Just as I Am," Brantley Gilbert
"Platinum," Miranda Lambert
Digital Song of the Year
"Burnin' It Down," Jason Aldean
"Drink a Beer," Luke Bryan
"Play It Again," Luke Bryan
"Dirt," Florida Georgia Line
"This Is How We Roll," Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan - WINNER!
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Brett Eldredge
Tyler Farr
Kip Moore - WINNER!
Thomas Rhett
Cole Swindell
