Brad, Carrie, Taylor, Keith, Julianne Rack Up ACMs

Don't let the 10-gallon hats and odd odes to tractors fool you—the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards knew how to keep it real.

From erstwhile reality show winners Carrie Underwood and Julianne Hough triumphing once more—and with hardware that will no doubt put a certain mirrorball trophy to shame—to surprising, diva-like superstar dropouts (sorry, Tim McGraw fans), to an amazingly topical performance of "Shuttin' Down Detroit" from John Rich, the Reba McEntire-hosted awards show did their best to prove that the current crop of twangers are nothing if not relevant.


Doing their part to keep things modern were Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and arm candy Nicole Kidman and—no awards show would be complete without her—Miley Cyrus.

And while Brad Paisley ended up king of the night, taking home a leading three awards, it was double winner Underwood who proved the evening's queen, becoming the first artist in five years to unseat Kenny Chesney as the fan-voted Entertainer of the Year, the highest honor of the night, and the first female performer to take home the prize since the Dixie Chicks did it way back in 2000.

"I've had a lot of good moments over the past four years," she said. "This one takes the cake."

"Things are changing," presenter Jamie Foxx said later, referencing not Underwood's win, but Darius Rucker's recent foray onto the country charts. "An African-American singing country. Things are changing. Got a black man running the country. Things are changing.

"I mean, what's next, white people going to Tyler Perry movies?"

The night, which took place not in Nashville but Las Vegas, started off with a medley of performances from Underwood, Swift, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts and Brooks & Dunn.


"Now that's what I call a stimulus package," McEntire said of the star-studded opening number, going on to joke about country's recent crossover success.

"It seems like everyone wants to do a country album these days—even Michael Phelps and Willie Nelson are teaming up to do a country album. They're covering the Doobie Brothers."

The show wasted no time in doling out the prizes.

One of the night's big winners, as expected, was Underwood, who in addition to her Entertainer of the Year nod took home the prize for Top Female Vocalist.

"I feel like I won American Idol all over again," she said.

Fellow reality cutie and Dancing With the Stars pro Hough also managed to snag two awards, Top New Artist and Top New Female Artist, and got plenty emotional doing it.

"I can't thank you guys enough—the fans," she said. "You guys are amazing. I would not be here without you."

Country faves Sugarland snagged the Top Vocal Duo Award, while Rascal Flatts, as expected, walked away with the Top Vocal Group Award.

"God, what an amazing ride this has been," bassist Jay DeMarcus said in accepting the nod. "Now I know how Brooks & Dunn feel."

Paisley, who at six nominations had more than any other nominee, took home the award for Top Male Vocalist, albeit remotely. The singer was home with wife Kimberly Williams, who is expected to go into labor, well, any minute now.

"I really want to thank you for this," he said via satellite. "I wish I could be there, but I didn't want to take the chance of missing the birth of our next child."


Despite his absence, Paisley tripled his pleasure at the ACM Awards, taking home Video of the Year for "Waitin' On a Woman," and Vocal Event of the Year, which he shared with Urban for their duet "Start a Band."

Meanwhile, providing the show with its requisite amount of drama was a last-minute pull-out by McGraw, who was due to perform alongside wife Faith Hill. McGraw reportedly backed out after a major disagreement over production design for his planned number. The Tennessean went so far as to claim he walked out of rehearsal Saturday night over the dispute.

As for Cyrus, who got tongues wagging in the run-up to tonight's show that the pop star was fixin' to make her career a little more country, a little less rock 'n roll in the coming years, performed "The Climb." She was introduced by papa Billy Ray who, never missing an opportunity to hype his superstar daughter, let loose with a flurry of release dates and Hannah Montana-type hawking in his preamble to the performance.

Fellow young'un Swift also performed at the show, and after being honored with the Top Album of the Year Award for Fearless, she was presented with a surprise piece of hardware by McEntire.

After her performance of "You're Not Sorry," crossover queen Swift was presented with a special ACM Crystal Mileston Award for bringing so many young people to country music.

"Are you serious?" the clearly surprised Swift asked. "To you guys who come to my show, I have absolutely fallen in love with you and will never forget you, ever."

Here's the complete list of winners for the 44th Annual ACM Awards:

•Entertainer of the Year: Carrie Underwood
•Top Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley
•Top Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood
•Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts
•Top Vocal Duo: Sugarland
•Top New Artist: Julianne Hough
•Top New Male Artist: Jake Owen
•Top New Female Artist: Julianne Hough
•Top New Vocal Duo or Group: Zac Brown Band
•Single Record of the Year: Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This"
•Top Album of the Year: Taylor Swift, Fearless
•Song of the Year: Jamey Johnson, "In Color"
•Video of the Year: Brad Paisley, "Waitin' On a Woman"
•Vocal Event of the Year: Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, "Start a Band"
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Chris Brown Smacked Down in New Diss Track

Chris Brown is due to face the music in court on Monday—or he can just turn on his radio today.

Smoke Jumpers, a little-known hip-hop act, is attempting to raise its profile with some Brown bashing, taking the disgraced R&B singer to task in a new track that includes the lyric: "Chris Brown should get his ass kicked."

Called "My Flow So Tight," the electronic-flavored ditty is touted on the group's website as "the official Chris Brown dis record" and claims the entertainer has no future in the music biz because of the Rihanna incident:

"Boy hits girl/Boy should be taken down/No matter who's around...All the money in the world but that's no excuse/Career suicide, yo, here's the noose."

The track has been in heavy rotation on urban radio stations in markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Pittsburgh and Tampa.

Smoke Jumpers promise that a portion of the proceeds from the single will go to various organizations for battered women.

A rep for Brown was unavailable for comment. The 19-year-old singer is due in an L.A. courtroom Monday afternoon to be arraigned on two felony counts stemming from the pre-Grammys altercation.

Journey Ends for Megan Joy on American Idol

Los Angeles – Someone had to stop believing tonight.

Following a rousing group performance of the Journey classic—was that Danny Gokey or Steve Perry out there?—another American Idol hopeful had to go, bringing the number of aspiring hitmakers down to eight.
In a tiny bit of twist, no contestant knew—for sure, that is—if he or she was safe until the second half hour of the show.
And in a bigger twist, Simon Cowell let tonight's castoff know in no uncertain terms that her swansong was going to be her final solo performance on the Idol stage.
Sure enough, after doing her best bird impression by flapping her wings and squawking to the side when informed she was in the bottom three, Megan Joy's encore of "Turn Your Lights Down Low" was it for her.
"Megan, with the greatest respect, when you said that you don't care—nor do we," Simon told her before she sang. "So I'm not going to pretend that we're even going to contemplate saving you."
Her dismissal wasn't a shock, though.
The 22-year-old single mom had started out so strong—one of his favorite auditions, Simon said way back when—but in recent weeks had taken a lot of heat for bad song choices and then, when the vocals weren't cutting it, for losing her edgy, individualistic style.
"Contestants, you are the best!" Megan said, addressing her fellow finalists onstage. "Judges, I love you. America, I love you," and, to her son, Ryder, "Baby—I'm coing home, baby. I'm coming home!"
Meanwhile, somehow our dear little Allison Iraheta had to sweat it out in the bottom three again—maybe America just isn't feeling her gritty 16-year-old rocker vibe. And rounding out the unlucky trio for the first time was Anoop Desai, who returned to "Beat It" form with last night's Usher impersonation.
We're thinking he was scared straight enough tonight to steer clear of the dance-happy R&B tunes from now on.

Before Ryan Seacrest got down to business, reigning champ David Cook, who canceled two concerts in New Hampshire and Rhode Island this week to deal with family matters, turned in a rather Idolicious pretaped performance of his new single, "Come Back to Me."
Then Kris Allen, whose stock has been skyrocketing the last couple of weeks, got the first chair on the safe side. He was followed by Matt Giraud, who was in the bottom three last week after a great performance and then followed it up with a so-so take on the Fray last night.
But apparently the voters—who numbered more than 36 million—knew how to save a life.
Also safe were Adam Lambert (duh), Danny Gokey (duh) and Scott MacIntyre, who rebounded with a people-pleasing Billy Joel tune yesterday.
Allison found out that America was at least slightly behind her after Lady Gaga showed up to sing "Poker Face."
The Top Eight will perform song from the year they were born next Tuesday.

Nickelback tops Canada's Juno awards

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) – Nickelback dominated Canada's annual music awards on Sunday, winning Juno trophies for group and album of the year as well as the fan choice honor.

Nickelback, riding high with their new album "Dark Horses," led all comers with five nominations going into the 38th edition of the Junos, which were handed out in Vancouver and broadcast on CTV.

Montreal rocker Sam Roberts picked up the Juno for artist of the year, while songstress Lights was named best new artist.

Toronto hip-hop artist Kardinal Offishall earned a trophy for best rap recording of the year, to add to the Juno for best single of the year he won during Saturday's pre-telecast for "Dangerous."

Also on Saturday, Montreal indie rockers the Stills grabbed Junos for best alternative album and new group.

Alanis Morissette earned best pop album honors for "Flavors of Entanglement," while British rockers Coldplay won for best international album of the year for "Viva La Vida."

Coldplay beat out AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Jack Johnson and Metallica for best international album of the year, the only Juno category open to non-Canadian acts and based on domestic music sales.

John Mayer: "Twitter Is Silly and Dumb!"

Los Angeles (E! Online) – The way John Mayer uses Twitter, you'd think he would have nothing but high praise for the social networking phenomenon.

But no, the singer actually has some harsh words for the latest in social messaging.

"It's inherently silly and it's inherently dumb," the singer told me last night at the One Splendid Evening benefit for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation aboard the Carnival Splendor cruise ship in San Pedro, Calif. "If you really think that Twitter is the pathway to spiritual enlightenment, well...It's one step away from sending pictures of your poop."

So why does the Grammy-winner twitter all the time?

"I've always communicated at a high level as best I can whether it's Twitter, Napster or message boards or wherever," Mayer said. "I don't have a devotion to Twitter. I didn't sell out to Twitter. You do Twitter until everybody gets off of Twitter and it's something else you go and try out."

After last night's benefit, which included performances by Jordin Sparks and Gavin Rossdale, the ship became the Mayercraft for a four-day cruise to Mexico for about 3,000 John Mayer fans.

Mayer made a splash last year when he wore a Borat-like green "mankini" during the inaugural trip. Sparks told me she hoped he would go "'80s fluorescent pink" this time around.

But the pink will have to wait. Mayer says he's already picked out a white number—and it's not a mankini.

"The item I am going to wear at some point on the boat is actually cut for a woman," he said. "I know this because the clasps go the other way and...there's a little bit of squeeze, which I know was architecturally designed for a woman."

As for his recent breakup with Jennifer Aniston, Mayer wasn't saying a word. The press was warned by his handler that if we tried to go there with him, our conversation would be over.

Britney Spears "Does Not Support" Roadies' Rowdy Behavior

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Britney Spears might be seeking a bit more than just Amy right now. She could be looking for a new contractor.

Early Thursday morning, Rockey Lee Dickey Jr. and Alex Montes, two employees of one of the companies contracted to provide equipment for the Circus Starring Britney Spears tour, were picked up by Pittsburgh police for aggravated assault, E! News confirms. Spears is set to perform in the Pennsylvania city Friday evening.

According to a statement from the police, officers saw Dickey, 34, in a physical altercation with a 30-year-old male, reportedly named Matthew Boyle. When they approached, Dickey allegedly swung at the officer and Montes, 23, attempted to intervene, placing another officer in a headlock.

The cops had to use a Taser to subdue Dickey. Montes made a run for it but was picked up shortly thereafter.

"Both actors had very strong odors of alcohol, slurred speech and bloodshot eyes," the police statement said. Both "will be charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, simple assault, public drunkenness and possible additional charges."

The two men were transported to the Allegheny County Jail. E! News has learned they were released a few hours later on $100,000 bail.

Dickey's mother, Dorothy Dickey, confirms to E! News exclusively that her son is traveling with the Spears road show doing lighting and rigging, a job he's done on various top tours, including those of Chris Brown and Snoop Dogg, since 1999. According to his mother, the single father of a 7-year-old boy has been arrested before, but not for assault.

"He is not violent," she says. "When someone has a problem, he lets them deal with it and doesn't get involved."

The victim was treated for injuries to his forehead and nose and was released. Neither officer was hurt.

By late Thursday, Spears' camp looked to distance itself from the fray.

"Neither of the men involved are employees of the tour or Ms. Spears," read a statement posted on the popster's website blog. "The two individuals have since been dismissed by their employer. The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour does not support or tolerate this type of behavior."

HSM3 Dominates, Miley Cries at Slimy Kids' Choice Awards

Los Angeles (E! Online) – It wouldn't be an awards show if a winner didn't cry.

While the 22nd Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards had few of the same ingredients of an Oscars or Grammys telecast, Miley Cyrus made sure the tradition stayed alive.

After shouldering losses for everything else with her name attached—Selena Gomez took the slimefest's Favorite TV Actress gong and iCarly swiped Favorite TV show out from underneath Hannah Montana—the starlet scored a win for Favorite Female Singer. Despite having taken home the orange Blimp in the same category last year, she got surprisingly choked up.

"I really thought I was going to lose, so thank you guys," she wept.

Those High School Musical kids—Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu, to be precise—were considerably more cheerful. The graduating class of East High took home one of the event's highest honors, Favorite Movie, beating out the likes of Iron Man and the Dark Knight. High School Musical 3: Senior Year's prom queen, Hudgens, also took home Favorite Female Movie Star.

Sadly, the Wildcats, as well as the "Climb" singer, managed to walk away from the Pauley Pavilion on UCLA's campus completely slime-free. Many others were not so lucky...

Host Dwayne Johnson presided over an active slime volcano and, throughout the show, sought the necessary "key" star to make it erupt. While the Jonas Brothers—who took home the Favorite Music Group Blimp, natch—forced the wet, green finale fiesta and Will Ferrell rode a slimy slip 'n' slide, the best, or at least gooiest, bits were more prank driven.

Favorite Male Singer Jesse McCartney received a good soaking from The Rock courtesy of a trick microphone. Mr. Oscar host himself, Hugh Jackman, and Sandra Bullock opened a winners' case only to receive the night's best dousing.

After a record more than 90 million votes, a winner was decided in the fierce book battle between Harry Potter and Edward Cullen. The Twilight series took home the Favorite Book award, and Taylor Lautner—not Robert Pattinson, sorry ladies—picked it up in Stephenie Meyer's absence.

Cameron Diaz was also on hand to award Leonardo DiCaprio the first-ever Big Green Help award for his environmental contributions. While the Blimp was green, neither scored a splash of goo.

Neither Rihanna or Chris Brown, who withdrew his two nominations prior to the event, were in attendance.

Before the night came to a close, the JoBros and the Pussycat Dolls performed a pair of their hits and Johnson donned a dress and wig to look like Cyrus. The only thing missing was the tears.