28 Ways the ACMs Are Going to put the "Big" in Big D

1. The ACMs are turning 50, and this year’s event is guaranteed to be the biggest.

1. 1. The ACMs are turning 50, and this year’s event is guaranteed to be the biggest.

They are going all out for this year’s award ceremony, and the celebration is going to be huge. There’s no better place for the country music extravaganza of the year than Dallas, Texas.
2. An enormous event like the ACMs requires a huge venue.

2. 2. An enormous event like the ACMs requires a huge venue.

The Academy of Country Music Awards is country music’s biggest night every year, and the hottest names deserve the nation’s hottest football stadium. This year, the ACMs will be hosted at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Strap on those boots, ‘cause this year is going to get wild!
© Ray Carlin/Icon Sportswire/Corbis
3. The ACMs spotlight the biggest names in country music.

3. 3. The ACMs spotlight the biggest names in country music.

While he may not be nominated this year, country music legend George Strait will give a special performance at this year’s ACMs. As if seeing George Strait perform isn’t exciting enough, Reba McEntire will also light up the stage.
© Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis
4. The ACMs are home to the biggest jokesters.

4. 4. The ACMs are home to the biggest jokesters.

Hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton sure know how to have a good time and keep the crowd roaring with laughter. At last year’s ACM Awards, the two jokers dressed up as Daft Punk, and it’s safe to assume they’ll have even bigger surprises this year.
© Robert Galbraith/Reuters/Corbis
5. Stars arrive wearing the biggest bling.

5. 5. Stars arrive wearing the biggest bling.

The only thing shinier than the performers’ personalities is their excellent choice in accessories. Last year, Miranda Lambert arrived wearing the hottest, glitziest heels, which matched perfectly with her sparkly pedicure. These stars know how to rock the mic and the red carpet!
© Splash News/Corbis
6. The ACMs host one of the biggest charity events of the year.

6. 6. The ACMs host one of the biggest charity events of the year.

The Party for a Cause Festival is one of the hottest music events of the year, featuring over 60 country music performances and benefitting charities. This year’s concert will take place on April 17 and 18, and a special will air on May 15 on CBS.
© Smallpix/Splash News/Corbis
7. The biggest country music collaborations take place on stage at the ACMs every year.

7. 7. The biggest country music collaborations take place on stage at the ACMs every year.

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw? Now that’s one incredible duo! If everything’s bigger in Texas, you can bet the country music collaborations will be huge.
© Steve Marcus/Reuters/Corbis
8. The surprises are always huge.

8. 8. The surprises are always huge.

Blake Shelton may have been the only person who was truly shocked when he won the award for “Best Male Vocalist.”
9. The ACMs are filled with the most heartfelt speeches.

9. 9. The ACMs are filled with the most heartfelt speeches.

Luke Bryan melted everyone’s hearts last year with his emotional acceptance speech for “Best Male Vocalist.” Despite having gone through an incredibly difficult year, he still beamed with positivity and appreciation for his fans.
© Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis
10. The ACMs welcome the biggest family bands.

10. 10. The ACMs welcome the biggest family bands.

“Music, barbecue, and family” may as well be Texas’s motto, since it’s got some of the best of each. What better place for musical acts like The Band Perry to take the stage?
© Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis
11. The ACMs are home to some of the biggest theatrics.

11. 11. The ACMs are home to some of the biggest theatrics.

Little Big Town blew everyone away with their performance of “Your Side of the Bed” at the 2013 ACMs.
© Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis
12. The ACMs air some of the most romantic moments.

12. 12. The ACMs air some of the most romantic moments.

During an acceptance speech at the 2013 ACMs, Blake Shelton praised his wife, Miranda Lambert, by saying: “I’ve learned so much from this human being standing next to me. She blows me away. I used to think I was a decent songwriter until I was hanging around with her and this is proof of it. Thank you so much baby. I love you.” Does it get any cuter than that?
© Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis
13. The men go all out on the red carpet.

13. 13. The men go all out on the red carpet.

Dressing up for the ACMs isn’t just for the ladies, as Florida Georgia Line proved last year. Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard know that it’s important to look as loud and fun as your sound.
© Jenna Blake/Corbis
14. The ladies wear the biggest, most beautiful gowns.

14. 14. The ladies wear the biggest, most beautiful gowns.

Kacey Musgraves looked absolutely stunning in an icy blue gown at last year’s ACM Awards.
© Paul A. Hebert/Press Line Photos/Splash News/Corbis
15. Artists make the biggest toasts at the ACMs.

15. 15. Artists make the biggest toasts at the ACMs.

Toby Keith actually went into the crowd to make a toast during his 2012 performance of “Red Solo Cup.” If you’re looking for the biggest party of the year, you’ll find it at the ACMs!
© Steve Marcus/Reuters/Corbis
16. The ACMs feature some of the biggest beards in country music

16. 16. The ACMs feature some of the biggest beards in country music

Texas may be packed with cowboys, but the ACMs will be bringing the beards. John Osborne of Brothers Osborne will show off his glorious beard at this year’s award ceremony. © Chris Schwegler/Retna Ltd./Corbis
17. Country stars perform the greatest guitar solos.

17. 17. Country stars perform the greatest guitar solos.

Keith Urban sure knows how to captivate a crowd with an incredible guitar solo, and he loves to bust out his skills at the ACMs. © Smallpix/Splash News/Corbis
18. The ACMs are proud to host country music’s biggest winners.

18. 18. The ACMs are proud to host country music’s biggest winners.

There’s no denying Miranda Lambert is taking over the country music scene. She won three awards at the ACMs last year, and she’s nominated for eight awards this year. Girl’s on fire! © Splash News/Corbis
19. The ACMs attract television’s biggest stars.

19. 19. The ACMs attract television’s biggest stars.

NCIS: Los Angeles star LL Cool J graced the red carpet at last year’s ACMs, uniting the acting, rap, and country worlds all at once! Tune-in to NCIS: Los Angeles on Mondays at 10/9c. © Jenna Blake/Corbis
20. The ACMs are a must for big adventurers.

20. 20. The ACMs are a must for big adventurers.

You can dress ‘em up, but you can’t keep ‘em from getting dirty! The ACMs are the perfect place for stars like Luke Bryan who want to have a little fun outside. In the picture above, Luke takes aim at the ACM & Cabela’s Great Outdoor Archery Event. © Debby Wong/Corbis
21. Stars brighten up the stage with the biggest and baddest light shows.

21. 21. Stars brighten up the stage with the biggest and baddest light shows.

Luke Bryan literally lit up the stage at the 2013 ACMs with his stellar performance of “Crash My Party.” © Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis
22. The ACMs bring out the stars’ biggest smiles.

22. 22. The ACMs bring out the stars’ biggest smiles.

Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum were all smiles after winning the awards for “Top Vocal Group of the Year” and “Album of the Year” in 2011. It’s hard to be anything but happy when you’re surrounded by such great performers! © Nina Prommer/Corbis
23. The biggest collection of cowboy hats will swarm AT&T Stadium this year.

23. 23. The biggest collection of cowboy hats will swarm AT&T Stadium this year.

If you think Jason Aldean looks good in his signature cowboy hat, wait until you see the thousands of cowboy hats proudly worn at this year’s ACMs! For a country music lover and cowboy hat aficionado, Dallas is certainly the place to be. © Splash News/Corbis
24. This year’s ACMs will have some of the biggest performances by non-country music artists.

24. 24. This year’s ACMs will have some of the biggest performances by non-country music artists.

Both Christina Aguilera and Nick Jonas will join country music artists in Dallas, Texas for this year’s ACMs. © Kurt Krieger/Corbis
25. The ACMs will host country music’s No. 1 bromance.

25. 25. The ACMs will host country music’s No. 1 bromance.

Hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton may take a lot of jabs at each other, but it’s all in good fun. These two stars are great friends, and their bromance is sure to be hilarious to watch as they host the ACMs again this year.
26. Prepare for the biggest hair.

26. 26. Prepare for the biggest hair.

Sometimes the best way to amp up your performance is by amping up your look. Kelby Ray knows the only way to match The Cadillac Three’s huge sound is to rock even bigger hair. © Smallpix/Splash News/Corbis
27. The ACMs love to start each award show with a big bang.

27. 27. The ACMs love to start each award show with a big bang.

The Band Perry rocked the stage — and the audience — last year when they doused the crowd with confetti at the beginning of the ceremony. Given the choice to “go big or go home,” the ACMs will always choose to go big. © Robert Galbraith/Reuters/Corbis
28. Finally, it’s the fans who make the ACMs the biggest country music event of the year.

28. 28. Finally, it’s the fans who make the ACMs the biggest country music event of the year.

The amount of love and support country music fans show their favorite artists is incredible — just ask Florida Georgia Line! To all the fans: You’re the ones who really put the “Big” in Big D. See you at the ACMs! © STARPICZ/Splash News/Corbis