American Country Awards

History

Nominees for the first awards show were announced on October 18, 2010, with Lady Antebellum and Easton Corbin leading at seven nominations each. Carrie Underwood received six nominations, while Miranda Lambert and Josh Turner each had five. Voting ran through November 8, except for Artist of the Year, which closed on December 4. Trace Adkins hosted the ceremony. Winners received a custom Fender guitar instead of a trophy; the 2010 model was the Stratocaster, and the 2011 model was the Telecaster. At the 2010 show, Carrie Underwood won six awards, including Artist of the Year. Rascal Flatts received the Decade Award, Toby Keith the Visionary Artist award, and Alan Jackson the Greatest Hits Artist award. In 2011, Jason Aldean won six awards, including Artist of the Year. In 2012, Luke Bryan won seven awards, including Artist of the Year; Alabama received the Greatest Hits Artist award, and Toby Keith was named Artist of the Decade. Fox co-branded its New Year's Eve Live special for 2011–12 as American Country New Year's Eve Live, featuring performances by Rodney Atkins, Lauren Alaina, the Eli Young Band, Joe Nichols, and Toby Keith.