Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Wow, we’re 10 minutes into the Academy of Country Music awards show, and I think we’ve already heard as much music as we do doing an American Idol performance show.

Carrie Underwood, looking lovely in white, already sang a snippet of “All-American Girl,” and we’ve heard from Taylor Swift, Sugarland and others.

Carrie and fellow Idol alumna Kellie Pickler were both interviewed on the Orange Carpet before the show. Kellie talked about her bronze shoes and her dress flown in from Paris. Apparently, the small-town girl from Albemarle, N.C., has turned into quite the fashion diva.

Carrie’s up for four awards, including video of the year for the song “Just a Dream.” She talked about the video on the Orange Carpet. She usually has so much fun at video shoots, she said she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to make herself cry for the video.

But it turned out that wasn’t nearly as awkward as kissing her video boyfriend. “It’s so awkward, kissing a stranger in front of like 50 people,” Carrie said.

Carrie’s facing stiff competition tonight as she tries to add to the six ACM awards she has snagged in past years.

Taylor Swift is among her competitors in most of the categories, including female vocalist of the year. Carrie has won that award two years in a row.

And, as you’ve likely heard several times by now, Carrie is vying to be the first female entertainer of the year since the Dixie Chicks won in 2000.

It’s time for Carrie to perform in the mystery dress.

Oh, my, Carrie wasn’t joking.

That’s a lot of dress. Like lava. Yeah, that’s a good description. I’m just imagining what Simon Cowell would say. By the way, the song is “I Told You So,” her latest single, the song she sang with Randy Travis on the Idol results show a couple of weeks back.

Just one question, how in the world are they going to get Carrie off the stage? Hope AP moves a couple of photos of that dress for those of you who aren’t watching.

OK, here goes the first category Carrie is nominated for — Top Female Vocalist. And Carrie wins for the third year in a row. And she’s heading to the stage in the fourth different dress she has worn tonight. Says Carrie: “I feel like I just won American Idol all over again.”

Time for the album of the year award. Carrie’s one of the five nominees. And the winner is … Taylor Swift for “Fearless.” A much deserved honor. She just received congratulations from Kellie Pickler, her tour buddy. They’re pictured together below.

That makes Carrie one for three. The video of the year award went to Brad Paisley for “Waitin’ on a Woman.” Carrie had been nominated for “Just a Dream.

The final award of the night is entertainer of the year. And the winner is … Carrie Underwood. The first female winner since 2000! Way to go Carrie!

That has her in tears.

“I’ve had a lot of great moments in the last four years,” she said. “This takes the cake. I never thought I would be nominated. And I never thought I would win.”

(All Photos from the Associated Press)

Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry arrive for the ACM awards.

Gloriana arrives for the ACM awards. That’s Cheyenne Kimball, Jason Castro’s former flame, at right. Gloriana is touring with Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift this summer.

Carrie Underwood poses for photos prior to the show.

Actress Nicole Kidman and singer Keith Urban arrive for the ACM Awards

John Rich arrives for the ACM Awards

Miley Cyrus arrives for the show.

Reba McEntire and her husband arrive for the ACM awards.

Rascal Flatts arrives for the ACM awards.

Little Big Town arrives for the ACM awards show.

Julianne Hough the won best new artist award at Sunday’s show.

Kellie Pickler and tour buddy Taylor Swift prior to the show.