Country stars return to Vegas for ACM awards after 2017 mass shooting

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Photo Room - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Jason Aldean poses backstage with his award for Entertainer of the Year. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

(Reuters) - Singer Carrie Underwood returned to the stage on Sunday after a serious face injury as country stars went back to Las Vegas for the first time since a mass shooting there last October.

Opening the three-hour Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards show at a hotel less than a mile from the scene of the Oct. 1 shooting that killed 58 people and wounded more than 850, singer Jason Aldean paid tribute to the victims and invoked the healing power of music.

"We wanted to open the show with something that sums up what it's like for our country music family to be back in Las Vegas for the first time since October 1," said Aldean, who was performing on stage when a gunman opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest country festival from the window of a hotel on the Vegas strip.

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Photo Room - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Midland poses with the award for New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

"We thought about starting with a song, but it's a lot bigger than a single song. It's everything you'll hear tonight," said the "You Make It Easy" singer, who was later named entertainer of the year.

In the most anticipated performance of the night, Underwood emerged from five months of isolation following a fall at her home that required 40-50 stitches to her face.

Performing her new single "Cry Pretty," her face seemed well recovered and Underwood was welcomed back with a long standing ovation that left the former "American Idol" winner overcome with emotion.

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Photo Room - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Lauren Alaina enters the photos room before posing backstage with her award for New Female Vocalist of the Year. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

"I'm still kinda shaky right now," Underwood said afterward, fighting back tears.

Miranda Lambert was named female vocalist of the year for the 9th time in a row, and she also won best song for her heartbreaking single "Tin Man," thought to be inspired by her 2015 divorce from country star Blake Shelton.

"Thanks for sharing my broken heart with me," said Lambert, accepting her award in front of an audience that included Shelton and his new girlfriend, pop singer Gwen Stefani.

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Photo Room - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Old Dominion poses backstage with their award for Vocal Group of the Year. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Lambert also made ACM history by taking her all-time wins to 32, surpassing the record held by veteran duo Brooks & Dunn.

Other winners on Sunday included Chris Stapleton for both male vocalist and album of the year for "From a Room: Vol. 1"; Old Dominion for vocal group of the year, and Brothers Osborne for vocal duo of the year.

Stapleton was not present because his wife was expecting twins. Show host Reba McEntire, accepting the award on his behalf, broke the news of their arrival.

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Chris Janson performs "Redneck Life." REUTERS/Mike Blake

"We just found out that those little rascals came a little bit early. Hot off the press, twin boys," said McEntire.

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Toby Keith and Blake Shelton (R) perform "Should've Been A Cowboy." REUTERS/Mike Blake

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Darren Schuettler)

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Miranda Lambert (C) performs "Keeper Of The Flame." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Little Big Town perform "Rocket Man." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood accept the award for Vocal Event of the Year for "The Fighter." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Kelly Clarkson and show host Reba McEntire (R) perform "Does He Love You." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Darius Rucker performs "For The First Time." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Lady Antebellum perform "Heart Break." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Bebe Rexha (C) joins Brian Kelley (L) and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line while performing "Meant To Be." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Thomas Rhett performs "Marry Me." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Luke Bryan performs "Most People Are Good." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Photo Room - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - (L-R) Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall pose backstage with their award for Song of the Year for "Tin Man". REUTERS/Steve Marcus

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Nancy O'Dell and Dustin Lynch present the award for Single Record of the Year. REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina perform "What Ifs." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Kelsea Ballerini performs "I Hate Love Songs." REUTERS/Mike Blake

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards - Photo Room - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., 15/04/2018 - Host Reba McEntire poses backstage. REUTERS/Mike Blake