Country stars shine in Vegas at Academy of Country Music awards

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn present the entertainer of the year award to Keith Urban. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

(Reuters) - Country music royalty turned out in force on Sunday for a glittering night of live performances and honors at the 54th annual Academy of Country Music awards.

Host Reba McEntire, marking a record 16th time in the job, wasted no time in addressing one of the evening's touchy subjects - the lack of women nominees in some top categories.

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Carrie Underwood performs "Southbound." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Noting recent snow in Las Vegas, where the awards were held in a live, performance-heavy broadcast, McEntire quipped "it was so cold it froze us women out of entertainer of the year."

Grammy award album of the year winner Kacey Musgraves was glaringly absent from the all-male nominees top category.

The honor went to Keith Urban, whose wife actress Nicole Kidman appeared genuinely shocked at his win.

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Kacey Musgraves accepts the female artist of the year award. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

But Musgraves took home both the album of the year and female artist of the year awards.

Accepting the latter, Musgraves said "I'm so thankful for the chance to share my political perspective," dedicating the award to women who felt pressure to silence themselves.

And women ruled the MGM Grand Garden Arena stage as Chrissy Metz, of hit NBC show "This Is Us," made her live TV performance debut, alongside country stars Lauren Alaina, Mickey Guyton and Maddie & Tae for a stirring rendition of “I’m Standing With You.”

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Keith Urban performs "Burden." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line opened the show with a rousing performance of "Can't Hide Red," but some on social media took offense to Tyler Hubbard's American flag suit, branding it a "disgrace" besmirching a sacrosanct national symbol.

Dan + Shay scored three straight early wins, for song of the year and single of the year for "Tequila," also winning duo of the year.

Male artist of the year went to Thomas Rhett.

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Dierks Bentley and Brandi Carlile perform "Travelin' Light." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

The star-laden three-hour show marked an upbeat return to celebrating country music after last year's awards assumed a somber note following the October 2017 mass shooting, also in Las Vegas, that killed 58 people at a country music festival.

Aldean, who was performing when shooting broke out, received the ACM artist of the decade award.

Other A-list country stars performing included Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, McEntire and George Strait.

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Reba McEntire performs "Freedom." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

(Editing by Michael Perry)

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - George Strait and Miranda Lambert perform "Run." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Chrissy Metz performs "I'm Standing With You." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards – Photo Room– Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 – Dan + Shay pose backstage with their awards for Duo of The Year, Single of The Year and Song of The Year for Tequila. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Jason Aldean performs a medley with Kelly Clarkson. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards – Photo Room– Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 – Lanco pose backstage with their award for New Duo or Group of The Year award. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Blake Shelton performs "God's Country." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Old Dominion perform "Make It Sweet." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Little Big Town perform "The Daughters." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Carly Pearce and Michael Ray present the duo of the year award. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay perform "Keeping Score" with Kelly Clarkson. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Shay Mooney and Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay embrace as they accept the duo of the year award. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Luke Combs performs "Beautiful Crazy." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - George Strait performs "God and Country Music." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Maren Morris performs with John Osborne and T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Maren Morris performs with John Osborne and T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Luke Bryan performs "Knockin' Boots." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Miranda Lambert performs a medley. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Thomas Rhett performs. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

54th Academy of Country Music Awards- Show - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 7, 2019 - Jason Aldean performs "Can't Hide Red" with Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni