Only in Vegas!

Can't say even at a Liberace, Folies Bergere or even Cher show, would you see the star brave enough to get drowned on LIVE national TV. That was the kind of danger only an 18-year-old would consider !

Taylor Swift's act was one of many memorable moments at the 2008 ACMs.

It's hard to upstage that many stars in Vegas, but Taylor took a good shot at it! Wow.

Never start buying award polish before you get one. Never was that more evident than the ACMs this year!

Kenny remains in the Entertainer of the Year slot and how can you really argue with that? The facts do speak for themselves. Carrie is the hottest female singer.

The winners, in some cases, were a surprise. None bigger than Miranda Lambert in the Best Album category. Like the hood on Taylor or Reba's Roger Clemens joke, it was a night of what Miranda I think said (if I can read lips), "Holy S...!"

The fashion might be a bigger change than the music if you go back in time a few years. Designer everything. And for the most part, the ladies of Country look better than even the Oscar gals. What a best-dressed bunch! Not sure who wins the award for shortest dress! Go back and look at the red carpet only a few years ago. That is a change for the better.

While I take a shot at being Mr. Blackwell, Reba! You look great in the top and jeans!

I'm not going to name any names, but did anyone else notice all the folks who have lost weight? Not than anyone especially needed to, BUT it was noticeable on more than a few.

Like the world we live in, the music of '08 Country is as diverse as '08 America. It is a music of wide range isn't it?

Take Carrie's opening song and then 120 minutes later, catalogue country with Garth and "Friends in Low Places." From Kenny and George, who could have done "Shiftwork" on the 1998 show, to the hooded Taylor Swift. It's a broad range.

I am maybe most happy with Jack Ingram's long-overdue recognition. Good for the voters who made that happen! Brad Paisley the winner of Top Male Vocalist. I love Brad, and the other guys are the strong, too. Like Vince Gill, Brad is a good guy and all COUNTRY!

I was thrilled for my friend Linda Davis, who had to be crying when her daughter Hillary Scott picked up a trophy with her trip Lady Antebellum. (Linda had still the best EVER duet with Reba, "Does He Love You?")

George Strait remains the smoothest country singer east of Ray Price. Fifty-six #1s at age 56 ... coolest guy award winner of all time in this format! He's the Big Brown of the guy singers to me!

Yes, it was a surprise on the Shania/Mutt break-up. Mutt told People's Alexis Chiu on Friday, May 16th that "it's literally just growing apart." You never know, do you?

So, Memorial Day weekend as already here; two country award shows are down and one to go (CMAs). The road is wide open and most everyone is out there. Taylor Swift in Montgomery at a huge street festival Friday night (5/23) and it goes on from there.

Award shows may be past their day, but it was still better TV than whatever else was on Sunday night.

A salute to Dick Clark, who like George Strait is country music, remains the smoothest on-air guy in broadcast history. Dick's on-and-off air work was and is the best.

Maybe it just hit me in the soft spot, but good for you Carrie and Brad for your sweet Eddy Arnold tribute. His music deserves to live on. The man knew how to pick his music.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!