Country's brightest and hottest stars attended the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday night.

Several music stars ushered in spring with a variety of colorful gowns, including Carrie Underwood, who opted for a pink and red rose-patterened strapless dress.

Jewel turned heads in a pale pink sequined number, while Taylor Swift opted for a heavily beaded metallic gown.

Sheryl Crow made a departure from the norm in a blue jumpsuit, while Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Miranda Lambert wore black.

See the entire list of winners here, and check out more pho...

Scotty McCreery will release a new album, "Christmas with Scotty McCreery," on Oct. 16 that features many of the holiday songs that have played an important role in his life, as well as two exciting new originals that he hopes will have a place in many Christmases to come.

McCreery's goal for his Christmas album was to create a body of work that makes people feel good and celebrate the birth of Jesus. The album embraces the traditional country sound for which McCreery has become known, but he also stretches his boundaries a bit to showcase songs with a more rocking feel, like "Holly Jolly ...

"American Idol" star Scotty McCreery fell from a stage during a concert in New York on Friday.

The country singer opened for Brad Paisley at the Bethel Woods Center For The Arts when midway through his rendition of Travis Tritt's song "T.R.O.U.B.L.E." he tumbled into the crowd.

Ever the professional, McCreery hopped back up onstage to continue his performance. He even shared video footage of his mishap with fans on Twitter.

Two days later, jokester Paisley decorated the stage at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center with traffic cones and caution tape to prevent a repeat accident.

The ...

On Wednesday night, Carrie Underwood dominated the CMT Music Awards by taking home two trophies - her duet with Brad Paisley "Remind Me" won Collaborative Video Of The Year, and "Good Girl" was named Video Of The Year.

The "American Idol" starlet looked sexy in a short sequined dress with black heels and a matching clutch.

Another "Idol" star, Scotty McCreery, won Breakthrough Video Of The Year for "The Trouble With Girls," while Lady Antebellum took home Group Video Of The Year for "We Owned The Night." Sugarland won Duo Video Of The Year for "I Got You."

Miranda Lambert scooped up Fema...

American Idol Phillip Phillips' debut Home sold 278,000 digital copies, despite the finale of the competition being the least-viewed in the show's history. It's the best debut for an American Idol winner since Ruben Studdard 286,000 copies of Flying Without Wings in 2002.

Phillips first week outsold last year's winner Scotty McReery and his song I Love You This Big's first week by 100,000 copies.

Clay Aiken still holds the top spot for an American idol contender, as he sold 393,000 copies of This Is the Night despite coming in second to Studdard.

Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe sold 301...

Nothing against Phillip Phillips, who surely has some talent, but his win is the latest in a line of what fans have coined "White Guys with Guitars," or "WGWG." With ratings and record sales getting lower, can American Idol do anything to curb the trend?

Since the music competition allowed contestants to play instruments while singing, the show has seen David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, and Phillip Phillips take the prize over a more varied and (arguably) talented field. McCreery is a bit different, slanting towards crooning country instead of the light pop the rest of t...

Academy of Country Music New Artist trophy winner Scotty McCreery has chosen to turn his back on fame later this year to return to his studies at his father's alma mater.

The 18-year-old American Idol winner will be a student at North Carolina State University in Raleigh after he completes a summer tour with Brad Paisley.

He tells CMT Radio, "I have decided to head down to Raleigh where my dad went to college at North Carolina State for at least for two years and maybe transfer to Nashville then. I'm excited."

McCreery reveals he was accepted at all four schools he applied to, including ...

Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson scored two trophies each at Sunday night's Academy Of Country Music Awards.

But Taylor Swift won the coveted Entertainer of the Year prize for the second year in a row. She told the audience, "Thank you so much to the fans who voted for this. I am so happy about this."

The singer looked beautiful and more mature, wearing heavier than usual make-up and a white shift dress with metallic accents.

The main ACM winners were:

Entertainer of the Year - Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist of the Year - Blake Shelton

Female Vocalist of the Year - Miranda...

Teenage country star Scotty McCreery is returning to high school to serve out the final months of his senior year.

North Carolina native McCreery put his studies on hold to audition for the 10th season of hit show American Idol in 2011. He won the competition and extended his leave of absence to concentrate on his music career.

However, the I Love You This Big hit-maker is now setting his sights on furthering his education, revealing he's due to finish up his time at Garner Magnet High School once he wraps up his concert tour with Brad Paisley this spring.

He tells the News Observer, ...

The second annual American Country Awards took place in Las Vegas last night. Carrie Underwood, who took home three awards, looked cute as a button in a strapless white dress and purple cuffed pumps.

Kristin Chenoweth made fans green with envy in a cleavage revealing gown, while Jordin Sparks looked sophisticated in an off-the-shoulder white dress.

The boys from The Band Perry channeled the '70s with butterfly collared shirts, and Jason Aldean tore up the red carpet in ripped jeans.

Check out all the fashion in the following pages!

Jordin Sparks

Kristin Chenoweth

Lauren Alai...

Singer Jason Aldean has dominated the second ever American Country Awards, taking home six out of eight trophies on Monday night.

The star won all but two of the prizes he was nominated for, including the prestigious Album of the Year and Artist of the Year titles. He also shared the collaborative Single and Music Video of the Year prizes with Kelly Clarkson for their duet Don't You Wanna Stay.

After taking to the stage for a second time, he told the audience, "This is getting a little ridiculous now. I don't know what else to say. It's been a crazy year."

Country sweetheart Carrie Un...

The stars were out on the streets of New York City for the 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, including Neil Diamond (who's releasing yet another greatest hits album Dec. 6), Cee Lo Green, Avril Lavigne, Mary J. Blige and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery.

All the real stars were there too - Kermit the Frog, Mickey Mouse, Spider-Man, Spongebob and tons of other, all capped off by the arrival of the one and only Santa Claus.

Unfortunately for Scotty, though, he inadvertently let us all in on a little-known secret about the parade - he flubbed his chance to make peo...

Reigning "American Idol" champion Scotty McCreery has made chart history by becoming the first country artist to debut an album at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Having just turned 18, he's also the youngest male artist to enter the countdown at the top with a debut, beating Omarion - who charted with O in 2005 - by two years.

McCreery's new album "Clear as Day" has opened with 197,000 sales, making him the first "American Idol" winner since 2003 to hit number one with their first release.

Ironically, his success comes just days after the last "Idol" winner, Lee DeWyze, was dropp...

It's the next big event after the American Idol winner is crowned: The first music video! This year, Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina released their music videos on the same week to help everyone through the off-season.

Scotty McCreery offers this music video to his song, "I Love You This Big." It's definitely seasonal, with a barbeque and a summer day.

Lauren Alaina released the music video for "Like my Mother Does," and she put all of those old family videos and pictures to good use! Her real mother is featured throughout the video in old footage.

Fin...

Superstar Jennifer Lopez has officially signed on to return as an American Idol judge for a second season of the hit TV talent show.

The singer/actress was recently said to have agreed a deal with Fox TV executives worth a staggering $20 million, but had yet to sign on the dotted line.

However, producer Nigel Lythgoe has now confirmed Lopez will reunite with Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and record producer Randy Jackson on the judging panel for the upcoming 11th series of the talent competition.

Making the announcement on Idol host Ryan Seacrest's Los Angeles radio show on Wednesday, ...

Adele has scored a fourth week at the top of the U.S. pop charts as "American Idol" finalists Scott McCreery and Lauren Alaina charge into the new top 20.

The Brit's "Rolling in the Deep" keeps Pitbull's "Give Me Everything" off the top of the Billboard countdown, which will officially be revealed on Thursday, while Katy Perry's "E.T." rounds out the top three.

But the big talking point of the new chart is the debuts of McCreery and Alaina. Idol champion McCreery scores the Hot 100's Hot Shot Debut with victory ballad "I Love You This Big" at 11, while Alaina's "Like My Mother Does" debut...

Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina might be more than competitors on American Idol. Runner-up Alaina even hints that they might be dating.

American Idol’s Lauren Alaina might have come in second on the show, but she might just be number one in winner Scotty McCreery’s heart. The question everyone wants to know today: Are they dating?

The questions started when Alaina kissed McCreery on the lips after he was crowned the new American Idol.

"I kissed him on the lips," Alaina told an Entertainment Tonight reporter at the Idol after party.

So, are they dating?

"He might be my boyfriend, he...

Carrie Underwood attended Fox's "American Idol" finale results show last night in a short, sexy geometric dress by Lorena Sarbu. The blonde beauty certainly knows how to look good on the red carpet.

Carrie was the first country singer to win "Idol." She has been wildy successful ever since appearing on the 2005 season.

Meanwhile, this season's winner, Scotty McCreery, is also a country crooner. Do you think he can match Carrie's fame and fortune?

Click for more great Carrie Underwood pictures:

Check out more "American Idol" news here:

• 'American Idol' Finale Mega-Diary: The B...

Last year, I wondered if, in the midst of Simon’s departure and one of the show’s worst seasons both from a quality and ratings standpoint, if the finale of this show was going to be worth the mega-diary treatment next year.

Well, it turns out it is, as ‘Idol’ came back better than anyone could have realistically expected. I couldn’t be happier, and here’s the mega-diary to prove it!

8:04 – 4 Minutes in and we still haven’t finished the introductions. But at least we got a Lori Loughlin sighting!

8:04 – Really? Scotty fans packed the RBC Center to do…nothing? They can’t even do that for ...

After more than 122 million votes the verdict is in: country singer Scotty McCreery is the new American Idol!

Scotty defeated fellow country singer Lauren Alaina, who was given the edge by judges after Tuesday night's performances.

Host Ryan Seacrest made the announcement after an action-packed show featuring performances by Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jack Black, Gladys Knight, Marc Anthony and even metal gods Judas Priest. Idol's two new Judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were even in on the action - J. Lo danced backup to hubby Anthony's performance and Tyler belted out a rousing, yet run...

A top doctor was called to the set of American Idol on Tuesday to save wannabe star Lauren Alaina's voice for the penultimate episode of the TV talent show.

The pressure got the better of the young singer as she rehearsed for her big night - and it cost her voice. Worried producers considered replacing Alaina with Haley Reinhart, who was voted off the show last week, as doctors attempted to make sure the country singer would be OK for the live performance show.

During the program she had to belt out a personal favorite, a tune chosen for her by former Idol winner Carrie Underwood and a ...

The most boring finalists ever. That seemed to be the conventional wisdom going into the evening. That, despite a strong start, this season of ‘Idol’ was destined to fall into oblivion with two dull finalists that wouldn’t be able to deliver the finale this Renaissance season deserved.

Yes, that might be true. It may have been more interesting to see James square off against Pia or Jacob take on Haley, but that doesn’t necessarily mean this is the most boring collection of contestants ever, does it?

Here’s a ranking of finale pairings from least boring to most boring:

9 (Least Boring): S...

Well, it wasn’t for not trying. If there’s one contestant this year who really developed and emerged over the course of the season it was Haley Reinhart. Look at where she started. A frizzy-haired oversinging novice who only got through because of the softest judging panel since the OJ Jury.

From there she barely snuck through every step of the way and had me flabbergasted that the judges selected her as a Wild Card. I was surprised she even got the chance to sing a second time.

Somehow, she finagled her way into the top 13 only to sit on the bottom of my power rankings just about every s...

Raise your game. This was a favorite catchphrase of Simon’s back when he was still judging things, and something, after James Durbin’s exit, ‘Idol’ needed desperately for its contestants to do tonight.

It’s not like James was the first major shocker and big time talent to bite the dust this year, but so far the talent has been so deep that the show’s been able to brush off the loss of talent as there’s always been a transcendent contestant waiting behind.

Well that’s not really the case anymore. Scotty’s great, but we know what we’re getting from him every time. Haley’s definitely improve...

Now this one I just can’t figure out.

To me, there were three major talents on the show this year. Three performers that transcended the confines of this karaoke competition show and actually seemed like they could be recording artists. Those three were Pia, Jacob and James. And now none of them have made it to the top three.

I can understand what happened to the first two. Pia, for some reason, was overly criticized by the judges to the point that America was being told she was the worst contestant. Jacob just never seemed to connect with the audience. But James…I just didn’t get James.
...

Gaga! Lieber and Stoller! The chance to be celebrated at home! ‘Idol’ rushed right into last night and so will we. Let’s get right to the recap…

So who was up to the challenge? Read on to find out…

James Durbin’s First Performance: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

Steven Said: You did it right.

J-Lo Said: It was a really really great job.

Randy Said: That was the highest degree of difficulty and you did it.

The Verdict:

Here’s the problem with this performance and it underscores the major problem with this show in general: The time constraints forced it to be so incredibly rushed. T...

After weeks of making the same prediction, I’m finally right.

It was easy to feel it coming. For some reason the audience never quite connected with Jacob. He was always in and around the bottom three, never quite got the cheers, and the judges were always very restrained in their praising him.

I’ve never understood any of this. To me, Jacob was the best contestant this year by a long shot, and the best since Adam Lambert – maybe even better. Yes, he had a tendency to veer into oversinging territory on more than one occasion and he may have been a bit too ostentatious for some people’s ta...

This is where the real competition finally begins.

I’ve long been an advocate of a different voting format than the one employed on this show: Make the voting cumulative for the first half-dozen performance shows and once we get down to the two-a-nights, make it a straight up elimination round where you vote contestants off.

That system is much more fair because now the contestants are afforded the chance to make a mistake with either a song choice or a bad few bars and still recover due to their singing two songs each night.

It also means that if a contestant is significantly better tha...

At long last, my personal ‘Idol’ nightmare is over.

I feel a bit bad reveling in the fact that Casey’s dream died last evening. At least I would if I actually thought it was his dream. Casey’s definitely a guy more comfortable dodging smoke rings in a leatherette-festooned lounge than he is on the ‘Idol’ stage. But why wouldn’t he be on the show? No matter what your taste or style, it’s hard to deny the stage. And even if it’s not an opportunity Casey would necessarily want, I’m sure he’s disappointed.

So should I gloat? Should I pile on Casey in the wake of his being ousted from the bigg...

I’ve eaten a lot of crow this year between the saying Scotty had no chance to win and proclaiming Molly Dewolf Swenson the most beautiful woman on the planet (okay, I was right about that one), but I was never as wrong about anything as I was about the restrictive theme nights.

It seems this year, the more restrictive the theme, the better the contestants have been. They blew it out on Elton John night, did a solid Motown evening and haven’t had any trouble adapting their styles to whatever song choice or genre is thrown at them.

In fact, tonight, on an evening devoted entirely to Carole ...