ACAs

It's a mistake to compare the American Country Awards to the CMA Awards, or even the ACM Awards, country music's other Las Vegas-based awards show. The CMT Awards or CMA Country Christmas specials are more fair comparisons. Expectations for Fox's awards show have been too high since the beginning -- it airs in December, after television's sweeps month, against network reruns and Christmas movies.

Luke Bryan had to try to calm down his cheering fans long enough to allow him to introduce the talented LeAnn Rimes for a Patsy Cline tribute -- one that ended with a standing ovation from both fans and artists.

Miranda Lambert presented the first of the 2012 American Country Awards winners with guitar on Monday (Dec. 10) night, but later came back to accept three of her own at the star-studded event. However, it was Luke Bryan's night to shine, as the 'I Don't Want This Night to End' singer won nine total ACAs, including two for his radio successes.