Flame-haired Rihanna sets the stage alight at Academy of Country Music Awards

By CHRIS JOHNSON

Show-stopping: Rihanna performed on stage at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas last night as she performed with Jennifer Nettles


Miranda Lambert is the big winner of the night as she takes home four gongs

Lady Antebellum took home two trophies, including album of the year

Carrie Underwood performs duet with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler

Taylor Swift wins entertainer of the year


Rihanna dispensed with her RnB roots last night as she took to the stage for a stunning duet at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

The 22-year-old singer joined forces with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and the pair brought the house down with their rendition of California King Bed.

It came on a night of big performances, which also saw Taylor Swift take to the stage and former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood share the microphone with one of the show's current judges, Steven Tyler.


Classic beauty: Rihanna looked elegant in a sophisticated white dress as she appeared on stage at the 46th annual event


The big winner of the night was Miranda Lambert, who took home four awards. She was nominated in seven categories.

Speaking ahead of her performance with Rihanna, Nettle said she was excited.

'It’s the first time that Lady Ri and I have ever sung together and the first time that this song will be performed live so we are thrilled,' she said.


Double the fun: The flame-haired singer joined forces with the Sugarland star and brought the house down with their rendition of California King Bed


'We’re just big fans of each other. We wanted to do something that was fun and different and fresh, and I reached out to her and said, "Hey, anything you want to do?" and she said, "I have this song that I specifically would love to do," and I said, "Yes ma’am, we will do it.”

'It is such a moment. And I think what it shows us is that good music is good and good performance is good, and as long as you like it, who cares what you call it. Get out there and have fun with each other.'

Lambert's track The House That Built Me helped the singer quickly match her win total from last year's ceremony while Lady Antebellum took home two trophies, including album of the year for Need You Now.


Rocking it: Aerosmith's Steven Tyler shared the stage with former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood


What a show: The pair performed a series of songs including Walk This Way


The two acts, who are the best of friends, celebrated on stage after Lambert, winner of last year's album of the year award for Revolution, announced the winner.

'Thank you, Miranda Lambert, for winning this last year and not being in the category this year,' Lady A's Charles Kelley said.

They were named vocal group of the year a few moments later.

The House That Built Me, written by Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas, won song, single record and video of the year Sunday night.

It mirrors a difficult time in Lambert's life, but those times are over and the song has helped Lambert's star rise to new heights.

It helped her win the Grammy for best female country performance and it also won Country Music Association's song of the year award as well.


Pretty in pink: Miranda Lambert accepts Single Record of the Year award for The House That Built Me with producer Frank Liddell


Performance: The country star won a total of four gongs last night after being nominated in seven categories


'Allen and Tom,' Lambert said after winning single record, 'thank you for writing the song of the year.'

The Band Perry claimed the best new artist award moments after singing their hit 'If I Die Young.' It was the trio of two brothers and one sister's second win after taking home top new vocal duo or group before the awards.

They were competing with Eric Church for top new artist.


Top honours: Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum accept the award for album of the year for Need You Now


Gong: A few moments later Donny and Marie Osmond presented Lady Antebellum with the award for top vocal group of the Year, hosts Blake Shelton, Lambert's fiance, and Reba McEntire seen right


Zac Brown Band, up for five awards, took home vocal event of the year with Alan Jackson for their collaboration on 'As She's Walking Away.'

Brad Paisley kicked off the ACMs with a little help from friends: Three members of the iconic group Alabama joined Paisley on his new song 'Old Alabama,' bringing the crowd at the MGM Grand to its feet Sunday night.

It was one of several big collaborations scheduled for the night. Moments later, Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood rocked out to Undo It then segued to the Aerosmith classic Walk This Way.


Entertainer: Taylor Swift performed on stage with a banjo in hand



Moving and shaking: She sang her song Mean at the event, wearing a frilly dress and heels


The show opened with co-host Blake Shelton singing a slow song to what appeared to Lambert, his fiancee.

But as the camera panned in on a blonde draped over a couch, it revealed the show's other co-host, Reba McEntire in a blonde wig.

'All right, Blake,' she said, 'that's enough rehearsing for your wedding night. We've got a show to do. Focus!'


Thanks: Taylor received the entertainer of the year award from presenter Ryan Seacrest


Guitar at the ready: Nicole Kidman's husband, country star Keith Urban, performed an acoustic number


Lambert was the night's top solo nominee with seven. She was still up for entertainer of the year, the most prestigious award, and with fans voting for it, it's especially hard to predict.

Neither Carrie Underwood nor Kenny Chesney - winners of the last six entertainer awards - were nominated this year.

Swift received the entertainer of the year award from presenter Ryan Seacrest at the awards show.


Stetsons ahoy: Brad Paisley, left, and Jason Aldean performing on stage


Welcome: Hosts Shelton and McEntire open the evening of awards and music




Walk This Way Steven Tyler Carrie Underwood 2011 ACM Country Music Awards Live Performance



Rihanna & Jennifer Nettles - California King Bed (Live at the Academy of Country Music Awards)



Taylor Swift arriving and meeting fans at the Academy of Country Music Awards 2011



source: dailymail