Poll: Best performance at the Academy of Country Music Awards?

This post has been corrected. Please see note at the bottom for details.

"Wonderful!" Nicole Kidman gasped as TV cameras spied her in the audience after Zac Brown and James Taylor teamed up at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Kidman and hubby Keith Urban were on their feet along with everyone else in the MGM Grand auditorium cheering the joint performance of Brown's "Colder Weather" and Taylor's "Sweet Baby James."

That was one of several performances that earned standing ovations at the ACM Awards, but was it the best?  The audience rose up again to salute Ronnie Dunn making his solo debut. His performance of "Bleed Red" was so amazing that TV cameras caught Taylor Swift gasping "Wow!" in the audience as she leapt to her feet in awe.

Another standing ovation greeted Darius Rucker leading a choir of disabled singers from the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp in the new tune "Music From the Heart."

Other knockout performance combos included Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles teaming up with Rihanna to sing "California King Bed." Brad Paisley wowed the crowd crooning "Old Alabama" with the music group Alabama, and Carrie Underwood rocked the joint singing "Undo It" and "Walk This Way" with Steven Tyler.

For the record, 11:32 a.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly referred to the James Taylor song "Sweet Baby James" as "Sweet Baby Jane."

-- Tom O'Neil

Photo: Taylor Swift at the ACM Awards. Credit: Julie Jacobson / Associated Press

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Comments

[Gary]

I loved the performance, but I don't like that they were not actually playing the instruments, or at least the fiddle player wasn't playing, so it makes me wonder what else was being Manilli Vanillied. I play fiddle in a country band, and I know when someone is really playing, and when they are not. Love Taylor Swift though, and even if it was all faked, it's a great tune!

[Gloria]

Personally I didn't think all those duets were that great. Brad Paisley is one of the boringest singers to me..thank goodness Alabama came in and saved his performance. Most of his songs that he does with other people are his best. He is so bland alone. But give me Keith Urban and his guitar and a beautiful voice and song....OUTSTANDING. He was my favorite of the night.Should have him on your poll. Taylor may not have been lip-synching but she must have been using an auto-tuner. She was not playing banjo, that was what some called a Ganjo. It looks like a Banjo, but a banjo only has 4 strings and this had six. Keith Urban uses those...Ganjo not banjo.

[cynthia]

Entertainer of the Year is not about one good performance on one specific show. It's about being an all-around good entertainer consistently. That means good performances, good music, good choices, keeping control of the stage and the audience by your talent, etc all the time. When you look at that the only person I can think of that never disappoints whether in a live show, on tv, recordings or anyplace else is Keith Urban. He is the complete package..drenched in talent and personality. He should have won Entertainer of the Year or at the very least, Favorite Male Artist.

[Alice Johnson]

The BEST performance of the night was by far Keith Urban. I am shocked he is not on your poll. Unbelievable really!

[Kathy]

Well I thought Keith Urban's performance was the best. The vocals were wonderful, the sound was great and he CAN sing. He should have won Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year. ETOY now seems to be a popularity contest instead of a true entertainer.

[Doreen]

I can't believe that you don't have Keith Urban on this poll!! His performance was the best of the night!!!

[Jolene]

Seriously Keith Urban's performance was the Best Performance at the ACMs .. why isn't he on this poll? I vote for Keith's Without You performance and give it 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kyle Burke]

I think there should be a slot for Sugarland "Tonight"..that was flawless and the best of the night

[Nancy]

Keith Urban out-shined them all!

[floridagirl]

I have read several posts that said taylor sounded so good in her perormance of Mean on the awards show because she was lip-synching!When you re-watch the performance you notice little things like she isn't really playing the banjo, her hand on the neck of the banjo never moves to a different chord, the girl playing the violin bow never touches the violin,etc. If she is, she hit every word just right with the recording. I guess she has had so many bad live performances that she has learned her lesson!

[Lisa]

There were many great performances on what was a well produced show. Taylor Swift was a highlight for me personally. Steven and Carrie did well and I loved both of Jennifer Nettles performances. Miranda Lambert was aalso terrific on Heart of Mine.

[Mia]

There were several performances I enjoyed but I honestly thought Keith Urban's was the best. He knows how to entertain an audience with a simple yet mesmerizing performance of a beautiful song, with meaningful lyrics that we could actually hear, lovely visuals in the background, a beautiful man with a beautiful voice. Keith has not forgotten what good music and entertainment are really about and he should have won either Male Vocalist or Entertainer of the year!

[uday kohinoor]

Taylor can't sing! Ther! i said it ! ....har , har, har.....

[Sammy]

Great show! I loved Carrie & Steve, Taylor was fun, and it was good to see James again, The Zac Brown song was a pleasant reminder of the old please come to Boston song. I;m just saying - - - Great job here. thanks for the medium,

[Jen]

Keith Urban's performance was amazing. So much feeling in his singing. Should have won best vocal.

[Dancingbear]

Taylor can't sing! There! I said it! I'm 'mean'!...har, har, har...

[polly m]

Carrie and Stephen were awesome !!

[Kay]

Keith Urban had the best ACM performance.

[Dee]

Carrie and Steven were awesome!! Totally rocked the place! Very entertaining and fun!!!

[Leslie]

Brad Paisley and the group Alabama opened the show and it was great! I thought Carrie and Steven were trash!

[Mark]

What a great show. One of the best award shows ever produced. Carrie and Steven brought down the house and as long as Reba is around they'll never have a problem finding a host like they do at the Oscars.

[D. KIMREY BURLINGTON, NC]

I didn't watch the whole show but I have to say Taylor Swift because it's the first time I've ever heard her sing in tune live!!