2012 American Country Awards

Carrie Underwood shimmered and shined in a sparkly peach Georges Chakra Couture mini-dress paired with fringe-adorned heels when she hit the red carpet at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Monday night for the 2012 American Country Awards. “Hello Las Vegas! Country comes to town tonight for the #ACAs!” the 29-year-old tweeted prior to the ceremony. “It's going to be a fun show...” Considering she’s up for four awards, it’ll be fun indeed!

Just days after her tearful interview with E! about the drama surrounding husband Eddie Cibrian’s ex-wife, Brandi Glanville, LeAnn Rimes was back to her happy self – yet uncharacteristically covered up in a long-sleeve black dress that fell below her knees. Still, the singer, whose new album Spitfire will be released in April, added a splash of sexiness with snakeskin pumps.

Without stylish wife Nicole Kidman on his arm, Keith Urban looked a bit understated in a black shirt and pants, paired with a beige blazer. The “You Gonna Fly” singer is scheduled to perform onstage along with seven youngsters who are a part of the Grammy Foundation's Camp music program.

Songstress Jewel looked Hollywood glam in her glittery pink one-shoulder frock … which made up for hubby Ty Murray’s boring jeans, white button-down, and black cowboy hat … otherwise known as the male country star’s go-to uniform!

Luke Bryan and wife Caroline Boyer made quite the handsome couple ... him in his eggplant-colored velvet jacket and her in a sleeveless sequined green gown. And the “I Don’t Want This Night to End” crooner had no shame in soliciting fans for a little help in winning some of the many awards he was up for, tweeting on Friday: “Hey y'all! Heads up that voting for ACA Artist of the Year ends at midnight. You're the best fans ever!”

Before hitting the red carpet, Miranda Lambert teased her Twitter fans that she would be “going glam” for the big night, and she didn’t disappoint. The “Over You” singer and wife of Blake Shelton, showed off her lean legs in a black-and-silver sequined Reem Acra mini, which she paired with Giuseppe Zanotti Design shoes, Jacob & Co. jewelry, and a Judith Leiber clutch. Lambert is up for four ACAs, including Female Artist of the Year and Touring Artist of the Year.

Co-host Kristin Chenoweth was a beauty in a blue floor-length gown. While the 44-year-old has confirmed she is dating former "Bachelor" contestant Jake Pavelka, 34, she flew solo on the red carpet.

What kind of country music awards ceremony would it be if someone didn’t wear a cowboy hat and jeans! Jason Aldean did just that, even adding a textured olive green blazer to dress up his laid-back look. The “Take a Little Ride” singer was up for a whopping seven ACAs, and early on in the evening took home the award for Touring Artist of the Year.

Pretty soon, former "American Idol" contestants will need their own section at these things! Lauren Alaina, who was a runner-up in Season 10, and Taylor Hicks, who won the show back in Season 5, cleaned up nicely for the fete. Alaina was pretty in a flowy, bejeweled halter-top dress in yellow, while Hicks sported a vest and some western kicks.

Multiple nominees Lady Antebellum (L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood) were sophisticated in black for the soiree. Scott, who announced that she's pregnant with her first child last week, was practically glowing … and the group's six nominations probably didn't hurt! She tweeted just before the show, "Y'all are the greatest fans in the world!!!! We love you and thank you for voting!"

Best album nominee Dierks Bentley definitely did better with his ensemble, simply by tucking in his shirt and opting not to wear a backwards hat. Perhaps that was because the "Home" singer had a little help selecting his outfit from his 376,448 Twitter followers!

There's always someone at an awards show who looks like they made a last-minute decision to attend – like maybe he just wandered in off the street where they were running errands. At the ACAs, that person was singer Kip Moore, who was actually up for three of the fan-voted awards.

Carmen Electra sported a glam, intricately beaded dress featuring a serious split and a dramatic train. She finished her "Dynasty"-esque look with strappy stilettos, diamond earrings, and an elegant updo. Think her look was hot ... or not?

The men of Rascal Flatts – (L to R) Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney, and Jay DeMarcus – must have color coordinated beforehand because the trio all opted for black and gray (except for singer LeVox who added a pop of sparkle to his lapel). The “Banjo” singers are set to perform at the Mandalay Bay for the American Country Awards.

"American Idol" alum Casey James rocked his usual long locks and beard, although he did put on a jacket for the occasion. Still, more than two years after he arrived on the scene, it's probably time for the 30-year-old to meet a barber!

Scotty McCreery, from — you guessed it, "American Idol" — popped a pose with duo Florida Georgia Line, Tyler Hubbard (left) and Bryan Kelley (right). Their strategy for dressing at the fete appeared to be showing just enough chest and some big necklaces.

Trace Adkins, Chenoweth's co-host for the evening, arrived with his wife Rhonda. The duo donned mostly black – a velvet blazer for him, and an LBD for her — along with a cowboy hat and big hair!

Up-and-comer Dustin Lynch already has plenty of buzz surrounding him, and is up for two New Artist awards: Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year, both for his hit “Cowboys and Angels.” “Got my seat.... Y'all got yours? #TheACA's” he tweeted to his more than 38,000 followers before the show. Don’t tease us, Dustin. We’d rather be in Vegas along with you!

The Eli Young Band -- made up of Texans including (L-R) bassist Jon Jones, drummer Chris Thompson, singer Mike Eli, and guitarist James Young made their way down the red carpet in various shades of denim. The fellows were showered with nominations this year, including for Single of the Year: Group, Artist of the Year: Group, and Song of the Year for their tune “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”

Golf pro-turned country rapper Colton Ford was hanging loose in a casual ensemble of cowboy hat, jeans, and a jacket as he entered the show. The 42-year-old was up for the “Breakthrough Artist of the Year award.

We often criticize stars on the red carpet who look like prom princesses, but in this case teen sensation Payton Rae actually is the right age to be donning a prom-style frock. The 17-year-old also took her time getting ready, tweeting at 11 a.m., "And the process of getting ready for the ACA awards begin haha!"