One of the off-camera awards was presented to Jason Aldean as he walked the red carpet before the show on Sunday night. The singer was surprised with a trophy for Vocal Event of the Year, which honored ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay,’ his duet with Kelly Clarkson.

Aldean seemed taken aback by the impromptu presentation. “This record was huge for us,” Aldean told Nan Kelley on GAC-TV. “I can’t even tell you what this song has done for me and my career.”

“This is a great way to start the night off already,” he added. Aldean is up for five other awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, as well as well as Single Record of the Year for ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay.’

Also nominated for the Vocal Event of the Year Award was ‘Country Boy’ by Aaron Lewis and friends, ‘Old Alabama’ by Brad Paisley and Alabama, ‘Remind Me’ by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and ‘You and Tequila’ by Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter.

Yesterday, Thompson Square won the Vocal Duo of the Year award. It’s their first in the category.

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