Country music went for the glitz of Sin City on Dec. 6, 2010, during the first-ever American Country Awards, which were broadcast live on FOX-TV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Hollywood actors, extreme-sports figures and comedians, along with one of rock’s favorite rockers, Bret Michaels, rubbed shoulders on the red carpet, in the aisles and backstage at the inaugural country-music event, which recognized artists in the traditional categories, as well as within previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring.

Country Fans Chose the Winners in the 2010 American Country Awards

The ACAs were a completely fan-voted contest, with country-music enthusiasts voting online for their favorite performers. In the beginning, trio Lady Antebellum and Easton Corbin led the competition in overall nods, with seven each, while Carrie Underwood followed with six nominations. And notably, some of the genre’s favorite performers who are often overlooked by the Academy of Country Music Awards and the annual CMA competitions—such as Toby Keith and Jason Aldean—were front and center during the ACAs.