Female artists own ACM Awards
Carrie Underwood brought the Academy of Country Music Awards to church. Maren Morris won the most awards of the night, including song of the year. Miranda Lambert performed three times and held on to her record as the most decorated winner in ACM history. And Mickey Guyton, the first Black woman to host the awards show, gave a powerful, top-notch vocal performance.
Though female country stars didn’t compete for the night’s top prize — Luke Bryan was named entertainer of the year — they owned Sunday’s ACM Awards.
Underwood was joined by gospel legend CeCe Winans, and the dynamic duo blended their voices like angels onstage. Underwood performed songs from her recent gospel hymns album “My Savior.”
Lambert performed first with Elle King, then alongside album of the year winner Chris Stapleton, and finally with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall.
The performances that aired Sunday were previously taped at various locations in Nashville, Tennessee. Winners, wearing masks, accepted awards in real time in front of a small audience made up of medical and health care workers.
Bryan was set to perform Sunday but backed out of the show because he recently tested positive for the coronavirus.
Marley to play Earth Day concert:
Ziggy Marley, the son of reggae icon Bob Marley, will be one of the highlights of Nat Geo’s Earth Day Eve 2021 streaming concert Wednesday. Marley will be joined at the event — which will stream on National Geographic’s YouTube channel and website — by Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma, Angelique Kidjo, Aurora, Jose Gonzalez, Maggie Rogers, Rostam and Valerie June.
Celebrity memorabilia set for auction:
Bruce Springsteen, Hugh Jackman, Elton John, Bette Midler, Christine Baranski, Steve Martin and Tina Fey are all offering up personal items for a charity online auction. Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers has unveiled the slate of stage and screen items for its live auction event April 28, which includes a Wolverine jacket from Jackman’s closet, glasses from John, and boots, jeans and a T-shirt from Springsteen. A portion of proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund.
‘Downton’ cast returns for sequel:
The original principal cast of “Downton Abbey” is returning for a second film that will arrive in theaters Dec. 22, Focus Features announced Monday. “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes has written the sequel’s screenplay, and Simon Curtis is directing. Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Maggie Smith will all be back, along with some new faces, including Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West.
‘Mad Max’ prequel set for 2023:
A prequel to the “Mad Max” movie franchise starring Anya TaylorJoy and Chris Hemsworth will be filmed in Australia, officials said Monday. “Furiosa” is slated for release in mid-2023.
April 20 birthdays:
Actor George Takei is 84. Singer Johnny Tillotson is 83. Actor Ryan O’Neal is 80. Actor Gregory Itzin is 73. Actor Jessica Lange is 72. Actor Clint Howard is 62. Actor Andy Serkis is 57. Actor Shemar Moore is 51. Actor Carmen Electra is 49. Actor Joey Lawrence is 45. Actor Tim Jo is 37. Actor Carlos Valdes is 32.