Plot Synopsis

Based on country music's longest-running radio countdown show, "American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks," this annual awards program honors country music's biggest stars based on album sales and radio airplay. The AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS replaced the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, which FOX had aired during each December from 2010-2013. The inaugural AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS, hosted by Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard from Nashville's Music City Center, aired live on FOX on Monday, December 15, 2014 from 8-10pm ET (live)/PT (tape). The two-hour show honors Kenny Chesney with The Groundbreaker Award, which recognizes an artist who has consistently pushed the boundaries and is a trailblazer in the realm of concerts, musical accomplishment, creative innovation and connecting with fans across the United States. Multimedia entertainer Reba receives the first-ever NASH Icon Award, presented by Kix Brooks, which celebrates an iconic artist whose extraordinary talent has influenced generations of musicians and who has made a profound and lasting impact on country music. Kelly Clarkson and Miranda Lambert will join together to honor Reba with a special tribute performance. The program features performances from: Lady Antebellum, Hank Williams Jr., Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Presenters include country artists Kix Brooks, Sara Evans, Hunter Hayes, Maddie & Tae, Scotty McCreery, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell and Chris Young. NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, actors Emily Kinney and Melissa Fumero, and Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev. Hosted by Darius Rucker, AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN'S TOP 10 STORIES OF 2015 counted down country music's Top 10 defining and most talked-about moments of the year, and includes in-depth interviews with the genre's biggest headline makers. Plus, the one-hour special features musical performances by Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town. Country artists Kix Brooks, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, Charles Kelley and Maddie and Tae were scheduled to appear. AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN'S TOP 10 STORIES OF 2015 premiered on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT on FOX.
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The 2nd annual AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS premiered on FOX on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 8pm ET (live)/PT (tape). The two-hour live event from The Forum in Los Angeles honors the year's best country music with performances, special moments, and awards. The broadcast features 14 performances: Kelsea Ballerini, 2016 NASH Icon Award presented by Ford F-Series recipients Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Cam, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Chris Janson, Martina McBride, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, and Toby Keith's tribute to Merle Haggard, with Haggard's longtime band the Strangers. Presenters include: Paula Abdul, Chase Bryant, Terry Crews, Cat Deeley, Sara Evans, Trent Harmon, Jana Kramer, Chris Lane, Maddie & Tae, Matthew McConaughey, Scotty McCreery, Reba McEntire, Jennifer Nettles, Michael Ray, Canaan Smith, Luke Wilson, and Dwight Yoakam. No host has been announced.