March 30 – April 1, 2012
ACM Experience
The 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS honored the top country artists as well as up and coming musicians this past weekend, broadcasting LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday night. The festivities, however, extended the entire weekend as the Academy of Country Music hosted the first ever ACM EXPERIENCE. “Las Vegas is already a destination for so many country music fans and The ACM Experience is a natural extension of the Academy’s focus on bringing them the best in free, family-friendly events that promote the genre and provide additional exposure for both established acts and new artists,” said, Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
Ram Test Drive
The country lifestyle event was open Friday 10-6pm, Saturday 10-9pm and Sunday 10-4pm at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. In addition to live country music artists and world class BBQ vendors, the ACM Expo was held inside the Mandalay Convention Center where unique vendors displayed customized jewelry, western wear and furniture items for sale. The ACM BBQ Throwdown roped in the competitive BBQ circuit, offering a $50,000 prize and the Ram Ride and Drive outdoor test track put country fans in the seats of the new 2012 Ram 1500 trucks.
Ram Test Drive
The Gordinier Group professional drivers donned their country garb and joined in the fair, demonstrating to event guests the best-in-class performance and capabilities of the 2012 Ram 1500 Express, Sport, Outdoorsman, Lone Star Big Horn® and Laramie®. The closed course included obstacles exhibiting the vehicles’ ground clearance, articulation, body strength, suspension and traction. Country music legends Zac Brown, Craig Morgan, Easton Corbin and James Wesley were some of the most enthusiastic participants.
Ram Test Drive
“Ram Truck fans and country music fans are one and the same as they are cut from the same cloth of authenticity with a genuine work-hard, play-hard attitude,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are excited to be a part of this first-ever fan experience event at the ACM Awards and to give our mutual fans the opportunity to ride, drive and experience the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market.”
Check out the Academy’s event coverage HERE.
The Country Vibe provides the whole line up on their blog post HERE.
KTNV Channel 13 covers the ACM Experience with live footageHERE.