Academy of Country MusicBrett Young, Midland and Lauren Alaina all got the surprise of their lives early Monday, when Reba McEntire called to tell them they’d won the new artist trophies at next month’s Academy of Country Music Awards.
New Group of the Year winner Midland was in Sioux City, Iowa when they learned the news. The trio was in complete disbelief, both at the fact the legend was calling them and that they’d clinched their first major award.
“Reba, we have no words,” Mark Wystrach confessed. “Usually we’re a bunch of smart-mouths, quick-witted gentlemen, but we have nothing to say. This is unbelievable.”
New Male Vocalist Brett Young was on the bus in Florida when he took the call. “Stop it! Are you serious?” he responded.
It was New Female Vocalist Lauren Alaina who had the best reaction. She couldn’t talk at all, but simply covered her face to cry, occasionally letting out an excited laugh.
“You’re gonna make me cry. Now cut that out,” Reba told the American Idol runner-up. “You okay?”
“No,” Lauren quickly replied.
When she finally regained some composure, the “Doin’ Fine” singer mumbled “I have to call my mom and my dad.”
“Oh okay, I’ll get off the phone so you can,” Reba said.
“But I want to talk to you. You’re Reba, I’m sorry,” Lauren apologized.
You can watch the unforgettable moments yourself via the Academy of Country Music’s Facebook page.
Reba called the winners from Las Vegas, where she just wrapped the final night of the current run of her residency with Brooks & Dunn. She’ll return there April 15 to host the 53rd ACM Awards, which will air live on CBS.
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