As part of Ram Trucks’ effort to Put the Blog in Country, we invited two popular country music bloggers to the 48th Academy of Country Music Awards and asked them to record their experiences. This first account is courtesy of Lauren Jo Black from Country Music Is Love.
By Lauren Jo Black
Each year, country music’s hottest artists and biggest fans pack up and head to Las Vegas for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, and thanks to my friends at Ram Trucks, I had the opportunity to experience the ACM Awards like never before. In addition to covering the red carpet and attending the 48th Annual ACM Awards show, I also had the chance to attend and cover events leading up to “Country Music’s Party of the Year.”In recent years, the days leading up to the annual awards show have become something bigger – it’s “the week Vegas goes country.” In addition to the ACM Awards, fans have the opportunity to attend several events and get up close and personal with country music newcomers and superstars alike.One of the week’s events was the three-day ACM Experience, a place where fans had the chance to experience and take in all things country. In addition to sampling great food, music and shopping, fans could catch a ride in a brand-new Ram 1500 at the Ram Ride and Drive. The event included a closed course that had a 13-foot mobile hill and steel suspension ramps. This offered fans the chance to get a feel for all of the capabilities that Ram trucks have to offer.Of course, I had to experience it myself, so I hopped in a Ram 1500 to take a ride around the track. It was my first time in a Ram 1500, and I have to admit, I was thoroughly impressed. Upon taking my seat up front, I noticed that the driver had country music playing on the radio, which was a plus in my book. He drove me around the track, explaining each of the truck’s features as we went through the course. My palms got a bit sweaty as we drove up the 13-foot mobile hill, but the Ram 1500 handled it like a champ!After my ride, country hit maker Easton Corbin hopped in the Ram 1500 for a spin around the track. After going through the course with a driver, Corbin got behind the wheel himself for another turn. Corbin grew up on a farm in Florida, so he knows what qualities go into a great truck. As Corbin drove around the track, hundreds of fans gathered at the Ram Ride and Drive for a chance to meet him. After his turn behind the wheel of the Ram 1500, Corbin spent time taking photos and signing autographs for fans. Before he left, the “All Over the Road” singer also signed the Ram Trucks wall in support of the Ram brand’s Year of the Farmer campaign.
If you watched the ACM Awards, you saw that Corbin ditched the limo and arrived to the Ram Trucks Red Carpet in a Ram 1500 – how cool is that? He’s not the only one, either. ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year Brantley Gilbert and two-time ACM Vocal Duo of the Year Thompson Square also arrived in a Ram 1500. I had a chance to see them all on the red carpet, and they looked fabulous.Being on the carpet is such an exhilarating experience. There are hundreds of reporters and photographers vying for the chance to simply get a few moments with each artist. Photographers are constantly yelling to try to get the attention of the artists, and there are flashes and bright lights everywhere! I applaud the artists for doing red carpets all the time, because while I’m sure it’s a lot of fun to get all dressed up and walk the carpet, it’s a crazy experience, to say the least.My experience at the ACM Awards was simply unforgettable. Thanks to Ram Trucks for an amazing weekend.– Lauren Jo Black
When Ram Trucks aren’t at work they’re at play. One of the best ways to play in a Ram Truck is to take it on the road. At 28 mpg highway, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is the perfect truck for those weekend road trips or coast to coast treks. To prove our point, we’ve done a little digging to take you on some trips using just one tank of fuel in your EcoDiesel. Don’t believe us? Do the math yourself and then get on the road for your next Ram Adventure.
