A Little Bit Of Country For Choir

'Viva Las Vegas' For Kids At Academy Of Country Music Awards Show

(CBS)  There's only one thing better than granting a wish and that's granting a choirful of them.

Following up on a wish The Early Show granted a few months ago, Correspondent Tracy Smithfollowed the MET Singers Youth Chorus, a choir from Nashville, to Las Vegas, where they attended the awards ceremony for the Academy of Country Music.

The choir's wish, granted in February, included a $10,000 grant from First Tennessee Bank and a meeting with country star Lee Ann Womack, and was capped by a visit to the awards show.

It was Tree Paine who gave the news to the choir: "On May 17th, you and your chaperones are coming to the Academy of Country Music Awards, live at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nev." The kids just screamed in delight.

The day's adventure began at the "Excalibur" hotel after what was the the first plane ride ever for many choir members, courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

"Excuse me, can we gamble?" a boy asked as he stared at the casinos with a grin in his face. Of course not, Smith assured him.

At the "Excalibur," which donated the rooms for all 40 youngsters and their chaperones, it was literally all fun and games. They practiced their aim with water pistols, darts, and balloons.

One young man won and gave Smith his stuffed Zebra; then he showed his true stripes.

"It's from my bottom of my heart," Jason told me.

Who says there are no winners in Vegas? But there's always a price. Before long, he added, "You have to give a hug to me to get that."

After offering a brief serenade in the Excalibur lobby, the choir, dressed to the nines, sped off to the day's main event, The Academy of Country Music awards. One girl stood out with a pair of big and fuzzy red dice around her neck,the newest fashion accessory.

One look at the Las Vegas strip, and these kids knew they weren't in Nashville anymore. During a ride on the tram, they burst into song: "Viva Las Vegas!"

After a quick, cramped tram ride to Mandalay Bay, there was another surprise: some students were chosen randomly to accompany Smith on the arrivals line, which is the Red Carpet, will others were allowed backstage.

For half a dozen kids, getting these press credentials was like winning the lottery.