A Little Bit Of Country For Choir

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.

Now, a big-time "Red Carpet" can be intimidating to professionals. But these kids were ready.

"Are you ever nervous on stage, or are you just used to performing?" one of the girls asked Keith Burns.

"We get excited," he replied.

Another asked Billy Dean: "How do you make a good singer?"

"Practice!" he exclaimed.

"Rascal Flats" sang to the girls; then, one said, "Thanks, it was a great interview!"

How cool was that?

"Awesome!" the kids exclaimed in unison.

Lee Ann Womack, who first met choir members in February, was greeted by the kids with applause.

"I know you worked so hard," she told thm. "And it takes a lot of practice, so I'm really really proud of you."

The young kids sang a quick song for her as she exclaimed, "I get to be the audience."

Then it was finally time to file in to the Mandalay Bay Events Center for the big awards show, each and every seat donated by the Academy of Country Music.

On stage, Keith Burns of Trick Pony announced: "And this year's top vocal duo is, Hall & Oats. No, just kidding. Brooks & Dunn!

The duo performed, "Play Something Country." And backstage, a girl asked Dunn, "You've been in this business a long time. Is there anything new to you anymore?"

"It's new to us," he replied. "Every show is different. It's all new."

Barbara Mandrell announced: "The Entertainer of the Year is, yey!, Kenny Chesney!"

So a boy named Adrian wasted no time in getting Chesney's ear backstage, "What advice would you give young kids or young groups in striving for better things in music? What advice would you give?"

"I am a poster boy for hard work," he said.

Gretchen Wilson, who won in the Top Female Vocalist & New Artist category, was also interviewed.

"As a new artist," a male student named Travis asked, "did you always think you'd be right here where you are today?"

"Well," she said, "I think you have to be positive, and you have to dream. You have to envision yourself there, or you wouldn't know where to step next."

A dream brought these singers to Las Vegas. Where will they step next? They are limited only by the size of their dreams.

Smith admitted to being nervous about taking 40 kids to a celebrity-packed awards show in Las Vegas, but she said the young people were all so disciplined and respectful that the celebrities were commenting about what a fantastic group they were.