N.J. student struggling with cancer gets ‘shout-out’ from Taylor Swift
by associated press April 1, 2012 5:22PM
Winners at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards
Entertainer of the year: Taylor Swift
Top male vocalist: Blake Shelton
Top female vocalist: Miranda Lambert
Top vocal group: Lady Antebellum
Top vocal duo: Thompson Square
Top new artist: Scotty McCreery
Album of the year: “Four the Record,” Miranda Lambert
Single record of the year: “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson
Song of the year: “Crazy Girl,” Eli Young Band
Video of the year: “Red Solo Cup,” Toby Keith
Vocal event of the year: “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson
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Updated: April 2, 2012 4:31PM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — He wasn’t at the show — but he still got to be part of the show.
Kevin McGuire, 18, is a New Jersey teen who scored a date with Taylor Swift to the Academy of Country Music Awards. But McGuire — who is battling cancer — was hospitalized this weekend and couldn’t attend.
But he got a “shout-out” from Swift at Sunday’s show.
“We work hard and we try to give back,” Swift said after receiving the Entertainer of the Year award. “Recently, I have been aware of a different struggle that is going on. My date tonight was supposed to be a high school football player named Kevin McGuire and he is not here. But I promised him I’d give him a shout-out. So Kevin and all your family and friends, thank you for wanting to take me to the ACMs.”
In a tweet earlier, Swift said: “I’ll make it up to you, Kevin!”
Swift asked the Somerdale, N.J., resident to Sunday’s ACMs after his sister started a campaign to get her to attend his prom. The reigning ACM entertainer of the year couldn’t make the prom but offered to go on the award-show date instead. AP and Mitch Dudek
