Exclusive! Backstage at the ACM Awards

See your favorite country stars (Kellie! Carrie!) smile for the PEOPLE camera at the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards

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TAYLOR SWIFT

The 18-year-old phenom brought down the house with her wet and wild performance of "Should've Said No." But Swift, photographed with her mother, Andrea, got serious when accepting the prize for top new female vocalist. "Mom, thank you so much," she said onstage. "I love you. This is for you!"