Greeneville's own The Band Perry were among the big winners at the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards held last night in Las Vegas, Nev.

The sibling trio, which consists of Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry, were nominated in four ACM award categories - and they took home the fan-voted "Top New Artist of the Year" award.

The country music awards show was broadcast live from Las Vegas, Nev., on CBS television. (Please see related article, Page A-12.)

The Band Perry was presented the "Top New Artist" honor just after performing live their chart-topping hit single, "If I Die Young," a song that was penned by the group's lead singer, Kimberly Perry.

The touching ballad, which was also nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award, was responsible for the band's receiving two other ACM nominations: "Single Record of the Year," a category to honor the popularity of a song, and "Song of the Year," a category to recognize songwriters.

Miranda Lambert's hit single, "The House That Built Me," won the ACM award in both of those categories.

The Band Perry was also nominated for "Top Vocal Group of the Year," an award that was won by Lady Antebellum.

In accepting their "Top New Artist" honor from last year's winner Luke Bryan, the Perrys took time to first thank their parents.

Their father, Dr. Steve Perry, is a pediatrician with Greene Mountain Pediatrics, in Greeneville. The family has lived in Greeneville since moving here from Mobile, Ala., in 2002.

Standing with her brothers on either side of her, Kimberly Perry exclaimed "Wow!" as she stepped up to the microphone for their acceptance speech.

Clutching the award close, she told the audience, "We are a family band here in The Band Perry, so first of all, my brothers and I would like to thank our fantastic parents, Marie and Steve Perry.

"Thank you also to the beautiful fans of country music. Thank you so much for lending us your ears and your hard-earned dollars. We are so humbled by this and our songs belong to you," she added.

The band went on to thank their "extended family" at their record label, Republic Nashville, including the CEO and President, Scott Borchetta, as well as their "friends" at country radio.

In an Associated Press article on the ACM awards show, Kimberly Perry was quoted as saying, "We believe that country music is the people's music. And it is our greatest desire to be their band."

This was second ACM award for the group. On March 2, the Perrys accepted the "Top New Vocal Duo or Group" during the ACM 2011 Music City Jam.

The two awards came after about two years of fast-rising professional acclaim for the trio of young singers.

They signed with Republic Nashville in 2009, and their debut single, "Hip To My Heart," made it all the way to No. 17 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart."

"If I Die Young" was released in June 2010, and went to No. 1, propelling the Perrys to country music stardom.

The song resulted in the group's first certified platinum single.

In October 2010, the Perrys gave a free concert on Academy Street in downtown Greeneville to welcome and thank local fans.

The concert, which drew a crowd of some 4,000 fans of all ages on a hot day, was in connection with a special CD release party for the band's self-titled debut album.

As they took the stage at that concert, Kimberly Perry called out enthusiastically, "Hello, Greeneville!"

"We're so excited to see your faces. We're home for 24 whole hours. We've already had Peggy Ann's donuts and been to Monterrey's for lunch -- and now we're going to play some country music for you!"

More than 1,500 copies of the CD were sold at the concert, and afterwards the Perrys stayed to sign copies as well as other items at fan request.

They are currently planning to hit the road for a major tour with country superstar Tim McGraw.

As part of the tour, SiriusXM is celebrating 10 years of broadcasting country music with a McGraw concert in New York City.

The satellite radio network announced Monday that McGraw will headline a special concert at the Beacon Theatre on April 27. Luke Bryan and The Band Perry are also slated to perform at the show.

The audience will consist of SiriusXM contest winners, but those who cannot snag an invitation can catch the performance on three SiriusXM channels, including a new one -- "Tim McGraw Radio." It's scheduled to launch a few days before the concert.

McGraw is kicking off his "Emotional Traffic" tour April 8 in Corpus Christi, Texas.