We at Fox 411 Country are counting down to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards and spotlight several artists taking that Las Vegas Stage April 1st.

Before he heads to Las Vegas for both the ACM Awards and the April 2nd ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends in Concert, the music icon stopped by Fox 411 Country.

Richie told us about his new country duets album “Tuskegee” featuring 13 of his hits performed as duets with country stars including Jennifer Nettles, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Kenny Chesney and more. The Grammy-winning legend talked about the tunes, hitting the road, and his excitement about being part of all of these celebrations of country music. Richie is also on the list of performers for the 47th Annual ACM Awards, airing Sunday April 1st on CBS.

He also provides us this week with - our featured song of the week, click for Lionel Richie and Shania Twain’s version of “Endless Love.”

In other ACM news, “Entertainer of the Year” nominee Taylor Swift, gets a big honor the night before on March 31st at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards. First Lady Michelle Obama will make her first-ever appearance at the show to present Swift with “The Big Help Award” which is for those “whose significant impact on their community has inspired kids to do the same”. Swift is receiving the honor in recognition of her charitable work including raising funds and awareness for tornado and flood survivors in the United States.

Swift’s fellow “Entertainer of the Year” nominee Jason Aldean goes into this year’s show with 6 nominations overall and he can boast breaking two more attendance records over last weekend, making a total of 13 in 2012 for his “My Kinda Party Tour” which has sold out 18 shows so far.

“New Artist of the Year” nominee Scotty McCreery had his American Idol homecoming Thursday night, performing his latest single “Water Tower Town” from his debut album “Clear As Day”. While on the Idol stage, Jimmy Iovine presented McCreery with a platinum record signifying over a million units sold for that debut album, which Iovine pointed out is a “herculean act” in the record business today.

Meanwhile The ACM Awards won’t just be a televised celebration of country music this year, it’ll also be one couple’s wedding video! It’s been announced Martina McBride along with Train frontman Pat Monahan will sing “Marry Me” from McBride’s album “Eleven” for one couple who will get married live onstage!