ACM Winners Dan + Shay Say Performing at the 2019 Awards Show Is a 'Dream Come True'
Ahead of their very successful evening at the Academy of Country Music Awards, nominees Dan + Shay were just feeling thankful to be there.
Dan Smyers, 31, and Shay Mooney, 27, told PEOPLE on the red carpet in Las Vegas on Sunday that their success has been “surreal.” The pair were nominated for six awards at the 2019 ACMs and won the best duo prize and the awards in the song of the year and single record of the year category for their hit “
“; they were also nominated for album of the year, video of the year and vocal event of the year.
“We moved to Nashville to write country music, and we’re such fans,” Smyers said. “To be a part of this family and have everyone come to Vegas is the coolest thing in the world. Win or lose, it’s an honor to be nominated.”
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’s full ACM Awards coverage to get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
Not only did Dan + Shay — who will celebrate their seven-year anniversary as a group in December —accept some huge awards at the show, but they also teamed up with Kelly Clarkson for an epic performance of “
.”
“To get to get up there on stage to perform is a dream come true for us,” Smyers said on the red carpet. “Honestly, we’re still just fans. We got free tickets to the show tonight; that’s a dream come true right there. That’s pretty cool.”
A post shared by Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) on Apr 7, 2019 at 7:01pm PDT
Dan + Shay’s success at the ACM Awards follows their first Grammy win for best country duo/group performance in February.
RELATED VIDEO: ACM Awards 2019: Dan + Shay, Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton Lead Nominations
The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards are broadcasting live from Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on CBS.
