John Katsilometes and Reba McEntire connect the dots between Nashville and Las Vegas at the ACMAs

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 | 7:06 a.m.

Part-time Las Vegan Reba McEntire underscored the strong ties between Vegas and country music the moment she took the stage Tuesday to host the "41st Academy of Country Music Awards" telecast before a crowd of 11,400 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"Welcome to the Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as 'Survivor Las Vegas,' " she said. "The big award tonight that everybody waits for is Entertainer of the Year, but I'm just gonna announce it now so we can go out and hit the tables. ... There are five nominees in that category, so you have a 1-in-5 chance - the best odds in Las Vegas."

The entire broadcast, which moved to Las Vegas in 2003, had a strong Vegas influence. McEntire headlines at the Las Vegas Hilton. This week the Hilton announced that Brooks & Dunn also would headline at the hotel beginning in December, and Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill is packing them in at Harrah's.

The telecast itself featured a performance of "Summertime" by Kenny Chesney, taped Monday night at the Mandalay Bay Beach (Keith Urban later arrived as a surprise guest). Rascal Flatts teamed with Kelly Clarkson for "What Hurts the Most" in front of the MGM Grand, taped Sunday night. And Trace Adkins turned in a Vegas-esque production number with "Honky Tonk Bonkadonk," backed by a bevy of showgirls who looked as if they were from Vegas, but were not. ("No one's from Vegas, dude," was Adkins' educated explanation.)

ACMA spokeswoman Tree Paine said the award show and Vegas are an ideal fit.

"We are governed by a board of directors who decided to make a change to come to Las Vegas, and it has worked out really well," she said. "Our fan base likes Las Vegas, which is visited by people from all across the country. ... We hope to make this a country week in Las Vegas."

Adkins added: "Las Vegas goes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This is the perfect place for this."

Someone from Las Vegas could not have put it better.

NoteMart

Return of Elvis: Let's write an Elvis item every day, shall we? The latest on the deceased King of Rock 'n' Roll is that his statue is again standing at the Las Vegas Hilton - under a big velvetlike drape, positioned conspicuously outside the south side of the main lobby.

The bronzed statue has been part of the Hilton decor since Sept. 8, 1978, but it was temporarily moved last fall as the hotel embarked on its recent lobby renovation. The Hilton Hot Sheet newsletter reports that an announcement will be made "soon" about the statue's permanent home. (Refresher course: The Hilton was originally the International, where Elvis regularly performed from July 31, 1969, to Dec. 12, 1976) ...

More "Love": A news conference featuring a brief excerpt of the Beatles/Cirque du Soleil production "Love" (which begins previews June 2) is set for this morning at the Mirage. Coinciding with the show's opening is a recent announcement by Paul McCartney that he is separated from his wife, Heather Mills McCartney. Thus, McCartney fans (hello) have been wondering how much a divorce might cost the wealthy former Beatle, and speculation on that price tag ranges from $150 million to $500 million.

But fret not, legendary bassist fans: McCartney, who once belted out, "I don't care too much for money/money can't buy me love" is reportedly worth between $1.5 billion and $2 billion ...

Ranch hand honored: MacDonald Ranch founder Richard MacDonald is the latest honoree on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. MacDonald and his wife, Frances, moved to Las Vegas in 1959 and founded MacDonald Ranch in 1970 ...

CineVegas update: Announced Tuesday was that the 2006 CineVegas film festival will honor (alliteration alert) five fearless filmmakers in a discussion titled, "Outlaw Cinema: The Impact and Influence of Dangerous Filmmaking," on June 11 at Brenden Theatres at the Palms. Fielding questions will be Abel Ferrara ("Bad Lieutenant"), James Fotopoulos ("The Hard-Boiled Egg"), Bobcat Goldthwait ("Stay"), Nina Menkes ("Queen of Diamonds") and Gregg Araki ("Mysterious Skin").

Also announced: The festival's Half Life Award will be presented to Laurence Fishburne on June 12; the CineVegas and Brenden Theatres Star will be presented to Sylvester Stallone on June 14; the Vanguard Director Award will be presented to Taylor Hackford and the Marquee Award will be presented to Helen Mirren on June 16; and the second Half Life Award will be presented to "0" on June 17. CineVegas runs June 9-17 at the Palms ...

No way: On the voicemail Wednesday was a representative of Foster Farms named Gary Quackenbush ...

Cannonball! South Coast launched its weekly poolside events, called Lucky 7's Pool Parties, last week. Music, food and drink are offered each Wednesday for the low-low price of $7. The parties begin at 7 p.m. and don't end until the entire crew lands at my place at 3 a.m. ...

Diaz of our lives: The other day I stumbled across a Billboard magazine review of the CD "Colour Everywhere" by longtime Las Vegas lounge staple Dian Diaz, which states what many lounge frequenters have known for years: Diaz is a natural vocalist. To quote: " Diaz sings, scats, soars, and gloriously shakes a rafter or two." Catch her Friday through Tuesday at the Bellagio's Fontana Lounge ...

Motoring to the drive-thru liquor store?: Didn't catch the make of this red economy car, but the plate unabashedly announced LUSH.