ACM Vocal Duo of the Year nominee Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, also known as Love and Theft, barely make their first appearance at the 2012 AMC Awards after Eric decides to ‘push the envelope’ with airport security leaving Nashville…and gets arrested. Watch the exclusive interview!

“I was arrested at the airport coming here,” admits Eric.

“He had a knife this big in his bag,” says Stephen, holding up his hands about a foot apart.

Eric digs in his pocket, pulls out a piece of paper, unfolds it, and shows the camera. It’s the citation. “The cops weren’t having it,” he said.

It seems there’s never a dull moment with these two, whether they are talking about their plans for their first time on the ACM Red Carpet (before the award show this Sunday night) or the inspiration for the new hit single “Angel Eyes.”

And just where did the inspiration come from for that song?

“He wrote about me,” says Stephen, grinning wide.

“He’s not your typical preacher’s daughter,” says Eric. That is, unless the daughter of any preachers you know sports a camoflauge ballcap, shades, and a T-shirt of Jim Marshall’s famous middle-finger photo of Johnny Cash.

Watch for Love and Theft to kick it up on Fremont Street this weekend as part of the ACM’s free Fremont Street Experience!

And then look for Love and Theft‘s new self-titled album online or in stores June 5. Pre-order the album now!

Watch Love and Theft “Angel Eyes”:

More ACM info:

Read more stories about the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Cast your vote for the 2012 ACM Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year!

See the full list of 2012 ACM Award nominees, and read more nominee profiles.

Watch the Academy of Country Music Awards live on Sunday, April 1 at 8pm ET (delayed PT) on CBS.