ChordStrike

CMA Awards: The Highlights

The Awards are complete, and the winners are in!

• Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney
• Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
• Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley
• Horizon Award: Taylor Swift
• Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts
• Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland
• Single of the Year: "Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood
• Album of the Year: "It Just Comes Natural," George Strait
• Song of the Year: "Give it Away," Bill Anderson / Buddy Cannon / Jamey Johnson
• Musical Event of the Year: Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
• Music Video of the Year: "Online," Brad Paisley / Directed by Jason Alexander
• Musician of the Year: Jerry Douglas - Dobro

Now for some personal favorite moments of the night:

• Dwight Yoakam  paying tribute to Porter Wagoner, complete with Wagoner-inspired rhinestone jacket
• Jamey Johnson thanking his ex-wife after winning Song of the Year for "Give it Away," a song about losing everything in divorce
• An emotional and touching performance by  Kellie Pickler
• Kid Rock livening up the ceremony by coming out thanking the Academy (as if he won) with fellow presenter Gretchen Wilson
• Brad Paisley's marching band entrance
• Taylor Swift proclaiming it to be, "the highlight of my senior year," after winning the Horizon Award, causing the audience to feel absolutely ancient (See Taylor Swift's video for "Our Song" now)

If you just can't get enough of the CMA Awards, visit our CMA Awards Store to see nominees, performers, past winners, and even an exclusive video from Keith Urban.

-Amanda

The Legends

Is it me, or are this year's awards relatively young performers and nominees? Since the passing of legends like  Johnny Cash, and most recently  Porter Wagoner, it seems a new generation has taken hold of the country airwaves.

Still, I'm drawn to some of the more established artists, like this year's Album of the Year winner, George Strait, for his album,  It Just Comes Natural. Holding the record for most #1 songs on the Billboard Country Charts, the audience responds to his performances with pure admiration.

More Legends of note were this year's Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees (who I think should have at least been asked to stand up on stage):
*  Ralph Emery
*  Vince Gill
*  Mel Tillis

Who do you think is the next legend in the making?

-Amanda