The show started off with Blake Shelton singing his own version of "Footloose," a song he specifically requested to sing for the new "Footloose" movie's soundtrack. He invited Kenny Loggins, the song's original artist, to the stage and they then performed together the rest of the night. The hosts for the CMAs were Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, who have been hosting the award show for four years together. They took turns joking on members of the audience, including Hank Williams and Kim Kardashian. They also had lots of fun with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Barbie dolls, playing with them on stage as the jokes flew.
After some good and long laughs the show went underway, many a famous artist performing in between the giving of awards. Artists who performed during the show included Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, The Band Perry, Sugarland with guest artist Matt Nathanson, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, and Sara Evans.
The first award was for Music Video of the Year and went to "You and Tequila" by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter. Musical Event of the Year went to "Don't You Wanna Stay?" featuring Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. Song of the Year went to "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry, beating out both Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band. They have been on a roll with award shows ever since the song was released last year and gaining ground in the music world.
Album of the Year went to "My Kinda Party" by Jason Aldean, another artist who has been hitting it big since the release of his album this past year. He beat out big shot artists like Taylor Swift and her "Speak Now" album, Black Shelton's "It's All About Tonight," Brad Paisley's "This is Country Music," and Zac Brown Band's "You Get What You Give." Aldean seemed genuinely touched by the award and thanked everyone from his parents to his fans, and especially the man who picked him up and brought him to the big bad world of Nashville's country music.
Next up was Single of the Year, which also went to The Band Perry for "If I Die Young." They also snatched up New Artist of the Year. Vocal Duo of the Year went to the infamous Sugarland, who released their newest album this past year, The Incredible Machine. Vocal Group of the Year went to Lady Antebellum, who just this past fall released their album "Own the Night."
As the night wound down the anticipation for the three most coveted awards began to build. Performances by artists carried the night as the show's end neared after two hours of musical entertainment and wonderful performances. Male Vocalist of the Year went to Blake Shelton, who has been flying to the top of the charts and who was recently hitched to famous country singer Miranda Lambert. He beat out artists like Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. Next up was Female Artist of the Year. Everyone held their breath as the competition was intense. It went to Miranda Lambert, ironically, so that both newlyweds walked away with top awards for the night. She beat out artists like Taylor Swift, Sara Evans, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood.
The last of the night's awards was presented by Reba McEntire for Entertainer of the Year. Up for the award were Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift snatched it up after a relatively quiet evening in terms of awards. She gracefully took the stage, thanking her mother and her fans for the fantastic support through this whirlwind year.
The night was an overall success, as it normally is, especially with such great musicians performing, the beautiful Carrie Underwood and the comedic Brad Paisley carrying the event effortlessly. Hats off to another great year of country music.
