"Country Music's Biggest Night" is also Taylor Swift's biggest night. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter swept the 43rd annual Country Music Association Awards, which aired Wednesday night on ABC. She captured all four categories in which she was nominated -- including Entertainer of the Year. Swift was overcome with shock and emotion as she accepted the night's top prize.Nominee Kenny Chesney -- the 2008 CMA Entertainer of the Year who has held the title for four of the last five years -- was the first to congratulate Swift, stepping up and hugging her when her name was called. With the win Swift, who already set the record as the youngest artist to be nominated for the award, is now the youngest performer to earn the Entertainer of the Year title.
In addition to bringing Chesney's reign as Entertainer of the Year to an end, Swift also brought Carrie Underwood's three-year run as CMA Female Vocalist of the Year to a close. Swift's other honors include Album of the Year for her CD "Fearless" and Video of the Year for her clip for "Love Story." Swift also featured prominently throughout the ceremony. In addition to performing twice, her infamous MTV Video Music Awards run-in with Kanye West prompted a number of gags and jokes throughout the event.
While the night clearly belonged to Swift, several other stars also have a lot to celebrate. Lady Antebellum took both awards for which they were nominated. The trio captured Vocal Group of the Year, and -- like Swift -- snapped a winning streak, ending Rascal Flatts' six-year command of in the category. Lady A also earned Single of the Year honors with "I Run To You." The event cemented Darius Rucker's place in country music as the veteran Hootie and the Blowfish frontman and country newcomer was named Best New Artist. Brad Paisley -- the event's top nominee and co-host with Underwood -- took two awards. Along with his third consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year award, he received Video of the Year with Keith Urban for their collaborative hit "Start a Band." Other winners included Sugarland, who captured Vocal Duo of the Year for a third straight year, as well as Jamey Johnson, James Otto, Lee Thomas Miller, and Mac McAnally.
The three-hour, music-driven ceremony brought numerous stars to the stage. Paisley, Underwood, Lady A, Urban, and Rucker were just some of the performers. Highlights included Chesney's duet with Dave Matthews, Vince Gill's collaboration with Daughtry, and Johnson's song with Kid Rock. Martina McBride, George Strait, and Charlie McCoy teamed up for a tribute to new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Barbara Mandrell. In addition, Tim McGraw made his return to the event after a four-year absence, and Brooks & Dunn gave their final CMA Awards performance as a duo. The 43rd annual CMA Awards were presented in a ceremony in Nashville, and aired on ABC Wednesday night.
The 2009 CMA Awards winners list follows
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Taylor Swift
FEMALE VOCALIST:
Taylor Swift
MALE VOCALIST:
Brad Paisley
NEW ARTIST:
Darius Rucker
VOCAL GROUP:
Lady Antebellum
VOCAL DUO:
Sugarland
SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Lady Antebellum -- "I Run To You"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Taylor Swift -- "Fearless"
SONG OF THE YEAR (goes to songwriters):
Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto -- "In Color"
MUSICAL EVENT:
Brad Paisley with Keith Urban -- "Start a Band"
MUSIC VIDEO:
Taylor Swift -- "Love Story"
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
Mac McAnally -- Guitar
In addition to bringing Chesney's reign as Entertainer of the Year to an end, Swift also brought Carrie Underwood's three-year run as CMA Female Vocalist of the Year to a close. Swift's other honors include Album of the Year for her CD "Fearless" and Video of the Year for her clip for "Love Story." Swift also featured prominently throughout the ceremony. In addition to performing twice, her infamous MTV Video Music Awards run-in with Kanye West prompted a number of gags and jokes throughout the event.
While the night clearly belonged to Swift, several other stars also have a lot to celebrate. Lady Antebellum took both awards for which they were nominated. The trio captured Vocal Group of the Year, and -- like Swift -- snapped a winning streak, ending Rascal Flatts' six-year command of in the category. Lady A also earned Single of the Year honors with "I Run To You." The event cemented Darius Rucker's place in country music as the veteran Hootie and the Blowfish frontman and country newcomer was named Best New Artist. Brad Paisley -- the event's top nominee and co-host with Underwood -- took two awards. Along with his third consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year award, he received Video of the Year with Keith Urban for their collaborative hit "Start a Band." Other winners included Sugarland, who captured Vocal Duo of the Year for a third straight year, as well as Jamey Johnson, James Otto, Lee Thomas Miller, and Mac McAnally.
The three-hour, music-driven ceremony brought numerous stars to the stage. Paisley, Underwood, Lady A, Urban, and Rucker were just some of the performers. Highlights included Chesney's duet with Dave Matthews, Vince Gill's collaboration with Daughtry, and Johnson's song with Kid Rock. Martina McBride, George Strait, and Charlie McCoy teamed up for a tribute to new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Barbara Mandrell. In addition, Tim McGraw made his return to the event after a four-year absence, and Brooks & Dunn gave their final CMA Awards performance as a duo. The 43rd annual CMA Awards were presented in a ceremony in Nashville, and aired on ABC Wednesday night.
The 2009 CMA Awards winners list follows
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Taylor Swift
FEMALE VOCALIST:
Taylor Swift
MALE VOCALIST:
Brad Paisley
NEW ARTIST:
Darius Rucker
VOCAL GROUP:
Lady Antebellum
VOCAL DUO:
Sugarland
SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Lady Antebellum -- "I Run To You"
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Taylor Swift -- "Fearless"
SONG OF THE YEAR (goes to songwriters):
Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto -- "In Color"
MUSICAL EVENT:
Brad Paisley with Keith Urban -- "Start a Band"
MUSIC VIDEO:
Taylor Swift -- "Love Story"
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
Mac McAnally -- Guitar
