George Strait Makes History at CMA Awards
At the CMA Awards last night, George Strait set a record for having the most wins overall in the history of the Country Music Association.
Strait received awards for Single of the Year for “I Saw God Today” and Album of the Year for “Troubadour.” He now has a total of 22 awards.
Strait, during his acceptance speech said, everybody says their fans are the greatest. Well I really do have the greatest fans.
Entertainer of the Year, the night’s highest honor, went to Kenny Chesney. It was the forth time he has won the award, tying Garth Brooks for the category’s most wins.
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, who were the co-hosts for the gala held at Sommet Center in Nashville, took breaks from their duties in order to accept Female Vocalist and Male Vocalist honors. It was the second win for Paisley in the category. He also won Music Video of the Year for the fourth time for his music video “Waitin’ On a Woman” that features Andy Griffith, the legendary actor.
The award for Underwood was her third Female Vocalist win in a row. The “American Idol” champion, during her acceptance speech, thanked music industry insiders for voting for her.
Underwood said, I got here in a way that was unconventional. You guys really didn’t need to accept me.
Sugarland, who was nominated for Entertainer of the Year for the first time, won Vocal Due of the Year for the second year in a row. Jennifer Nettles, Sugarland’s lead singe,r won Song of the Year for the first time for writing “Stay,” a Sugarland single.
Rascal Flatts, with their Vocal Group of the Year award, tied for the most consecutive wins of six with The Statler Brothers. Robert Plant, the rocker, along with Alison Krauss, bluegrass sweetheart, for their “Gone Gone Gone” performance won Musical Event of the Year.
Lady Antebellum won the award for New Artist of the Year. They also performed “Love Don’t Live Here,” their breakout hit.
Other performers bringing the house down included the Eagles, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Sugar Land and Kenny Chesney with The Wailers, the reggae group. Darius Rucker, frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish, performed the country hit “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” off his recent solo album.
A little rock was even infused into this country music event. Kid Rock, anyway. The bad boy from Detroit performed “All Summer Long,” his latest hit with rapper Lil Wayne making a surprise visit.
Another highlight from the event included a Shania Twain appearance. According to a recent press release Twain hadn’t participated in a CMA Award ceremony since 2005. The singer won Entertainer of the Year and was given a standing ovation.