Taylor Swift takes the top honor at the CMA Awards
- 12 years ago
It was a night of wins, tributes and a wedding at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
American Idol alumnus Carrie Underwood got things started with her song "Good Girl".
Before another Idol veteran, Kelly Clarkson, snagged two trophies for her duet with Jason Aldean.
Country music star Taylor Swift walked away with the top prize, being named entertainer of the year.
SOUNDBITE: Taylor Swift, singer, saying:
"To my band and crew and everyone else who makes music, thank you for doing this. This is exciting."
Newlyweds Blake Sheldon and Miranda Lambert were also big winners, with the Mrs. capturing the album of the year honor.
SOUNDBITE: Miranda Lambert, singer, saying:
"Seriously, Chuck and Frank thank you so much. I own every record in this category and I have been listening and listening and thinking I am not going to get it. Every record is amazing and I am so thrilled and I will never take this trophy for granted."
In perhaps the most poignant moment of the night, the star-filled audience gave a standing ovation for banjo picker Earl Scruggs, who recently died at the age of 88.
And now to that wedding.
Toward the end of the show, a pair of country music fans got hitched, in what was billed as the first live wedding on a televised awards show - while Martina McBride and Train's Pat Monahan sang "Marry Me".
Alicia Powell, Reuters.
American Idol alumnus Carrie Underwood got things started with her song "Good Girl".
Before another Idol veteran, Kelly Clarkson, snagged two trophies for her duet with Jason Aldean.
Country music star Taylor Swift walked away with the top prize, being named entertainer of the year.
SOUNDBITE: Taylor Swift, singer, saying:
"To my band and crew and everyone else who makes music, thank you for doing this. This is exciting."
Newlyweds Blake Sheldon and Miranda Lambert were also big winners, with the Mrs. capturing the album of the year honor.
SOUNDBITE: Miranda Lambert, singer, saying:
"Seriously, Chuck and Frank thank you so much. I own every record in this category and I have been listening and listening and thinking I am not going to get it. Every record is amazing and I am so thrilled and I will never take this trophy for granted."
In perhaps the most poignant moment of the night, the star-filled audience gave a standing ovation for banjo picker Earl Scruggs, who recently died at the age of 88.
And now to that wedding.
Toward the end of the show, a pair of country music fans got hitched, in what was billed as the first live wedding on a televised awards show - while Martina McBride and Train's Pat Monahan sang "Marry Me".
Alicia Powell, Reuters.