The 45th Annual CMA Awards and the Winners ARE…

This year's CMA Awards were hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, last year's Entertainer of the Year, and aired on the ABC network on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. From the promo's I've been seeing the past two weeks, I was convinced these two would have everyone in stitches with their jokes and antics and I was right.

The opening number featuring Hank Williams, Jr. was a classic. I also liked the Faith Hill and Tim McGraw Barbie dolls that Paisley turned into a joke after checking to see if the dolls were anatomically correct. He commented by saying, "There's nothing there! I feel sorry for Faith." The crowd burst into laughter as I'm sure everyone across America did watching from home.

The entertainment for the awards show contained some of the best artists in the business. It seems like each year the CMA comes up with an even better line up of performers than the previous year. It's really amazing. This year Faith Hill performed after years of not being a part of the show. She introduced a new song and seemed to have a pretty good time performing it.

Another notable performances were given by Taylor Swift with a new song about a love interest. We just don't quite know who the lucky guy is yet. However, this will be in the news soon--mark my words!

My favorite part of the CMA's as far as performances went was when Lionel Richie took to the stage to perform with various artists. I loved the duet with Darius Rucker. Richie will be releasing a new CD featuring country music in 2012. The CD will contain duets with other country music stars.

I also enjoyed the tribute to Glenn Campbell, a pioneer in the country music field. Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease recently and it was very nice to see him honored at the CMA's. Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Vince Gill joined together to sing several of Campbell's hit songs in his honor.

And now here are the winners for the 45th Annual CMA Awards:
(All nominees listed with the winner in bold)

Category 1: Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban

Category 2: Female Vocalist of the Year

Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Category 3: Male Vocalist of the Year

Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

Category 4: New Artist of the Year

The Band Perry
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young

Category 5: Vocal Group of the Year

The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Category 6: Vocal Duo of the Year

The Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square

Category 7: Single of the Year
(Award goes to the Artist and Producers)

"A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans, Produced by Tony Brown
RCA Nashville

"Colder Weather" by Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

"Don't You Wanna Stay" by Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson; Produced by Michael Knox
Broken Bow Records

"Honey Bee" by Blake Shelton; Produced by Scott Hendricks
Warner Bros. Nashville

"If I Die Young" by The Band Perry; Produced by Paul Worley
Republic Nashville

Category 8: Album of the Year
(Award goes to the Artist and Producers)

"All About Tonight" by Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville

"My Kinda Party" by Jason Aldean, Produced by Michael Knox
Broken Bow Records

"Speak Now" by Taylor Swift, Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift
Big Machine Records

"This is Country Music" by Brad Paisley, Produced by Frank Rogers
Arista Nashville

"You Get What You Give" by the Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

Category 9: Song of the Year
(Award goes to the Songwriter)

"Colder Weather," Zac Brown Band

"Dirt Road Anthem," Jason Aldean

"If I Die Young," The Band Perry

"Mean," Taylor Swift

"You and Tequila,"Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Category 10: Musical Event of the Year

"As She's Walking Away," Zac Brown Brown and Alan Jackson

"Coal Miner's Daughter," Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert

"Don't You Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson

"Old Alabama," Brad Paisley and Alabama

"You and Tequila" Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Category 11: Music Video of the Year

"Honey Bee," Blake Shelton

"If I Die Young," The Band Perry

"Mean," Taylor Swift

"Old Alabama," Brad Paisley and Alabama

"You and Tequila," Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Category 12: Musician of the Year

Sam Bush on Mandolin

Jerry Douglas on Dobro

Paul Franklin on Steel Guitar

Dann Huff on Guitar

Mac McAnally on Guitar

Source:

Personal Viewing of Live performance on ABC: The 45th Annual CMA Awards Show