The 40th Annual Country Music Awards were held on Monday, November 6. The CMAs are recognized world wide as country music’s biggest night. The awards were hosted this year by one of country music’s biggest duos, Brooks and Dunn. Many stars turned out to show their support and to perform as well.
Outstanding performances were given by the likes of Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson and many more.
Sara Evans also gave an all-star performance, her first live performance since the announcement of her divorce with her husband.
Other celebrity appearances included Desperate Housewives stars, Eva Longoria and James Denton, Hannah Montana stars, Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus and Cameron Mathison.
The winners were as follows: Song of the Year went to “Believe,” sung by Brooks and Dunn. “Believe” also won the Music Video of the year award.
Vocal Group of the Year was Rascal Flatts. Vocal Duo of the year was Brooks and Dunn.
Keith Urban won the Male Vocalist of the Year award and Carrie Underwood captured the Female Vocalist of the Year win.
Underwood also grabbed the Horizon award, which is the award given to the most exceptional new artist. Not too bad for a rookie.
The Album of the Year went to Brad Paisley’s Time Well Wasted, which includes hits like “When I get Where I’m Going,” featuring Dolly Parton. This song also won Musical Event of The Year.
And now for the final, sometimes considered the most important award- Entertainer of the Year was awarded to Kenny Chesney.
All winners gave very grateful “thank you” speeches and made sure to thank their number one source of income: the fans.
But how are the winners chosen?
The winners are chosen in a three part voting process that is conducted by over 5,000 professionals members of the country music industry.
Therefore, the winners are being honored by their peers in the industry, the staff of the CMA does not participate at all in the voting.
In the first part of the process each member of the CMA can nominate an artist for each of the categories.
Then the members narrow it down to five nominees for each category, and then the country music industry can vote to determine the winners.
The 40th Annual Country Music Awards was a three hour broadcast last Monday night.
It was a night of great excitement with many excellent performances and many grateful artists.
(Hershel Cohen)