The 411 Country Connection Special Edition 11.13.08: The 42nd Annual CMA Awards

Posted by Stormin Norman on 11.13.2008

A Recap of Country Music's Biggest Night!

Country music's biggest night, the 42nd Annual Country Music Association Awards, was a star-studded event that will not be forgotten anytime soon. The show was opened up by the Male Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year award winning co-host Brad Paisley, joined by Keith Urban who rocked the stage with their first live performance of "Start A Band."

Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley



The spotlight shinned bright on a few first time award recipients and performers, but it was the veteran hitmakers who dominated the night. None more seasoned than the man who made history last night winning his 21st and 22nd CMA awards eclipsing Brooks & Dunn (19 awards), George Strait. Strait took home awards for Single of the Year with "I Saw God Today" and Album of the Year for Troubadour.

Album of the Year: Troubadour George Strait (4th time winning the award)



Kellie Pickler oozed sex appeal performing "Best Days of Your Life" in a tight black leather dress with knee-high black leather boots, equipped with a rhinestone encrusted microphone. And just when I started think that we had left Nashville and gone straight to Hollywood, those thoughts were immediately erased when Alan Jackson took the stage and performed his juke box rockin' single "Good Time", complete with line dancer two stepping in the aisles.

Sugarland picked up their second Vocal Duo of the Year award and Jennifer Nettles picked up her first Song of the Year award for "Stay". The duo also performed their powerful love song aptly titled "Love".

Song of the Year: "Stay" Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland)



Miranda Lambert took the stage with her black acoustic guitar and blew me away with her ballad, "More Like Her," which was an unexpected yet welcomed change from her normal fem-powered, butt kicking songs. Then New Artist of the Year award winners and my new favorite group across all genres, Lady Antebellum, got the crowd out of their seats with the performance of their debut single "Love Don't Live Here Anymore."

New Artist of the Year: Lady Antebellum



Country music's princess took the stage for the most elegant performance of the night, turning the stage into 1700's European ballroom for the performance of her new single "Love Story". Complete with a wardrobe change from a long black dress to a white gown, in the middle of the performance. Detroit's southern rocker, Kid Rock, took the stage clad in a Tennessee Titans jersey and performing his summer hit "All Summer Long". He was joined on stage by southern rap sensation Lil Wayne, also sporting a Tennessee Titans jersey and holding a guitar, not sure why I didn't see pluck a string.

Rascal Flatts took home their sixth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year of Award, tying the legendary Statler Brothers who still hold the record for most total wins in this category with nine.

Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts



The King of Country music, George Strait hit the stage with a plethora of backup singers to perform "River Of Love". And Jason Aldean rocked the stage with his tribute to the country girl vixens "She's Country". And After a guitar solo tribute to the late guitarist and singer Jerry Reed by Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn took the stage and were joined by real cowgirl Reba McIntire for a special performance of "Cowgirls Don't Cry".

Darius Rucker made his CMA awards debut with a performance of his hit debut country single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" and got an extra long standing ovation as he left the stage. He was followed by four time Male Vocalist of the Year, Brad Paisley and his second performance of the night with his number one single "Waiting On A Woman".

Aussie heart throb Keith Urban took the stage for his second performance of the night with his single "Sweet Thing". And after a heartfelt introduction by the widow of fallen U.S soldier, Carrie Underwood gave the best vocal performance of the night with her chart topping single "Just A Dream". And also walked away with her third consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year award and was overwhelmed with how country music welcomed her and her unconventional route to country music stardom.

Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood



Breakout artist James Otto displayed his live vocal talent with his debut single "Just Got Started Loving You". Kenny Chesney was joined on stage by the legendary Wailers for a performance of the smash hit "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven"

Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney



Shania Twain made her first return to the CMA Awards after a 3 year hiatus, to present Kenny Chesney with the Entertainer of the Year award. Other presenters included Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Reese Witherspoon, Vince Gill, Lee An Womack, Josh Turner, Jimmy Wayne, John Rich and many more.

Here is a complete list of The 42nd Annual CMA Award Winners:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brad Paisley

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Sugarland

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Troubadour
George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
"I Saw God Today"
George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR
"Stay"
Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles Publishing

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
"Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)"
Rounder Records

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Waitin' On a Woman"
Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith
Directed by Jim Shea and Peter Tilden

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Mac McAnally - Guitar