Features
Chesney Tops CMAs
Chesney took home his fourth entertainer of the year trophy Wednesday, tying Garth Brooks for the most wins in the category, considered the night’s top honor. He’s now won the award the last three years in a row.
“Winning entertainer of year for the fourth time in five years is more than this kid ever dreamed of,” Chesney said backstage.
While Chesney knows his reign will eventually end, he said, “I’m not going to lay down. I love the heart, commitment and sacrifice it takes to do this.”
And to his competitors, he issued a challenge: “Come and get me.”
Chesney wasn’t the night’s only big winner.
Strait thanked the songwriters for “letting me sing such a beautiful song” after the poignant “I Saw God Today” won single of the year. He later won album of the year for “Troubadour.”
“Everybody says they’ve got the greatest fans. Well, I’ve really got the greatest fans,” Strait said in accepting the album award.
Also winning two awards was Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Sugarland won the award for duo of the year, and earlier, Nettles won song of the year for
“We have so much to prove – songs to write, people to win” over, Nettles said backstage.
The show, which was co-hosted by
Underwood won her third consecutive female vocalist award and told her mom in her acceptance speech, “It’s real hard to sing when you’re in the second row crying.” It came after her performance of her No. 1 hit “Just a Dream,” about a woman who lost her loved one in war. The song was introduced by Leslie Ponder who lost her husband in Afghanistan.
The former “American Idol” champ also thanked country fans. “I got here in an unconventional way, and you guys didn’t have to accept me at all.”
Paisley, who won video of the year earlier, hugged
Lady Antebellum, a trio that is one of country music’s most promising acts, won best new artist. As they picked up their award, their awe-struck guitarist, Dave Haywood, said: “It’s not supposed to happen like this.”
While the awards may have been the main point of the evening, it was the performances that dominated the show.
Chesney performed his reggae-flavored hit “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” with the reggae band the Wailers backing him up. They also performed the Bob Marley classic “Three Little Birds.”
“You look really good,” Chesney remarked to Twain as he accepted his entertainer award. She wore a sexy, low-cut dress as she presented Chesney with his award. Twain is one of country’s best-selling artists, but has spent the last several years out of the spotlight. She hadn’t been on the show in four years.
The Eagles, whose return to the top of the charts has a lot to do with their recent country leanings, performed “Busy Being Fabulous.”
Paisley and Urban opened the show with dueling guitars as they performed their duet, “Start a Band.” The song is the first single from Paisley’s new mostly instrumental album, “Play.” The two incorporated elements of classic rock anthems such as “Layla” and “Smoke on the Water” as they played.
Paisley also performed a musical tribute to singer and guitarist Jerry Reed, who died this year.