Strait, Paisley, Chesney, Sugarland Capture CMA Awards
Photo courtesy of www.georgestrait.com
By Deborah Evans Price, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles were the top winners last night (Nov. 12) at the 42nd annual Country Music Association Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville. Strait, Paisley and Nettles each claimed two trophies. Chesney claimed his fourth entertainer of the year award, tying Garth Brooks for the most wins in that category.
“Winning Entertainer of the Year here at the CMAs for the fourth time in five years is a lot more than this kid ever dreamed of,” an excited Chesney said backstage. “I didn’t know that my life was going to be like this. I was just happy when I got my first top five record. I was very, very happy just to get a tour bus and tour around the country with my buddies.”
This year’s CMA Awards were hosted by Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Nicole Kidman, a.k.a. Mrs. Keith Urban, and Hugh Jackman, who star in the forthcoming film Australia, presented the first award of the evening to George Strait. The veteran performer won Single of the Year honors for the poignant hit “I Saw God Today,” written by Rodney Clawson, Wade Kirby and Monty Criswell. It was Strait’s third win in that category.
The entertainer’s winning streak continued as he won Album of the Year for Troubadour. The award marked Strait’s eighth win in the category. Strait now holds the record for the most CMA Awards: 22.
Industry veteran Tony Brown co-produced Troubadour with Strait. “He comes prepared,” Brown said backstage of working with the Texas-born legend. “He knows the songs. We have a blast.”
Paisley and Nettles also took home two CMA Awards each. Paisley won his second consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year title and also shared the Video of the Year honor with Andy Griffith for the clip “Waitin’ on a Woman.” This was Paisley’s fourth win in the video category. “It’s great. I can’t wait to call him,” Paisley said backstage. “I’m sure he’s ecstatic. He loves country music as much as anybody.”
Underwood captured her third consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year award. “It means so much because we’ve worked so hard this year,” Underwood said backstage. Emotional and on the verge of tears, she regained her composure and said, “I’m sorry. We’ve worked so hard this year going out touring. For anybody, it’s not just about the artist when they win an award; it’s about every single person who makes it work. We’re just the face of the machine. There are so many people behind it. When somebody wins an award like this, it’s a victory for every person involved.”
