NASHVILLE, Tenn (Country
Music Association) --
Music City threw its arms wide open to welcome back "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)" when "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" broadcast live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Downtown Nashville on the ABC Television Network.
After a successful move to New York City in 2005, the CMA Awards came back home for its 40th Anniversary. It was a homecoming fit for a king -- actually, two kings. The evening's hosts Brooks & Dunn took home the crown for most wins, including Music Video and Single of the Year for "Believe," and their unprecedented fourteenth Vocal Duo of the Year Award. These three Awards bring Brooks & Dunn's overall CMA Awards tally to 18, tying Vince Gill's record for most wins.
"It's really good to win," Kix Brooks said backstage. "We are prepared every year to clap for someone else. We are surprised that voters aren't tired of seeing us win every year."
Ronnie Dunn also picked up his first Song of the Year Award with 2004 Song of the Year winner Craig Wiseman for "Believe," a song about hope and redemption with a Gospel feel.
"It's an amazing song and I am blown away by it," Wiseman said backstage after praising his co-writer. "Every time I hear it it's like I hear it for the first time."
The duo, who took their third turn as hosts of the CMA Awards, opened the show with "Building Bridges" with Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow, which was nominated for Musical Event of the Year.
Brad Paisley picked up two Awards, including Musical Event of the Year for "When I Get Where I'm Going" featuring Dolly Parton and Album of the Year for Time Well Wasted. Paisley performed "She's Everything," from Time Well Wasted.
"The album really encompasses a lot of people," Paisley said backstage. "The producers, the fans, co-writers and even family get involved in the album process. And I like that. It's an art form it should feel like a journey."
"American Idol" Carrie Underwood took home her first Female Vocalist of the Year Award and the coveted Horizon Award, which is given to the artist who demonstrates the most significant creative growth and development in Country Music. It was the first time that an artist has won the Female Vocalist and Horizon Awards in the same year since Alison Krauss in 1995.
"Just two years ago I was watching these Awards on TV watching other people win these Awards and I never thought I would be up here," a visibly moved Underwood said accepting her Female Vocalist Award. "Thank you anyone who has had anything to do with this past year."
Earlier in the broadcast, Underwood performed the revenge-themed "Before He Cheats" from her triple-Platinum album Some Hearts.
Relentless touring artist Kenny Chesney took home his second Entertainer of the Year Award. "The relationship that I have with all of the people back there in the back is unbelievable," Chesney said from the stage.
Backstage, Chesney could not say enough about his fans. "To see those people come hear the songs I sing -- it's bigger than anything I have ever dreamed." Chesney performed current single "You Save Me" from his double- Platinum album The Road and the Radio.
Keith Urban won his third consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year Award, a feat that had not been repeated since George Strait won in 1996 through 1998. Though he was not present to accept his Award, his friend Ronnie Dunn read a letter from Urban. "I'm pained not being here tonight," Urban wrote. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I look forward to coming home and seeing you soon."
Rascal Flatts grabbed their fourth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year Award. "We've had an amazing year," lead singer Gary LeVox said. "Thank you to God for giving us a stage to perform on every night." The trio performed "My Wish" from their CMA Award-nominated album Me and My Gang.
The Horizon Award nominees made their creative mark on the broadcast. Red hot group Sugarland performed "Settlin'" from their brand new album Enjoy the Ride. Little Big Town weaved their harmonies around the haunting "Bones" from their album The Road To Here. Fireball Miranda Lambert blazed through "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" from her forthcoming sophomore album, set to be released in February. Deep-voiced crooner Josh Turner performed his hit "Would You Go With Me" from his second consecutive Platinum album Your Man.
Alan Jackson performed the title single from his Alison Krauss-produced album, Like Red on a Rose, backed by Musician of the Year nominee Jerry Douglas on dobro. Four-time Female Vocalist of the Year winner Martina McBride wowed the crowd with the no-regrets song "Anyway." Fresh off of the top-grossing Country tour of the year with her husband Tim McGraw, Faith Hill performed her new single "Stealing Kisses," from Fireflies. New duo The Wreckers performed their No. 1 hit "Leave the Pieces" from the album Stand Still, Look Pretty. Dierks Bentley, the 2005 Horizon Award winner, performed "Every Mile a Memory" from his third album Long Trip Alone. "Redneck Woman" Gretchen Wilson teamed up with Big & Rich's John Rich for "Come to Bed" off of her forthcoming third album to be released Spring 2007. Newcomer Jason Aldean performed his hit "Hicktown" from his self-titled debut album.
Twelve-time CMA Awards host Gill performed "Give It Away," a song from his new four-disc album These Days. Crow along with Gill's wife Amy Grant and daughter Jenny Gill provided background vocals on the song.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson introduced the newest inductees into the hallowed Hall, Harold Bradley, Sonny James and George Strait. Strait, who was the second artist inducted in the "Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present" category, performed "Give It Away" from his newest album It Just Comes Natural. In his career, Strait has sold more than 62 million albums, won 16 CMA Awards, and produced 53 No. 1 hits, more than any music artist in history.
"Who'd of thunk it," the humble Strait said as he accepted his induction plaque. "To my fans, don't think I don't realize why I am up here."
Bradley, a noted session musician and producer, was inducted in the "Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980" category.
"Thank you God for 60 years of working with the greatest singers, greatest songwriters, greatest musicians and greatest producers in the business," Bradley said.
James, who co-hosted the very first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" in 1967, was inducted in the "Career Achieved National Prominence Between World War II and 1975" category.
Guitarist Randy Scruggs won his third Musician of the Year Award which he won in 1999 and 2004.
The CMA Awards' new network home, ABC-TV, brought out its presenter star power for Country Music's Biggest Night(TM). "Desperate Housewives" stars Eva Longoria and James Denton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley of "According to Jim," Cameron Mathison of "All My Children," and the Disney Channel stars of "Hannah Montana" Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus all presented Awards during the broadcast.
Presenters included Gary Allan, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Billy Currington, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Ann Womack and Trisha Yearwood.
The winners of "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" are:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Rascal Flatts
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
HORIZON AWARD
Carrie Underwood
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Time Well Wasted
Brad Paisley
Produced by Chris DuBois/Frank Rogers
Arista Nashville
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Tony Brown/Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn
Arista Nashville
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Believe"
Craig Wiseman/Ronnie Dunn
Sony/ATV Tree/Showbilly Music/Big Loud Shirt
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)
"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Arista Nashville
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn
Directed by Robert Deaton/George J. Flanigen IV
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Randy Scruggs - Guitar
In 1958, CMA was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. Its membership includes nearly 6,000 companies and music industry professionals around the globe.
"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer; Robert Deaton is the Consulting Producer; Paul Miller is the Director; and David Wild will script the ceremonies. Premiere Radio Network is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2006 CMA Awards. Chevy, an American Revolution, is the official ride of the 2006 CMA Awards. Additional promotional partners include aolmusic.com, Camping World(R), Carl Black Chevrolet, Coca-Cola(R), Country Music Television, Inc.(R), Crisco(R), Gibson Guitar(R), Greased Lightning Cleaning Products(R), Hallmark Cards(R), Miller Brewing Company(R), Prilosec OTC(R), Purity Dairies(R), T.G.I. Friday's(R), The Biography Channel, and Yankee Candle(R). Charles Fazzino is the official artist of the 2006 CMA Awards.
