KCYN-FM Country Report For: THURSDAY, November 13th, 2008

CMA Recap w-audio

>>Chesney Takes Top Honors Again At CMA Awards

(Nashville, TN) -- Kenny Chesney continues his reign as country music's Entertainer of the Year. The singer captured the Country Music Association's highest honor for a fourth time at the 42nd annual CMA Awards, having previously earned the title last year, in 2006, and in 2004. In accepting his award, Chesney admitted to being "humbled" at receiving the praise. With the win, Chesney joins Alabama as the only performer to take the category in three consecutive years, and joins Garth Brooks as the only star to earn the award four times total. Chesney's award also came with another surprise -- Shania Twain. Twain, who has been absent from the country music scene for the past several years, was on hand to present the award to Chesney. Her participation in the event also marked her first public appearance since her high-profile separation from husband Robert "Mutt" Lange back in May.

Several stars joined Chesney in logging repeat wins. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood -- who co-hosted the ceremony together -- were once again named Male and Female Vocalist of the Year. Sugarland took their second consecutive Vocal Duo of the Year, and Rascal Flatts captured Vocal Group of the Year honors.

It's Rascal Flatts' sixth-straight Vocal Group title, putting the trio in the company of the Statler Brothers as the only ensembles to take that category six years in a row. Lady Antebellum is the CMA New Artist of the Year. Paisley and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles are among the event's multiple award winners, along with George Strait.

Others taking awards include Alison Krauss and Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, who took Musical Event of the Year for their critically acclaimed track "Gone, Gone, Gone;" and guitarist Mac McAnally, who was named Musician of the Year.

The three-hour ceremony also included numerous performances, including a production number from teen sensation Taylor Swift, a solitary song from Miranda Lambert and the CMA debut of Darius Rucker. The stage also hosted several collaborations. Paisley and Keith Urban teamed up to open the show, Brooks & Dunn performed with Reba McEntire, Chesney offered up a reggae blend with The Wailers, and Kid Rock invited the night's other surprise guest -- rapper Lil Wayne -- to join him for a moment in the CMA spotlight. Vince Gill honored this year's inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame, while Paisley paid tribute to the late Jerry Reed. The country music community also recognized the troops, welcoming a woman whose husband made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation to introduce Carrie Underwood's performance of "Just a Dream," a song about a woman who becomes widowed when her husband is killed in a war. The 42nd annual CMA Awards were presented in a ceremony in Nashville, and aired on ABC Wednesday night.

A winners list from the 42nd annual CMA Awards follows. 2008 CMA Awards ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Kenny Chesney FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Carrie Underwood MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Brad Paisley NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR Lady Antebellum VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR Rascal Flatts VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR Sugarland SINGLE OF THE YEAR - Award goes to Artist and Producer George Strait's "I Saw God Today," produced by Tony Brown and George Strait ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Award goes to Artist and Producer George Strait's "Troubadour," produced by Tony Brown and George Strait SONG OF THE YEAR - Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher Sugarland's "Stay," written by Jennifer Nettles for Jennifer Nettles Publishing MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR - Awarded to each Artist Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Gone, Gone, Gone" MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR - Award goes to Artist and Director Brad Paisley's "Waitin' On A Woman," directed by Jim Shea MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR Mac McAnally - Guitar