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Gallery: CMA Awards

The Herald-Dispatch

Martina McBride arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

November 10, 2011 @ 04:02 PM

The Herald-Dispatch

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Though still largely the domain of men, triumphs by Taylor Swift and The Band Perry at the Country Music Association Awards show that the young women of country music are finding their voices and shoving the boys out of the way.

Swift won the CMA's entertainer of the year for the second time Wednesday night, Kimberly Perry of sibling act The Band Perry took home song of the year and two other awards with her brothers, Neil and Reid. Add in wins by Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum and Sugarland, and the songwriting strength of today's country girls is undeniable.

"When Taylor won entertainer I secretly sang (Beyonce's) 'Who runs the world? Girls,' to Blake," Lambert said after she and husband Blake Shelton repeated as male and female vocalist of the year. "I'm just really happy that females are starting to be very prominent and it is the female singer-songwriter.

"It's so cool that Kimberly wrote song of the year by herself. And that's a dream of mine. I'm just so happy the girls were really celebrated tonight."

Celebrated like rarely before. Swift became the second woman to win entertainer of the year twice, joining Barbara Mandrell, and she did it by the age of 21.

"To win it twice is like the coolest thing ever happening to me twice," Swift said backstage. "I'm freaking out right now."

She's inspired legions of young girls to take up guitar and write their own songs, and she has spread the gospel of country music to the Far East, filling stadiums like few others can. She crossed the 20 million mark in album sales and has almost no rival in the genre when it comes to bringing converts over the wall.

She's made all that headway on the strength of her songs. She loves nothing better than the process of turning inspiration into something that makes a connection with people all over the planet.

"All of the sudden this idea that was just yours is now everybody else's and they sing it in their cars and sing it about their breakups or falling in love and they incorporate it into their lives," Swift said.

Perry experienced a similar kind of revelation when her song "If I Die Young" conquered country radio then began to crossover on to pop stations. Rarely do country songs resonate across genres, and that the melancholy "If I Die Young" ran hard in the face of the successful formula so many follow made it even more impressive.

The song earned Perry song of the year, which goes to the writer, and The Band Perry, which includes her brothers, single of the year and new artist of the year.

Perry said the song came to her one afternoon and she got most of it down right away. She showed it to her mom and said she thought she'd bring it to Nashville to get help from another songwriter to finish it, but her mother encouraged her to keep ownership. It turned out to be the right choice.

"We sort of feel like we are part of the country evangelism scene and we love to hear country songs on pop radio," she said.

Crossing over was another strong theme of the night.

Jason Aldean, who earned his first major CMA award when his platinum-selling "My Kinda Party" won album of the year, also won musical event of the year for his duet "Don't You Wanna Stay" with pop star Kelly Clarkson. And Kenny Chesney won music video of the year for his duet "You and Tequila" with rocker Grace Potter.

Lady Antebellum, whose crossover appeal is rivaled only by Swift's, won its third straight vocal group of the year award and Sugarland took vocal duo of the year for the fifth straight time.

That theme also carried over to the stage where stars from different genres came together for some of the CMA's strongest performances. The show also featured plenty of sexy dancing, fire and belching smoke special effects and, at one point, acrobats spinning down from the ceiling on lengths of unspooling fabric.

Lionel Richie had every star buzzing on the red carpet before performing duets from his new country album with Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town. He posed for a picture with Lambert and gave advice to Lady Antebellum on the red carpet.

Gregg Allman joined fellow Peach State natives Zac Brown Band on "Georgia on my Mind," Natasha Bedingfield, in a dress that featured a fluffy red skirt, joined Rascal Flatts on stage to perform their duet "Easy," and that was just the start of genre shuffling.

Shelton and Kenny Loggins opened the show with a high-energy version of Loggins' hit "Footloose." Later, Glen Campbell, one of country's biggest crossover pioneers who is now battling Alzheimer's disease, was given a musical tribute when Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley sang three of his songs.

Richie hadn't performed on the CMAs since 1986 when he appeared with Alabama. He noted the show has changed dramatically over the decades, as has country music.

"It's Cirque de Soleil ... it's full-on production," Richie said. "This is off-the-chain. This is the Oscars of the music business, the CMAs."

Lambert and Shelton made a little history when they took male and female vocalist of the year. They're the second married couple to win the awards in the same year.

"Congrats to my hubby, too," Lambert shouted from the stage to Shelton on the eve of her 28th birthday. "It's going to be a good night tonight, baby!" The camera cut to Shelton, who rubbed his hands together and smiled devilishly.

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The Herald-Dispatch

Martina McBride arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Allison Demarcus arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

The Herald-Dispatch

Lionel Richie arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Grace Potter and Kenny Chesney arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jason Aldean arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kimberly Williams-Paisley arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

The Herald-Dispatch

Taylor Swift arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Darius Rucker and wife Beth arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Singer James Otto arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Rodney Atkins arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kenny Loggins and guest arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Carrie Underwood arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Natasha Bedingfield arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kimberly Williams arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Ginnifer Goodwin arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Carrie Underwood arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kellie Pickler arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Glen Campbell and wife, Kim, arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jake Owen and guest arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Luke Bryan, right, and wife Caroline arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Shawna Thompson from the band Thompson Sqaure arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Deborah Allen arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jana Kramer arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Nicole Kidman arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Emily VanCamp arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Lauren Alaina arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Eddie Montgomery, left, and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kellan Lutz arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Clay Walker arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jana Kramer arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Scotty McCreery arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Lionel Richie, center, and from left, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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James Wesley arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Reba McEntire arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Joshua Scott Jones of Steel Magnolia arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Gregg Allman arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Glenn Beck arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Tim McGraw and Faith Hil arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Susie Brown of The JaneDear Girls arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Laura Bell Bundy arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jake Owen and guest arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Hillary Scott from the band Lady Antebellum arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Matt Nathanson arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Laura Bell Bundy arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Sam Bush arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jason Aldean arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Erin Andrews arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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LeAnn Rimes arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Chris Young arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Reid, Kimberly and Neil Perry of The Band Perry arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Brantley Gilbert arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Grace Potter and Kenny Chesney arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Brian Setzer arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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From left, Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook of Alabama arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Grace Potter arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Sandra Lee arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Katie Cook arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kenny Loggins arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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John Oates arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Hannah Blaylock from the band Eden's Edge arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Evan Farmer arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Lynn Anderson arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Tribble Reese arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Susie Brown from the band the Janedear Girls arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Hunter Hayes arrives at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Glen Campbell, right, and his wife Kim pose backstage at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Taylor Swift poses backstage with the award for entertainer of the year at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton pose backstage with the awards for female vocalist of the year and male vocalist of the year at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Blake Shelton poses backstage with the award for male vocalist of the year at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Glen Campbell, right, and his wife Kim pose backstage at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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From left, Neil, Kimberly, and Reid Perry of The Band Perry pose backstage with the awards for single of the year, song of the year, and new artist of the year at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jennifer Nettles, left, and Kristian Bush from the band Sugarland pose backstage with the award for vocal duo of the year at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Jason Aldean poses backstage with the awards for musical event of the year and album of the year at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Kenny Chesney, Grace Potter, and director Shaun Silva pose backstage with the award for music video of the year for "You and Tequila" at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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Martina McBride performs "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Jason Aldean performs "Tattoos On This Town" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Hillary Scott from the band Lady Antebellum hugs LeAnn Rimes after winning the vocal group of the year award during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Grace Potter, left, and Kenny Chesney perform "You and Tequilla" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Natasha Bedingfield performs "Easy" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Hostess Carrie Underwood speaks onstage during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Miranda Lambert accepts the award for female vocalist of the year during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Blake Shelton, right, accepts the award for male vocalist of the year as Reese Witherspoon, left, looks on during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Glen Campbell, left, and wife Kim are seen during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry performs "All Your Life" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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David Freese, left, and Erin Andrews present the album of the year award during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Jennifer Nettles, left, and Kristian Bush from the band Sugarland accept the award for vocal duo of the year during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Hosts Brad Paisley, left, and Carrie Underwood speak during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Lionel Richie, center, performs "Deep River Woman" with the band Little Big Town, from left, Phillip Sweet, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook, during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Chris Young performs "Voices" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Neil, Kimberly, and Reid Perry of The Band Perry accept the award for new artist of the year during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Reese Witherspoon presents the award for male vocalist of the year during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Taylor Swift accepts the award for entertainer of the year during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Jennifer Nettles, left, and Kristian Bush, right, from the band Sugarland perform "Run" with Matt Nathanson during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Jason Aldean performs "Tattoos On This Town" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Chris Young performs "Voices" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Charles Kelley, left, Hillary Scott, center, and Dave Haywood of the band Lady Antebellum perform during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Sara Evans performs "A Little Bit Stronger" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Keith Urban performs "You Gonna Fly" during the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)