CMT Music Awards A Crowd Pleaser

4/15/2008 Lisa Ann Schleipfer Country Music stars Kellie Pickler, Trace Adkins and Taylor Swift were the big winners at last night’s CMT Music Awards, held at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville. Pickler’s "I Wonder" took home the USA Weekend Breakthrough, Performance and Tearjearker Videos of the Year. The awards were accepted by Picker via satellite in Scottsdale, Ariz.  "Oh, my gosh," Pickler said. "This is the first time I've ever won anything in my life. I'm so excited. I don't know what to say. Thank you, American Idol. You are the rocket that launched my career." Adkins received the Male Video of the Year award for his song "I Got My Game On." Adkins said, "I've never felt the support from the fans like I'm feeling it this year. This is voted on by the fans, so I really appreciate it." Taylor Swift picked up the most coveted award of the night, Video of the Year.  She also won Female Video of the Year; both belt buckles were for "Our Song." "I want to thank everybody on MySpace — all the people who have made fan sites for me," Swift said last night. "I don't have a fan club, so you guys have done so much for me. I can't even believe this right now." Top winners were rounded out with Rascal Flatts won Group Video of the Year for "Take Me There" and Sugarland won Duo Video of the Year for the emotional "Stay." Hosted by Billy and Miley Ray Cyrus, the evening kicked off with an opening sketch featuring Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain; and a variety of stars (Ryan Seacrest, Gretchen Wilson, Donald Trump, Trace Adkins, Larry the Cable Guy) all trying desperately to call in favors and get tickets to the festivities. Keith Urban and Brooks and Dunn kicked off the performances with "Raise the Barn," followed by a spirited LeAnn Rimes with "Nothin Better to Do." Rascal Flatts sang their latest single, "Bob That Head," which featured user-generated clips from fans who “sang along” during the chorus. Country Music artists pulled out a string of solid performances.  Husband and wife Faith Hill and Tim McGraw crooned their duet, "I Need You." Billy and Miley Ray Cyrus followed suit with a duet of "Ready, Set, Don’t Go." Sugarland, Little Big Town and Jake Owen covered "Life in a Northern Town." Toby Keith performed his new single "She’s a Hottie," while Carrie Underwood chose her hit "All-American Girl." The boys put their boots on for Alan Jackson’s latest, "Good Time," and Brad Paisley was joined by Hank Williams Jr. for a performance of Paisley’s "I'm Still a Guy." The show also featured a side stage that included new artists Bucky Covington, James Otto, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Ashton Shepherd and Chuck Wicks.