Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton Win Big at 44th Annual CMA Awards, Brad Paisley Wins Biggest

Brad Paisley CMA Entertainer of Year.jpg

The 44th Annual CMA Awards had big-time winners, big-time performers and big-time surprises when it aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 11 on ABC.
 
Birthday girl Miranda Lambert, who made history this year with nine nominations, received the most nods, snagging Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Revolution and Video and Song of the Year for “The House That Built Me.”
 
“Revolution has truly caused a revolution in my life thanks to the Country Music industry,” Lambert said after winning her first Album of the Year trophy from the Country Music Association. "It's what I love, it's what I do, it's what I live for, so thank you for loving it, too." 
 
Lambert was also named Female Vocalist of the Year following her performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” with Sheryl Crow, which paid tribute to Loretta Lynn’s 50 years in Country Music.
 
“I’m going to keep going for all the other women in this industry,” said a tearful Lambert after she received the award from Lynn herself.
 
Blake Shelton, Lambert’s fiancée and new leading man in Country Music, took Male Vocalist of the Year for the first time in his nearly 10-year career. Shelton also won Musical Event of the Year for his duet "Hillbillby Bone" with buddy Trace Adkins.
 
"This is about 34 years worth of steps for me, so it would take forever to thank everyone" said Shelton. "It's a really big deal for me. This is unbelievable."
 
Lambert and Shelton join Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as the only two Country Music couples to secure both the Male and Female Vocalist of the Year categories in the same year.
 
Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum took home the second most awards of the night, Single of the Year for “Need You Now” and Vocal Group of the Year.
 
"Thank you so much to my band mates Charles and Dave," said Scott. "This year has been unbelievable and I can't imagine two better people to enjoy the ride with."
 
The night’s biggest award, Entertainer of the Year, went to co-host Brad Paisley. Paisley, who has been nominated in the category every year since 2005, thanked fans of Country Music, his wife and beloved grandfather.
 
My hero, Little Jimmy Dickens, has a saying: If you see a turtle on a fencepost, it had help getting there,” Paisley said. “Right now I feel like a turtle on a fencepost.”
 
Earlier in the night, Paisley debuted his newest song, “This Is Country Music,” a tribute to the genre, while George Strait, Taylor Swift, Lambert and Lady A also performed new songs.
 
Other show highlights included Oscar award winner Gwyneth Paltrow’s Country Music singing debut. Paltrow will star opposite Tim McGraw in the film “Country Strong,” set to hit theaters nationwide in January. Superstar Kelly Clarkson also made an appearance performing “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Jason Aldean. And Reba debuted her cover of Beyonce’s hit “If I Were A Boy” from her new album All The Women I Am.
 
A complete list of the night’s winners follows:
 
Entertainer of the Year
Brad Paisley

 
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
 
Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton
 
Album of the Year
Revolution
-- Miranda Lambert

Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
 
Musical Event of the Year
“Hillbilly Bone” --
Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins
 
New Artist of the Year
Zac Brown Band
 
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
 
Vocal Duo of the Year
Sugarland
 
Song of the Year
“The House That Built Me”
-- Miranda Lambert
Written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin
 
Single of the Year
“Need You Now”
-- Lady Antebellum

Produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum
 
Music Video of the Year
“The House That Built Me” -- Miranda Lambert

Directed by Trey Fanjoy
 
Musician of the Year
Mac McAnally