by Chris Cannon
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 45th Annual County Music Awards have wrapped up another year in Nashville and several of country's brightest stars took home a crystal trophy Wednesday night.
Country music's biggest night Wednesday started with unexpected appearances by Hank Williams Jr., Barbie dolls of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and plenty of crossover appeal.
But it was Kimberly Perry's poignant song "If I Die Young" that was everyone's focus.
"It's just always felt like a song that was meant to be here," Perry said as she was flanked by brothers and bandmates Reid and Neil Perry. "I was so excited to have a pen and paper in hand when it was ready to come to Earth."
Jason Aldean won his first major CMA award, taking album of the year for "My Kinda Party," his platinum-selling album. The CD also included "Don't You Wanna Stay," his duet with Kelly Clarkson, which won musical event of the year.
Blake Shelton and Kenny Loggins opened the show with a high-energy version of Loggins' hit "Footloose," quickly establishing a theme for what is a very eclectic night.
Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter continued that trend when they won video of the year for their steamy "You and Tequila."
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 Miranda 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.
"Gregg Allman, I was the one who reached out and touched you on the red carpet," said Jennifer Nettles from the stage after Sugarland won vocal duo of the year for the fifth straight time. "He didn't know who I was, but I really like you."
Wednesday was a big night for Lady Antebellum in what has been a tremendous year for the group.
The group took home the CMA for Vocal Group of the Year award. It is the third year in a row Hillary, Charles and Dave have beat out some stiff competition in that category.
For the 5th year in a row Sugarland was named the Vocal Duo of the Year, an award they say they never take for granted.
Miranda Lambert and husband Blake Shelton both took home their second in a row Female and Male Vocalist of the Year awards.
Taylor Swift was named the Country Music Association's entertainer of the year. This marked the second time Swift won the award.
The international crossover sensation, who has sold more than 20 million albums by the age of 21, also won the CMA's top honor in 2009. Swift becomes the second woman to win entertainer of the year twice at the CMAs, joining Barbara Mandrell.
(The Associated Press Contributed to this report)
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