Before they can present, perform or pick up the buckles... everyone hits the orange carpet!












The Awards!!!

Every country music fan knows that CMT is one of the primary places to go when they want to see what is happening with their favorite stars. The video music channel is a one-stop shop for seeing and hearing the latest country music videos and getting caught up on country music news. It’s no surprise that CMT recognizes the loyalty of those fans and turns the voting over to them for the annual CMT Music Awards.

The music genres biggest and brightest performers showed up at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center on April 16th to perform a song, present and/or collect an award. Most importantly, to thank the fans for letting them make country music for a living.


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
With Jeff Foxworthy returning as host, it seemed only right to kick things off with a spoof of his other hosting gig, the wildly popular “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” game show. Good natured Blake Shelton acted like a contestant on a series called “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grade Country Singer.” It was a funny introduction for what proved to be a great night of music and star gazing.


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
The performance aspect began with a rousing start when Rascal Flatts performed the high-energy song “Life is a Highway.” Because this show was all about the fans, the group was prepared to perform one of three numbers and fans were able to pick their favorite by voting at CMT.com. It proved to be a good choice as Gary, Joe Don and Jay set the entertainment bar high.

Carrie Underwood was up first to present the award for “Breakthrough Video of the Year,” an award that she took home last year.

Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
The winner was newcomer, Taylor Swift, who has been causing quite a buzz in with her hit “Tim McGraw.” Like Carrie last year, this is Taylor’s very first Award. “This is for my MySpace people and everybody who voted,” the seventeen year old proclaimed. “The fans… y’all, I’m going out on tour with Brad Paisley, and this is coming with me to every single signing line, so you can get a picture of the award you won for me. Thank you so much!”

“She about knocked me over,” Carrie said backstage when asked about the award presentation. “She was shaking, and that was me last year. It was amazing to be able to present that award to somebody who's up and coming. She was so excited, and it's always nice to see people who are so excited to win awards.” We hope Taylor was able to get some rest that night as she had to take her 11th grade finals at 8AM the next morning.


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean presented the award for “Wide Open Country Video of the Year.” The buckle went to Jack Ingram for his video “Love You.” Jack had mentioned to us earlier in the evening that he really didn’t expect to win. “Just to be mentioned in the same breath as Johnny Cash is an honor,” Jack said in his acceptance speech. “And to be nominated with Jimmy Buffett and Sheryl Crow, I’m honored.”

Taylor reemerged (wearing the beautiful dress from her “Teardrops on my Guitar” video) with NASCAR driver, Jeff Burton. Together the presented the “Video Director of the Year” award to Roman White for Carrie’s “Before He Cheats” video.

Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
Both Carrie and Roman accepted the award with Roman telling the audience that Carrie is one of the sweetest people that he has ever met.

Kellie Pickler and Melissa Peterman (“Reba” and CMT’s “The Comedy Stage”) presented the award for “Group Video of the Year.” Rascal Flatts was pretty much a shoe-in for this one as they had two videos nominated in this category. “What Hurts the Most” ultimately came out the winner.

Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
“To the fans, we wish every show was fan-voted.” Gary exclaimed when accepting the buckle. “You’re the reason why we make records. We thank you for all your love and support.”

Backstage the trio offered their opinion on why this video struck a chord with fans. “I think first and foremost, it's the actors in the video,” Joe Don explained. “Shaun Silva had a great concept for the video, for a great song. It was actually his idea for the video and something we never even thought of. The idea that we broke it up and made it a mini-movie helped the song a little bit and gave you a new, fresh story for what the song is about. So many people get their own idea of what the song is and their own impression. That's really what music is about. But his idea nailed it and brought it home.”

Cooking Queen, Paula Deen, was supposed to present “Duo Video of the Year,” with comedian Ron White, however, Deen got stuck in New York on the account of bad weather. Blake Shelton was happy to fill in for Deen, complete with wearing an apron and carrying a pie. The award went to Sugarland (“Want To”) who couldn’t thank the fans enough. “Thank you, CMT!” Jennifer proclaimed. “Thank you to the fans! How exciting! We love that you vote for this. It makes it that much more special.”

Josh Turner and Alabama’s Randy Owens had the honor of presenting “Female Video of the Year.” Carrie took the stage once again to accept the award for her “Before He Cheats” video. “Fans, once again, thank you guys so much!” Carrie began enthusiastically. “You’ve been so wonderful to me. Everybody at the fan club, you guys are amazing.”


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
Gretchen Wilson and (“Stone Cold”) Steve Austin presented the buckle to Kenny Chesney for “Male Video of the Year.” Kenny brought “Save Me” video director Shaun Silva to the stage with him. “I want to thank ... all the fans out there who have come to see us throughout the years,” Kenny said as he admired the buckle. “And, really, I want to thank Shaun Silva who continues to raise the bar to a place where a lot of people still try to reach. I’m proud of him.”

Before you knew it, Carrie was gracing the stage one last time to pick up the “Video of the Year” award from the ever-amazing, Barbara Mandrell. “It was at the CMT Awards last year that I gave my very first acceptance speech ever. Let me tell you, it’s great to be up here again,” Carrie gushed. “Thank you, fans! I’ve had such an amazing, blessed two years. I started out on a fan-based show, and you guys have continued to support me throughout everything.”


Photos by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
This year’s Johnny Cash Visionary award went to the legendary Kris Kristofferson. A video tribute was featured that included Gretchen Wilson, Keith Urban, Luke Wilson, legendary filmmaker and Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese, Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, Willie Nelson and acclaimed producer Don Was. Johnny’s daughter, Rosanne, presented the award to her lifelong friend. Kris seemed near tears as he recalled how profound an effect meeting Johnny had. “About 42 years ago, back when I was still wearing an Army uniform and I was older than Hank Williams was when he died, I shook Johnny Cash’s hand backstage at the Ryman Auditorium. And it changed my life. He was my hero. He was my inspiration. He was my champion. And ultimately, incredibly, he was my friend.”


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
To the fans delight, the show was heavy on performances and featured Kenny Chesney (“Summertime”)


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
Carrie Underwood (“Before He Cheats” was introduced by CMT’s Lance Smith and Ross “The Intern” Matthews)


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
Hank Williams, Jr. (“A Country Boy Can Survive” introduced by Big and Rich)


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
Toby Keith (“High Maintenance Woman was introduced by comedian Rodney Carrington)


Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
and Dierks Bentley (“Long Trip Alone” was introduced by “Friday Night Light’s” star, Taylor Kitsch).

LeAnn Rimes introduced Keith Urban who was in Australia at the time. Keith sent a video of an acoustic version of his latest single “Stupid Boy.”

Photo By: James Morgan/CMT
Martina McBride closed the show with a stunning performance of “Anyway.” The night certainly gave fans a lot of music to enjoy.

Photo by: Matt Huesmann/CMT
Jeff Foxworthy did a great job of keeping the show moving. At the very beginning, he acknowledging the horrendous act of violence that had occurred at Virginia Tech that morning and voiced what we were all thinking by saying “We want you to know that you are in the hearts and minds of the country music community.” Proving that sometimes laughter is the best medicine, he later launched into a hilarious take on his “Redneck jokes” by telling how to identify if you are “White Trash With Money.”

The mood turned serious again near the end of the show when Jeff took a risk and stopped the humor for a moment in order to deliver a passionate monologue regarding God and faith and what country music stands for. While talking to reporters he explained that his heartfelt sentiments were written about five weeks prior to the show. Though he had originally sat down to write something funny, his more serious side come through when he started to think about why he loved country music. Asking his wife what she thought, she said that it was too serious and would never work for the special. It was only when the producers told him that Martina was closing the show with the more somber “Anyway” that Jeff told the producers about his speech. They thought it was great and it made it onto the air.

If you somehow missed all the great action that was packed into the CMT Music Awards, the channel will air the special several more times. Do yourself a favor and tape it so you can watch it again and again. After all, thousands and thousands of country music fans voted and they managed to cast this special just right!



More From the "Orange" Carpet!