NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Taylor Swift is the Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year.
Swift leaped from her seat and jumped up and down before hugging her mother and good friend Tim McGraw. She is the second woman to win entertainer of the year twice at the CMAs, joining Barbara Mandrell. Swift also won the honor in 2009.
Meanwhile, a melancholy song, “If I Die Young,” helped the rising-star siblings who make up the Band Perry to three trophies: song and single of the year and best new artist.
“It’s just always felt like a song that was meant to be here,” Kimberly 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 CD. It also included “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” his duet with Kelly Clarkson, which won musical event of the year.
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, while Gregg Allman joined his fellow Peach State natives in the Zac Brown Band on “Georgia on My Mind.”
Sugarland won vocal duo of the year for the fifth straight time. Best vocal group was Lady Antebellum. Miranda Lambert was named best female vocalist, while her husband, Blake Shelton, was named best male vocalist.
