3 months ago
Old favorites competed with young upstarts at Wednesday night's Country Music Association Awards, and age didn't always trump beauty.
In addition, Swift - whose vocal ability is not considered her strongest asset, even by some fans - earned best female vocalist, edging out famously supple singers (and previous winners) such as Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood.
She also earned album of the year for Fearless, thus getting three opportunities to give acceptance speeches that weren't interrupted by Kanye West. (Swift won four trophies in all, including video, presented before the broadcast.) She cheekily thanked "everyone in this room for not running up on stage" - though Kenny Chesney, a leading contender for entertainer of the year, did leap out to hug her.
The ceremony, which aired live from Nashville, was co-hosted for the second year by Brad Paisley and Underwood. The twosome reprised their playful chemistry, taking sly pokes at nominees, as well as West.
Paisley picked up another male-vocalist award, and one for musical event (Start a Band, a duet with Keith Urban).
A not-so-young upstart, Hootie & The Blowfish frontman-turned-country crooner Darius Rucker, 43, became the first black performer named best new artist. Rucker, who had said on the red carpet that he didn't "have a chance" of winning, later quipped, "I'm going to have a couple of beers tonight."
Last year's winner in that category, the trio Lady Antebellum, earned best single for I Run to You and ended Rascal Flatts' six-year hold on the vocal group prize.
The performances, too, mixed experience with youthful exuberance. Vince Gill joined Chris Daughtry on Tennessee Line, while Swift opened the show strutting through Forever & Always and later turned Fifteen into a sing-along.
"I couldn't be more grateful, but I love a challenge," Swift said after the show, reflecting on how she'll top this night. "Right now, the challenge is to find that next challenge."
Contributing: Brian Mansfield in Nashville By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY
Country's pop-friendly sensation Taylor Swift, 19, became the youngest performer to nab the coveted prize for entertainer of the year. The singer/songwriter beat out four highly accomplished male veterans, all old enough to be her father.
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In addition, Swift - whose vocal ability is not considered her strongest asset, even by some fans - earned best female vocalist, edging out famously supple singers (and previous winners) such as Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood.
She also earned album of the year for Fearless, thus getting three opportunities to give acceptance speeches that weren't interrupted by Kanye West. (Swift won four trophies in all, including video, presented before the broadcast.) She cheekily thanked "everyone in this room for not running up on stage" - though Kenny Chesney, a leading contender for entertainer of the year, did leap out to hug her.
The ceremony, which aired live from Nashville, was co-hosted for the second year by Brad Paisley and Underwood. The twosome reprised their playful chemistry, taking sly pokes at nominees, as well as West.
Paisley picked up another male-vocalist award, and one for musical event (Start a Band, a duet with Keith Urban).
A not-so-young upstart, Hootie & The Blowfish frontman-turned-country crooner Darius Rucker, 43, became the first black performer named best new artist. Rucker, who had said on the red carpet that he didn't "have a chance" of winning, later quipped, "I'm going to have a couple of beers tonight."
Last year's winner in that category, the trio Lady Antebellum, earned best single for I Run to You and ended Rascal Flatts' six-year hold on the vocal group prize.
The performances, too, mixed experience with youthful exuberance. Vince Gill joined Chris Daughtry on Tennessee Line, while Swift opened the show strutting through Forever & Always and later turned Fifteen into a sing-along.
"I couldn't be more grateful, but I love a challenge," Swift said after the show, reflecting on how she'll top this night. "Right now, the challenge is to find that next challenge."
Contributing: Brian Mansfield in Nashville By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY
