Country Music Lets Its Hair Down At 45th Annual CMA Awards

Updated:

November 11, 2011 11:21 am

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Last night’s CMA Awards show was an entertaining affair, from Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley’s opening, jokey monologue to Taylor Swift’s show-closing Entertainer of the Year win — her second. Highlights included a stirring tribute to Glen Campbell, who recently announced his retirement due to the onset of Alzheimer’s — deftly handled by Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Vince Gill — and Martina McBride’s powerful performance of “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.”

The evening’s surprise guest was Lionel Richie, who dueted with both Darius Rucker and Gary Levox of Rascal Flatts (Richie has a country album due soon). Grand Ole Opry mainstay Little Jimmy Dickens, now 90, took the stage dressed as Justin Bieber. And actor Eric Stonestreet, who portrays a gay father on Modern Family, showed up to harmonize with Paisley and Underwood, showing just how progressive a Country Music Awards show could be.

The big winners were sibling act The Band Perry, who won in the top Song, Single, and New Artist categories.

The Band Perry: Playin’ In The Band – Read The American Songwriter Feature Story