George Strait Named Academy of Country Music's(CMA) Artist of the Decade

George Strait will be saluted as the Academy of Country Music's artist of the decade in an all-star concert that airs Wednesday night on CBS.The show was taped last month in Las Vegas and features performances by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and more.

Garth Brooks, named artist of the decade for the 1990s, presented Strait his award. Strait joins only four other artists who have received this distinction: Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Alabama and Brooks.Strait's career spans nearly 25 years and includes many classics, including "Amarillo by Morning," ''The Chair" and "Give It Away."

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George Strait Wins Two Awards In Country Music Association Awards(CMA) 2008

Kenny Chesney won his only award of the night, but it was the biggest award of the night - Entertainer of the Year - at the 42nd annual Country Music Association awards."As much as tonight is about awards, I really believe that being able tos tand up here is more about great songs. It's more about the fans. It's more about being on stage every stage in front of a lot of people every night that make it happen...This is my fourth time standing up here, and I'm really humbled, and I really appreciate it." He then proceeded to thank indivdual people, who have helped him.

Brad Paisley, George Strait and Sugarland took two awards apiece during the three-hour show. Sugarland's Stay won song of the year. Jennifer Nettle took the award as the writer. "I love writing writing songs and I love performing them, and I love fans coming to our shows," she said. "it's just been a gift from the beginning. It's been a gift to write."

Sugarland also won vocal duo of the year. "You never know when you get up here if you're ever going to be able to come up here again," said Nettles.Paisley won male vocalist of the year. Hethen gave fellow nominee Keith Urban a hug and kissed his pregnant wife's belly. "it's an amazing thing being at that place where they do such great things with records," Paisley said of his label.

Prior to the televised portion, Paisley took home video of the year for Waitin' on a Woman.Album of the year honors went to Strait's "Troubadour," his second win of the night. Tony Brown also took home an award as producer. "Wow," said Strait, in thanking the CMA and Brown. "I love this album, and I really appreciate everyone who bought it." He also thanked the musicians "who played on it, who played their hearts out...everybody says they have the greatest fans. I really have the greatest fans."

Strait took home the first award of the night with I Saw God Today as single of the year. In accepting the award with producer Tony Brown next to him, Strait thanked the songwriters Rodney Clawson, Montey Criswell and Wade Kirby. "You all are very gifted," Strait said.

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Lady Antebellum,George Strait And Jennifer Nettles Won CMA Awards 2008

George Strait won single and album of the year at Wednesday's CMA Awards, a ceremony highlighted by a lavish performance by Taylor Swift, a surprise appearance by rapper Lil Wayne and Reba McEntire's onstage collaboration with Brooks & Dunn on the song she inspired, "Cowgirls Don't Cry."

Strait, wearing a black suit and cowboy hat, thanked the songwriters for "letting me sing such a beautiful song" after the poignant "I Saw God Today" won single of the year. He later won album of the year for "Troubadour."Also winning two awards was Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Sugarland won the award for duo of the year, and earlier, Nettles won song of the year for Sugarland's hit "Stay."

"I love writing songs. I love performing them and love the fans who come out to our shows to see what we write," said Nettles as she accepted her trophy. "It's just been a gift from the beginning and been a gift to write and I hope it's been a gift and touched your heart."Rascal Flatts won their sixth straight vocal group of the year award, beating out the Eagles, Emerson Drive, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town for the honor.

"Thank you to all our fans who came out to see us all year long," said Jay DeMarcus, who wore a jacket with a bright floral print. "I'm glad this happened early in the show because I've got to get mamaw's curtains back soon."Lady Antebellum, a trio that is one of country music's most promising acts, won best new artist. As they picked up their award, their awe-struck guitarist, Dave Haywood, said: "It's not supposed to happen like this."

While the awards may have been the main point of the evening, it was the performances that dominated the show. Kid Rock performed his hit "All Summer Long," and, perhaps in a nod to his hip-hop roots, brought out top-seller Lil Wayne on stage, though the rapper didn't utter a word — he just mimicked playing a guitar onstage. He may have been the first true rap act to perform at the CMAs.

Swift brought her hit "Love Story," which features characters named Romeo and Juliet, to life with an elaborate set which featured her wearing a medieval-looking purple gown with a castle backdrop: She later shed the gown to reveal a sweeping white dress.

Brooks & Dunn have said that "Cowgirls Don't Cry" was inspired by country great McEntire, and she joined them as they sung the ode to a tough woman.Miranda Lambert sang "More Like Her," a gentle track in striking contrast to her fiery hits like "Gunpowder and Lead." Lambert performed the song solo while sitting on a stool with an acoustic guitar.

Brad Paisley and Keith Urban opened the show with dueling guitars as they performed their duet, "Start a Band." The song is the first single from Paisley's new mostly instrumental album, "Play." The two incorporated elements of classic rock anthems such as "Layla" and "Smoke on the Water" as they played.

Paisley did double duty, also hosting the show with fellow nominee Carrie Underwood. Paisley targeted several of the night's nominees for jokes, including 18-year-old Swift: "Talk about dedication. Did you know she had to sneak out of the house to be here because she has a huge math test and a meeting with her accountants tomorrow?"

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, who are costarring in the upcoming movie, "Australia," presented the night's first award. Reese Witherspoon was also in attendance.In awards given out before the live telecast of the show on ABC, Paisley won video of the year for "Waitin' on a Woman," featuring TV legend Andy Griffith, and Alison Krauss and Robert Plant won musical event of the year for their duet "Gone, Gone, Gone."

Other performers included Kellie Pickler, wearing a skintight black mini-dress, and Alan Jackson, who sang his hit "Good Time" with a parade of dancers lining the aisles of the audience.Kenny Chesney was the lead nominee with seven and is seeking his third straight — and fourth overall — entertainer of the year award. If he wins, Chesney would tie Garth Brooks for most wins in that category.

While country music is honoring its top artists and songwriters this week, Martina McBride has been named the recipient of a different award. The Nashville Symphony will bestow its Harmony Award on Martina during the annual Symphony Ball at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center on December 13th. The honor acknowledges those individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and appreciation of music in Nashville.

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