Live Blog: Jason Aldean

4:50-- Just in case you're there... lurking... waiting...hoping... anticipating... we're gonna ease your anxiety just a bit.  We're here in the fabulous OSHi green room (oshiflowers.com) at what promises to be the best CMT Music Awards show of all time.  Little inside info for ya, we've been watching rehearsals... you're gonna see some performances that are literally going to blow you away!  You better hang on to something tight. And as always huge surprises await.  As well as shout-outs from your favorite artists right here on CMT.com's live blog.  We're here and we hope you'll be with us throughout the whole shebang!  It's gonna be a stone soul picnic y'all!  Stay tuned...

 5:58 -- It's almost zero hour friends.  And we're gonna give you a quick little preview of what to expect.  One word... Magic!  "Here's your sign" that the awards show is going to be one for the books. Just spoke to host Bill Engvall and he is ready to rock. Like how I deftly used his catch phrase!?  That's the kind of clever witticism you can look forward to for the rest of the night!  Don't worry,they'll get better... speaking of getting better we have our first guest blogger of the evening joining us... Jesse Lee!

"Hello My Peeps!  Here in the green room at the CMT Awards, wishing you were all here.  I twittered you on my way here in the limo of a picture of me before I went on the red carpet.  So those of you that are not following me on twitter go to jesseleemusic.  It's really hot outside, glad to be indoors with some water, I was sweating off my makeup that took so long to put on!  I made it alive in front of all the cameras with shaking legs... this was my first red carpet and saw a bunch of friends.  Took flip footage that I'll be posting on my MySpace, so check it out!  MySpace.com/JesseLee, I'll be posting lots of pictures tonight as well!  It's been really fun, I love to dress up... "It's a girl thing!"

6:05-- Okay fans, we need your help!  While the OSHi green room is a fabulous hang out, the one thing we don't have back here is a television where we can watch the red carpet show!  So give us your comments... who looks good, who should have spent a little more time in front of the mirror and who should have stayed home altogether.  You'll serve as the official fashion police for the 2009 CMT Music Awards.  Here's a little insider information to start the ball rolling.  When Def Leppard tried to walk the red carpet they were initially denied access because they weren't wearing their credentials that allowed them on the red carpet.  In true rock star form lead singer, Joe Elliot, let security know that you don't wear your credentials on the red carpet!  That's not exactly how he put it but the guard got the point... he got in and we got our first fashion tip of the evening... credentials clash!

6:09 -- While waiting for the big show to kick-off, we'll take this opportunity to bring you our official introductions for CMT.com Live Blog.  I of course am your bloated barren of blogging, Shane Caldwell.  And joining me as always is Jennifer "Fingers" Morrison, Brian "Punchline" Bayley and sitting beside us tweeting on twitter are our fresh faced interns Liz Hayes and Lea Johnson.  Will be with you all night from the first note to the last smattering of applause.  Stay with us.

6:15 -- Now we have Charles with Lady Antebellum... "Hanging out backstage in the green room.  Got my father with me and Dave's got his sister and Hillary's got her little sister and everyone is excited to perform "Lookin' for a Good Time."  Wish us luck on the performance and thank you so much for giving us our 3 nominations. Love you guys, Charles!"

6: 23-- Okay country fans and sports fans... we've got a big time NFL quarterback joining us now.  From the Tennessee Titans, Kerry Collins! Very excited to be here tonight.  I'm a big country fan and I'm excited to watch all the artist tonight and be around it.  It's a big thrill.  Appreciate everyone's support for the Titan's out there and I look forward to a great season.

6:25-- We're blessed with true country music royalty, the daughter of Hank Williams Jr., the granddaughter of Hank Williams Sr. and an artist in her own right, here's Holly Williams!  "I'm Holly Williams, my album came out today.  Check it out if you can.  This is fabulous but my feet are about to fall off, it hurts to look good right!? Can't wait for the show tonight, I'll be toasting to Champagne.  If you get a chance, my daddy's on Jimmy Fallon tonight!  Hope to see you all soon on the road!"

6:41 -- Speaking of Holly Williams, be sure to check out her Unplugged at Studio 330 on CMT.com and enter the Holly Williams Here With Me Shopping Spree Sweepstakes!

6:47--  Here is one of my favorite comic actors and host of CMT's Singing Bee, Melissa Peterman.  "Just finished red carpet it was really hot but really fun.   I hope I don't appear too sweaty on too many television programs.  Darius ruckier just came over to me and said that I was beautiful and then said he wanted to me meet me.  And then he met me and I was like "WHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTT!"  I was like Yesterday I wanted to go up and meet you and look what waiting got me!  24 hours later and you wanted to introduce yourself for me.  And Ps... he got hot!  He went to camp somewhere and he didn't canoe he just got hotter.  Oh and Sheryl Crow walked by and she was like excuse and I was like "no problem"  and all I'm saying is... Probably my best friend now.  Read between the lines, that means we are going to hook up at the after party.  Everyone knows when someone says "excuse me"  that means... lets party at the after party BF!  I think my first outfit rocked!  And by rocked I mean there were no malfunction and it stayed on and I felt pretty good in it.  I have to go soon... my manager is tapping me on my shoulders saying I have to sit down. They wouldn't do that to Bill Engvall.  Please watch the Singing Bee after the awards tonight I can't promise it won't change your life but I promise it will make you laugh.  Love you all, Melissa P. "

7:05-- And away we go!  After an opening that I think featured Taylor Swift, at least I thought I saw her in there,  our host for the evening Bill Engvall decided to get the things started right by bringing out one of the hottest stars in country music... get ready ladies... Dierks Bentley.

7:08-- Dierks knocked them dead.  And I don't know about you guys but the set for tonight's show is one of the best looking that I've ever seen and I've got a sneaking suspicion that the performances tonight will be worthy of that great looking set!

7: 12-- Speaking of Taylor Swift performing with Def Leppard... enter the Taylor Swift & Def Leppard CMT Crossroads DVD Sweepstakes now at CMT.com!

As usual Bill Engvall brought the funny.  And got in a few good digs as well.  Now Kellie Pickler and American Idol'sRandy Jackson are presenting the first award for USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year.  With Randy presenting... it's assured that the winner will not be pitchy. And the winner is... Zac Brown Band, "Chicken Fried."

7:18 -- The final 5 nominees for Video of the Year have been chosen and as Bill said... the choice is yours.  You've got the power!  Go to CMT.com and vote for your favorite.

7:23-- Here comes Darius Rucker.  I think he's established himself as a country artist so we can drop all the Hootie references.  Of course according to Melissa Peterman he's a hottie, not a hootie.

7:28-- Here's a trio about to present Duo of the Year... Julianne Hough, Billy Currington and Rodney Atkins.  Two out of the four nominees are Sugarland videos... will they cancel themselves out?  And the winner is... Sugarland, "All I Want to Do."  I'm sure Sugarland is happy to have beaten out Sugarland!

7: 35-- Kerry Collins is a lucky man to be stage with Heidi Newfield because she be lookin' good!  And here's another group of good-lookin' people, Lady A!

7:38 -- We've been graced with a visit from a legend... here's the great Alan Jackson... "Celebrating 20 years in the music business this week... signed my record deal.  I made over 45 videos since I started and CMT and the fans have always been right there with me and I appreciate it!"

7:41-- Joining us now is the king of cable news... Mr. Bill O'Reilly...I'm happy to be here in Nashville because I believe that country music is a unique American art form and I was very pleased to be asked to present an award tonight.  But a warning for all to viewers... there's nothing worse than a Yankee pretending to be a Southerner... so I can't do that!  Enjoy the show!"

7:48-- Here are the sweethearts of CMT Joey & Rory... Joey -- "Hanging out backstage.  Just met one of our heroes... Alan Jackson.  Keith Urban came up to us, gave us big ole hugs and said he loved us... how does he know who we are?  Such a thrill to be here tonight, had a great time performing and hope for more to come!" Rory -- "Did you see my wife on stage... she's the hot gal next to the luckiest man in the world! We're sure having fun, can't wait to host the awards show next year!"

7:51 -- As usual Brad Paisley tore it up.  One of the nicest guys in the business and also the most talented. And now here's Toby and T.Pain, hints forth known as T-N-T,  to present the Wide Open Country Award. And the winner is... Kid Rock! He's about as wide open as it gets!

7:58  -- Okay... the world has officially stopped.  Here's Taylor Swift!  Enjoy! And her signature move -- tearing off her first outfit to reveal another outfit underneath.  That could come in handy in a bank robbery!

8:05-- Here's producer extordinare and American Idol judge, Randy Jackson! "Yo fans.. it's the dawg here at the CMT Music Awards, this place is rockin'!  This IS the hottest place to be tonight.  Wish you were here but I'm gonna lock it down for ya!  Yeah!  Holla!"

8:07-- And the winner of Group Video of the Year... Rascal Flatts!  Another group competing against themselves.  "Everyday" beats "Bob That Head!"  How will "Bob That Head" be able to hold it's head up... Oh the shame!

8:09 -- And taking us to break... the two kids young enough to be my grand children... The Carter Twins... how dare they be that young! Them with their whole lives ahead of them and me waiting for the grim reaper to strike! Maybe I can be reincarnated as a Carter Triplet!

8:13 -- Okay ladies... brace yourselves!  Here's Keith Urban!

By the way shoutout to the fans who are leaving their comments... great job!  Keep 'em coming!

8:17-- Here we come with the Performance of the Year brought to you by our very own Lance and Katie! 
And the winner is "Country Boy," with the King Greorge Strait, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and starring our number 1 guest blogger of the evening... Alan Jackson!

8:19 -- Justin Moore just took us out singing Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again," accompanied by the Rock Band Country Pack.

8:26-- Okay friends... here's a big one!  The Female Video of the Year!  And the winner will be presented by a couple of winners... Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas from Dancing With the Stars. I'm betting it's Taylor but will there an upset.  Here it comes... No upset tonight!  Taylor takes it home.

8:28-- Here's Sugarland... and the big surprise of the evening... wait for it... The B52's on the CMT Music Awards!  What hath God wrought?

8:38-- Here's a mover and a shaker in the music business and wife of the legendary Roy Orbison, Barbara Orbison.  This years CMT Music Awards are the best ever!  What incredible show and one of the best performances was Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me" is gonna be one of the strongest country number ones worldwide ever! I'm taking bets right now and I'm a little bias because I am Liz Roses' publisher, the co-writer with Taylor on this particular song.  So come on, challenge me!  And I want to congratulate my dear friend Brian Phillips, Judy McGrath and Van Toffler and all of CMT, VH1 and MTV on making a great music night in Nashville, TN come true!

8: 45 -- Trace Adkins gettin' it done with a great ballad and a great performance as usual.

8:50-- Here's a ventriloquist's dummy presenting Collaborative Video of the Year... what an honor for the winner!  Which happens to be Brad Paisley and Keith Urban for "Start a Band."  Congratulations guys!  Ew... Brad just dissed Martina.  Watch out Brad... those red heads are mean.  She's little but she's scrappy. 

8:54-- Here's three guys that are big winners tonight already... yeah, like they need another award, they never go home empty handed.  Plus, they've got hot wives!  Damn them.  Here's Rascal Flatts performing their new single, "Summer Nights."

8:56 -- Taking us out... here's hot new group Gloriana!

9:01-- Here's our girl Kellie Pickler gettin' it done with "Best Days of Your Life." Kellie should get stunt pay for performing in those shoes!

9:06-- Oddest couple of the night... Alison Krauss an Ted Nugent.  Wow they work so good together.

9:07 -- Gloriana here, just got off the stage and it was a lot of fun!  So glad that Keith Urban and Brad Paisley won the Collaborative Video of the Year... because they are both REALLY HOT!  From the girls of Gloriana...

9:10 -- Male Video of the Year and the winner is... My man Brad Paisley.  Proving that he's cutting edge... Brad Twittered thanks from the stage while he was accepting the awards.  To see this tweet and others from backstage go to http://twitter.com/FollowCMT!

9:15-- Now here's Jason Aldean performing, "She's Country."  And here's another big surprise of the evening... back for another stellar performance, the wonder, Keith Urban.

9:24 -- Here's guest blogger Melissa Peterman rockin' Dierks Bentley's song... or is it wrecking Dierks Bentley's songs? Here's Big T... Toby Keith.

9:27--Here is pop icon Fred Schneider from the B52's "Sugarland are the best, the minute we got here they treated us great and their version of "Love Shack" is kick ass and they are the nicest people and we are so lucky to have met them.  And hopefully we will work together very soon in the near future.  I'm happy to be in Nashville because I'm a big fan of old school country... I hit the record stores and bought em out cause I'm still a vinyl nut and a lot of good stuff you can only get on vinyl.  And make sure you see Sugarland when they come to town... and come see us too! We had a great time tonight.  The fans here were so wonderful, we didn't know if they would know who we were.  It was just a blast of love and fun and we had a good time plus I think our song sound a little country..."

 9:33 -- Here's the big one folks Video of the Year being presented by Luke Wilson and Martina McBride.  I guess she's gonna wait till after the show to kick Brad Paisley's ass.  And you picked... Taylor Swift!  You wanted her, you got her!

9:38-- Bill Engvall given last shout-outs, he did a great job.  We expected nothing less. Solid as always!

Brace yourself for the big finale fans.  I think it involves, surprise Taylor Swift!

9:40-- Taylor Swift and Def Leppard, you're not gonna see this kind of thing anywhere else... unless of course you buy the DVD! OR enter now at CMT.com for your chance to win the DVD and more! http://www.cmt.com/community/sweepstakes/taylor-swift-def-leppard-dvd

Here's one of the hottest new groups around... Eli Young Band.  "We are so excited to be here, first time performing on an award show.  CMT rocks our socks!" 

9:43-- More B52's have joined us, here's Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland -- Keith -- "It's been an awesome experience everybody's been really wonderful and gracious, I'll do it again!"   Kate -- "We never thought we'd be here at the CMT Awards and we are loving it and we do love country music and all genres of music.  All of us have grew up listening to a lot of different genres of music.  Love Shack is a country song in a lot of ways...I lived out in a little shack in Georgia, in Athens.   I raised goats and we had chickens.  When we wrote the song we had a mythical place in mind that was based on a real place call the Hawaiian Halee that was a juke joint outside of Athens and it had a rusted tin roof and that's where that line came from.  We enjoyed being here and we love Sugarland.

9:59  -- Here's the man of the hour, the Host of the 2009 CMT Music Awards and a darn fine gentleman... Bill Engvall. "Hey to all our fans out there!  The show's over it was a blast.  I had as much fun as it looked like I was having and I only threw up once which I thought was great.  Hope everyone enjoyed the show and look for my new special coming out in November called Aged and Confused.  And watch The Bill Engvall Show July 18 on TBS!  Thanks for being fans and thanks for watching the show!"

10:06-- We'll there you have it friends.  The 2009 CMT Music Awards.  A great show full of great performances and great country stars.  Thanks to all of you fans who voted, joined us on the live blog and on Twitter!  And now as we ride off into the sunset, I leave you with the words of the great Robert Earl Keen, "The road goes on forever and the party never ends."  See you later on!  Adios!

Kick it off Wichita. The 2008 CMA Awards show has started and it's started with a bang.  Two of the best guitar players in all of country music are burnin' it up on stage.  Brad Paisley and Keith Urban.  Brad Paisley and Keith Urban are smokin'!

This show open reminds me of the opening of Happy Days. I expect to see Fonzie give the thumbs up any second.

Here are your hosts... Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Even though he's a master guitar player... he hasn't mastered the art of the quick change yet.  He was still tucking in his shirt on the way out.  Fortunately for him I think everyone was looking at Carrie.

There's the King George Strait.  Does this guy ever age?  I actually think he's getting younger.

Pretty good opening exchange by Brad and Carrie.  Oh look it's Old Lady Urban and Wolverine. If you are wondering what these two are doing on the show... I guarantee it has nothing to do with the fact that they have a new movie coming out.  That's Australia coming to a theater near you November 26.

Here we go with Single of the Year!  And the winner is George Strait!  Still a classic.  He's walking up with producer, Tony Brown, a classic in his own right.

While we are taking a break, let me give you a little advice if you are visiting Nashville... the food at Paradise Park is worth the trip by itself. They just told me the kitchen stays open till 4 and they may have to throw me out.  I am now officially addicted to their sweet potato fries.  Thems good eats.

Kellie Pickler evidently raided Madonna closet for her clothes tonight.  She must have left the whip backstage.  But trust me, I ain't complaining.

My man Alan Jackson has evidently started a riot in the arena.  Wait!  They are all doing the same dance.  Is this some kind of mass hysteria? No, they're just having a good time!  Get it?

Billy Ray and Miley are about to introduce the winner of Song of the Year.  Wait for it...

I thought it would come down to the battle between Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Alan Jackson.  Easy for me to say of course after the fact. 

Sorry -- we had a little technical burp.  But now we're back. Miranda's performance of "More Like Her" was great and now Lady A is tearing it up.  Show's going great so far.  For 12 years Vince Gill set the gold standards for CMA hosts.  But Brad and Carrie have done a great job so far and are making their mark as well.

Another break... and another chance to hear from another one of our favorite country artists...  Big Kenny.

Some of you have asked if you can watch the awards online since you may be at work... you can see the show replayed in it's entirety on CMT Nov.29th.  See CMT.com for more details.  How bout them apples!

Martina's bringing out the leather just like Kellie Pickler.  Madonna's looking on and smiling.  Martina is always belting it. I've always wondered how that big big voice comes out of the little bitty body.

Okay guys I'm soliciting your opinion... who do you think is going to be entertainer of the year?  Sound off!

Black on black seems to be the fashion statement this evening.  Of course he's sticking with the brown cap.  He's a man of conviction.

Heidi Newfield and John Rich are about to present the award for Vocal Group of the Year. We actually just saw John walking down the street on his way to the arena.  Cuttin' it a little close aren't ya John?  And the winner is... The Little Rascals... Rascal Flatts. Congratulations boys.

Hey to Goober!

So far on the fan voting for Entertainer of the Year... we have 1 vote for Kenny Chesney, 1 for Keith Urban, 2 for Brad Paisley.  Here's another question while we're at it... Best dressed?  Worst dressed?  Let her rip friends!

Taylor Swift is Rapunzel in the tower... let down your hair! I feel like I'm on a ride at Disney Land... it's a small world after all.  Oh -- her fairy God mother aka her stylist, pulled the old switcheroo... I wonder what his name is.

Kid Rocks playing to the hometown crowd with that Titan's jersey. He's playing to me with this tune... I'm a Skynyrd fan from way back.  Turn it up!

I want to thank all our readers for saying what we can't say.  Very funny, very true.  'Nuff said.

Okay kids... I asked you earlier... best dressed?  Worst Dressed?  So far... no ones chimed in.  Do your worst... lets go!

The King is doing his impression of Jimmy Buffett... or is it Kenny Chesney?  I can't tell anymore. Of course George could sing the alphabet and it would sound good. Is Tommy Chong one of his backup singers?  If so, where's Cheech?

Remember kids... The song Jason Aldean is performing tonight will be on CMT.com tomorrow for a listening party! Now that's a country boy right there.  No leather.  No whips and chains.  Just all-American cotton and denim... I'll lay ya 5 to 1 that t-shirt came from Walmart and he's proud of it. Glad to see he ain't got above his raisin'... Thank you.

Taylor Swift is back in black to present the Best New Artist Award.  Hooray for Lady A. Congratulations kiddos!

We've just had a request for the list of the winners so far... so here ya go!

As you just saw, New Artist of the Year -- Lady Antebellum, Vocal Group of the Year -- Rascal Flatts, Song of the Year, "Stay," Jennifer Nettles,  and Single of the Year, "I Saw God Today," George Strait.  There ya go, glad to be of service.

We've gotten a lot of great comments on best dressed and worst dressed.  Way to go kids!  Keep 'em comin'.

Looks like Brad's about to do a tribute to one of the greats we lost this past year... Jerry Reed.  Give it up for the Snowman.

I think this is Carrie's fifth or sixth outfit so far tonight... I've lost count.  If she keeps this pace up she'll be in her pajamas before the shows over... or maybe naked.  I can dream can't I...

Continuing the trend for wearing black this evening... here's Reba and B&D.  Maybe they should call themselves "S&M." 

A trio of newbies presents the award for Vocal Duo of the Year.  And the winner is... Sugarland!  They must have known they were going to win... they went and changed into all black!

Congratulations to musician of the year Mac McAnally.  This guy's not only a great musician but he's been writing some of the best songs EVER since I first saw him open for Joe Cocker at the University of North Alabama in 1978.  One of the best.

We apologize for the oversight in reporting the awards at this point.  The award for Music Video of the Year was presented before the show and the winner was Brad Paisley, "Waitin' on a Woman" and directed by Jim Shea.  Sorry for the oversight. For the official list of the awards go to CMT.com... they know everything!

Darius Rucker doing a fine  job of crossing over from pop to country... lets hope he sticks around a while.

The trend continues... Brad Paisley wearing all black except for the hat.  I think the show could only afford one stylist this year or this could just be an unspoken tribute to Johnny Cash. This song won Video of the Year earlier this evening. It's a video that featured Andy Griffith... nice job Ange.  I'll see ya at the diner.

This is Jen.... Thanks Shane! : )

Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack on hand to present Album of the Year... I guess they didn't get the memo to wear all black.  A refreshing touch of color may I say.  And the winner is... "Troubadour."  The King still reigns.

Another big thanks to all of the readers of this blog for coming up with some great comments.  I think we're having more fun reading yours, than you are mine.  On a personal note to some of those Sylvan Brothers fans... thanks for remembering and God bless ya Ralph. To MR who asked about the power outage we experienced in downtown Nashville today... it's still out in some sections  but CMT is back up and running and the Sommet Center bounced back quickly.  We think it was all the hair dyers running at the same time back stage.

Alright ladies... brace yourselves.  Here's Keith Urban.  Gee... what a suprise... he's wearing black too!  You can listen to this song again at CMT.com! Head over to hear his single "Sweet Thing" on The Leak.

Here's another one we missed!  Musical Event of the Year was awarded pre-show to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for "Gone, Gone, Gone."  Congratulations y'all.  The statues in the mail.

This tribute is what country music is all about... no further comment necessary.  Lets just listen.

Here comes my pal Vince Gill.  The nicest guy in the biz.  He's wearing black, but at least he's got a green shirt on.  He's running down the new Hall of Fame members.. Emmylou, Tom T., The Statlers and Pop Stoneman. Welcome.

Here we go with Female Vocalist of the Year... who will it be? Carrie Underwood gets the trifecta!  Congratulations Carrie... well done! Let me just say if this award were given for pure vocal talent... Alison Krauss would be given this award for life.  Because a voice like that comes along only once in a lifetime.   However, from year to year it's what you do with that voice and this year they decided Carrie did the most.  Congratulations to not only Carrie, but to Alison, Miranda, Martina and Taylor.  Thanks for a great year... looking forward to many more.

Here's Sugarland... I think Jennifer borrowed her outfit from the road show version of the Lion King!  It's the "circle of life." Kristian on the other hand is going with the requisite all black uniform. The scarf's a nice touch though...

I've just been told that this is James Otto's very first performance ever on the CMA Awards. And like any first timer he followed the rules... he wore all black. 

One more shout out to all of you who are posting comments. You guys are the best group yet... keep 'em comin'!

Kenny we see you doing yet another Jimmy Buffett impression... Oops sorry... he's morphed into Bob Marley.  Right on, Mon.

That was one of the members of Bob Marley's band.. The Wailers.  Now I get it... forgive my ignorance.  I'm just a country boy.

Trace Adkins has taken the stage... how much more black can his outfit be?  The answer... none more!  But he sounds good and that's what counts by God. Thank you.

Here's our little Reesey... our hometown girl and faux June Carter Cash.  About to present Male Vocalist of the Year. wait for it... Brad Paisley! Are my eyes deceiving me or did he make a not so subtle birth announcement?

Hey it's the Eagles... they sound just like themselves.

Okay the shows at commerical. When we come back we're going to find out who guessed correctly for Entertainer of the Year.  And we'll find out who this special guest presenter is. I'm not going to say who it is but her name rhymes with Bania Gwain. 

Fans... go on to CMT.com now for fan voting for the red carpet fashion poll. http://www.cmt.com/cma-awards/voting.jhtml

Great hoogly moogly!  Divorce does a body good.. I don't think Shania's ever looked this good.  And here's the Entertainer of the Year... Wow!  Kenny Chesney!  Who'd a thunk it! Suprise, suprise, suprise!  Brian Bayley just told me Kenny wore the same outfit last year when he won EOTY... something tells me we'll be seeing this outfit again!

Congratulations Kenny!  Job well done.  Well that's it, shows over and they made it right on time.  Thanks for all your comments and hanging with us from the start all the way to the very damn end of this ride!  Until next time, remember in the words of the great Robert Earl Keen, "the road goes on forever and the party never ends!" See ya on down the highway... adios!

 And they're off.  The parade of stars will start soon and there's our very own Lance Smith in his very own Regis Philbin monochromatic suit and the lovely Katie Cook who couldn't look lovelier this evening.  Lets hope the same goes for all of our country stars this evening.... and here's Trace Adkins.  I wouldn't call him lovely, but I would call him a fine young man and a fine entertainer.  Anything else would result in a lot of pain and broken bones for yours truly.  Trace is nominated for video of the year, song of the year and single of the year.  Good luck big fella.

 Darious Rucker, minus the blowfish.  He's making waves in country music these days and is being quite well received.  However, could he have worn a tie? I guess but he's cool enough to get away with it though.

 Here's one of my favorite new groups... Lady Antebellum.  Love their songs, love their videos... I don't know about these outfits.  They look like they are ready to officiate a funeral service.  I can say that because I'm always so well dressed.  I usually look like I'm on my way to a tractor pull.

Since we have a break in the action on CMT's red carpet show.  Just want to take time to let everyone know we are here live from Paradise Park Trailer Resort here on the fabulous lower Broad in Music City USA.  Come see us and you can be part of this blog as well.  Make your opinions known.  It's the American way. 

Here's another one of my new favorites, James Otto.  He's a country music giant... literally. Katie looks like Fay Wray standing next to King Kong.

Here's the Lancer with Josh Turner... if his emotions are as deep as his voice then this guy then this guys got feelings to draw on for a lifetime of songwriting.

Hooray for us!  We have our first guest blogger.  Tommy Griffith.  Tommy just came off stage and was entertaining us before the we started.  He's a singer songwriter from Johnstown, PA.  Let her rip Tommy.  "So I'm up here playing and these folks come in and put a computer up and shut me down.  I'm playing next week.  Monday and Wednesday from 2-6 at Paradise Park... the best bar on Broadway.  And actually, I'm glad you all are here 'cause I'm actually up for an award tonight.  I'm up for the poorest struggling musician award and I think I got a good shot to win. But anyways thank you all for coming to see me and we'll see you next week... thank you!"

Thanks Tommy... great comments and they were also well timed.  It gave me a chance to lust after Kellie Pickler.  Fifteen minutes into the show and my inner dirty ole' man has made an appearance.  And she's followed by Jewel.  We've hit a deuce... well we've hit a triple.  Who's up next?  We'll see...

Here's Rodney Atkins up for the New Artist award tonight.  Still wearing that cap... it's good to see an artist dedicated to his own personal fashion statement.  I wonder if he wears it to church.  Good luck Rodney... I tip my cap to you.  Pun intended... that's why I get the big bucks.  You may now pause to vomit.

Now with another break in the action, we are about to order some food here at Paradise Park.  We hear the burgers are great!  We are about to find out...

LBT... Little Big Town.  They clean up right well. They're up for Vocal Group of the Year and they're dressed for success. Good luck to y'uns.

Miranda Lambert has arrived wearing Mr. T's jewelry.  However she could wear a toilet seat around her neck and she'd still look good.  She's up for Female Vocalist of the Year.  I hope there's a couple of Brinks cars with her.  Michael Phelps doesn't have that much gold around his neck.

Here's Keith Urban with some actress.  I think she's been in a couple  movies.  Will do a little research and try to figure out who she is. 

Here's Jason Aldean our CMT on Tour headliner and he's up for New Artist of the Year tonight.  CMT.com will be premiering the listening party for his new single that he'll be performing tonight on the CMA Awards.  I like Jason, he's the same off stage as he is on. Someone said the word tux to him before the show and it reminded him to put his t-shirt inside his pants. He ain't putting on any airs for anybody... not even the CMA.  Be yourself cool breeze.

Here's our very own Lance Smith with Jake Owen.  He's up for Musical Event of the Year along with Sugarland and Little Big Town for "Life in a Northern Town."  His outfit looks like it came from a northern town... He's dressed like a cast member of the Sopranos.  Sharp and shiny. 

Here's Sugarland... looking like they just stepped off a wedding cake.  With five nominations, the odds are they are going to have a good night.  Of course they could be the Detroit Lions of the 2008 CMA's.  We'll have to wait and see.

Julianne Hough looks like a rose.  Literally.  But what do I know about fashion?  I do know about beauty when I see it and holy moly she's a good lookin' woman.  If the rumors are true, you're a lucky man Chuck Wicks.

Here's the long tall Georgia boy Alan Jackson with his family.  Back in the 80's I used to clean his pool. No joke... just the sad reality of my life.

Lance with country queen Reba McEntire, now that's a classy outfit.  I'm no Mr. Blackwell, God rest his soul, but that woman knows fashion.  Oops, I just noticed her black fingernails.  I hope that polish and not the result of repeated hammer accidents.

I understand the girl Katie's talking to has gained a degree of popularity.  Word has it she's some country artist's daughter.  We'll do a little research and find out just who this Miley Cyrus is.

While I inhale these sweet potato fries and patty melt... here's a word from one of our favorites, Emily West.

Evidently it's very bright on the red carpet as Kid Rock has his state trooper sun glasses on.  Nice lid Kid.  The man can wear a hat.  This may be the first time I've ever seen him at a country music event without Bochephus standing next to him.  Our little man is growing up.

I don't know who's been harder to miss this week... Taylor Swift or Sarah Palin.  I'm only sick of seeing one of them at this point.  Saw her perform on Letterman the other night.  Dave loved her, that's not easy to do.

Nashville native and Oscar winner Reece Witherspoon has just stepped up to talk to Katie.  There's a lot of actors on our show tonight... a lot of them are cutting country records now.  Kevin Costner performed at the Ryman this past weekend and Robert Duvall and Jeff Bridges are starring in a new CMT Movie that will coming out soon and I hear Gary Coleman actually hummed a verse of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" on his way to visit his probation officer.