Taylor Swift regained the crown she last won in 2009 as she was named entertainer of the year at Wednesday's 45th Country Music Association Awards in Nashville.
After accepting the award, a bubbly Swift held up her wrist and began reading off a list of the artists who had performed with her on her top-drawing Speak Now world tour this year, including Tim McGraw, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Hot Chelle Rae, Kenny Chesney and Usher.
"This is amazing, the camaraderie among artists," Swift said. "You have made my year."
The year, and perhaps a career, was also made for The Band Perry. Nominated for four top awards, the emerging ensemble won new artist and single and song of the year for If I Die Young, losing only to Lady Antebellum in the vocal-group category.
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, his wife of six months, continued to reap presents as both were named top vocalist in their respective categories. "It's gonna be a good night, baby," Lambert cooed to her husband after her win.
Jason Aldean, who was nominated in five categories, won his first-ever CMA trophies: album of the year for My Kinda Party (the year's top country seller) and musical event for his Don't You Wanna Stay duet with Kelly Clarkson.
As Sugarland accepted its fifth consecutive vocal-duo award, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles gave a shout-out to fans in Indiana. In August, before the duo's performance at the Indiana State Fair, an outdoor stage collapsed, killing seven people.
The show, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, had one indisputable emotional highlight: Glen Campbell watched from the audience and mouthed the words as Paisley, Vince Gill and Keith Urban sang a medley of his hits. Campbell announced this year that he has Alzheimer's disease and will no longer record.
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