Wow! Some people saw it coming, while others, including myself, predicted that Music City's political machine might make Taylor Swift pay a few more dues before giving her the big tamale, the CMA for Entertainer of the Year. How wrong I was! But I was happy for her, and there's simply no denying that based on sales, radio airplay, concert sell-outs, television appearances, you name it, she's definitely at the top of the heap in country music.

Taylor's big night started early when she took home the coveted Album of the Year award, which Nashville insiders really hold in high esteem as the one award given for true artistic integrity. When Taylor won that trophy, I had an inkling that she was in for a landslide victory. Oh, and how great was it when Little Jimmy Dickens crashed the stage ala Kanye West, dissed Brad Paisley on his way to fawning all over Taylor! Classic.

At age 19, Taylor became the youngest person ever named the CMA Entertainer of the Year. "In this moment, everything I have ever wanted just happened to me," a stunned Taylor told the crowd. She then invited her band onto the stage and recognized each of them by name, which was a nice touch.

The other big surprise of the evening was Lady Antebellum taking home a couple of major awards, including Single of the Year and an upset victory in the Vocal Group of the Year category, a trophy that was in danger of being re-named the Rascal Flatts Award after their six consecutive victories before last night.

Beyond the hilarious Little Jimmy Dickens poke at Kanye West, my personal favorite moments included the Zac Brown Band's performance of Charlie Daniels' classic song, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," as well as Jamey Johnson's acceptance speech where he meekly admitted that he "didn't think they even let people like me into places like this." Another performance I really enjoyed was Lady Antebellum singing "Need You Now" with snow falling from the rafters of the Nashville's Sommet Center.

I'd love to hear what your personal highlights were for the show, as well as how you thought Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood did as co-hosts.

Photo © Big Machine Records

Taylor Swift, Kris Kristofferson, Brooks and Dunn and others were honored last night at the 57th annual BMI Country Awards. The invitation-only black-tie event was attended by a who's who list of Music City swells and industry big-shots.

Swift received top honors for her wildly-successful single, "Love Story," which was named BMI's Song of the Year. To date, "Love Story" has racked up just about every major award and achievement possible, including being the year's best-selling country song and the most-downloaded country single in history. We'll know in a few hours whether she takes home Best Video honors at tonight's CMA awards show. Swift is also up for the Female Vocalist of the Year award, Album of the Year, and the big kahuna, Entertainer of the Year. No word yet on Kanye West's where-a-bouts.

In addition to honoring the songwriters, producers and publishers behind the top 50 songs of 2009, Brooks and Dunn, who have won more Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards than any other act, took home the BMI President's Award for their influence on country music.

The evening's shining moment, however, went to Kristofferson, who was named a BMI icon. Willie Nelson, Patty Griffin and Vince Gill all took turns performing Kristofferson songs, who later admitted telling Willie before the show that he wasn't looking forward to all the commotion in his honor. Willie fired back that the joy in watching Kris squirm at all the attention was all the motivation he needed to attend the event.

What's your favorite Kristofferson song? Mine's always been "Sunday Morning Coming Down." Feel free to write in your favorite down below.

Photo © Big Machine Records

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" takes place in downtown Nashville at the Sommet Center (home of the Nashville Predators of the N.H.L.) and will air live on ABC on Wednesday, November 11 at 8/7 c. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are co-hosting the show.

The roster of talent performing this year is impressive and includes a number of non-country artists, which will undoubtedly infuse some different flavor into the event.

So far, the list of confirmed performers includes (in alphabetical order): Jason Aldean, Brooks and Dunn, Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews, Vince Gill with Daughtry (that should be interesting!), Jamey Johnson with Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and the Zac Brown Band.

As of Monday morning, there were a couple of hundred tickets still available, but those should be snapped up before the day is through. Also, if you're planning to attend the show, be sure to keep an eye out for road closures in an around downtown Nashville. One major street, Demonbreun Avenue, has already been closed down in certain sections. Check the local paper or news for other traffic adjustments on the day of the show.

If you do attend the CMA's, please share your experience with us below!

Photo © UMGNashville

Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Loretta Lynn and Vince Gill are among the stars giving tours of their homes and sitting down to talk with "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts.

Airing Tuesday, November 10 at 10 p.m. E.T. on ABC, "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Big Lights. Bright Stars. All Access Nashville" will also feature a number of up-and-coming performers, including Loretta's granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, and Vince's daughter, Jenny Gill.

"In The Spotlight" takes its cameras to Checotah, Oklahoma to visit Carrie Underwood, who gives Roberts a personal tour of her hometown. She also opens up about her personal life, including her current relationship with professional hockey player, Mike Fisher. Carrie also breaks out the home videos of her childhood, including footage of her all dolled-up for beauty pageants and singing in various grade school productions.

Next up is Tim McGraw, who gives Roberts a tour of his family farm, which is just south of Nashville, I believe. He talks about being a dad, Faith Hill's husband, and the difficult relationship he had with his father, Hall of Fame pitcher, Tug McGraw. Tim also spoke about how he and his father reconciled shortly before his death in 2004.

I'm especially interested in watching Martina McBride's segment because she lives just two minutes down the road from me. And her crib is awesome! (Well, from the road, anyway...). You can always tell when Martina's out touring because that big red monster of a tour bus she parks next to her palace is gone.

Photo © RCA