Capitol recording artist Cyndi Thomson sang a bit of her No. 1 single, "What I Really Meant To Say," and lead into a commercial.

Curb recording artist, and CMA Entertainer and CMA Male Vocalist nominee, Tim McGraw performed next on the main stage. He sang "The Cowboy in Me" while the big screen behind him showed pictures of cowboys.

Next came the part of the show I'd been waiting for all night. Capitol recording artist Garth Brooks and Bandit recording artist George Jones sang their duet, "Beer Run." The sound was too low on George Jones' microphone, and you couldn't hear him as well as you could Garth.

RCA recording artist and CMA Female Vocalist nominee Martina McBride walked up to the stage recreate her song "When God-Fearin' Women Get The Blues." She wore a short purple dress that was topped by a black lacey top. She looked wonderful!

This year has been a hard one, with the horrible events of September 11th, and those we lost since last CMA awards, Arista recording group and CMA Vocal Group nominees Diamond Rio paid tribute to the unsung heroes and the ones that left us with their beautiful song, "One More Day," which was nominated for CMA Song of the Year, and CMA Single of the Year. Behind them as they sang was a montage of photos from September 11th, and then pictures of the artists that passed away; John Hartford, Dale Evans, Johnny Russell, Van Stephenson, and Chet Atkins. This got a well-deserved standing ovation. It was very well done, and that was the perfect song for a tribute.

Next performance came from DreamWorks artist and CMA Male Vocalist nominee Toby Keith, singing "I Wanna Talk About Me."

Sony recording artists Tammy Cochran, and Billy Ray Cyrus presented the next award of the night which was for CMA Song of the Year.

Song recording group Dixie Chicks performed next, a Bruce Robison tune, "Travelin' Soldier." They sounded excellent as they presented the song in acoustic fashion. I really hope that they'll include this song on their next album.

Warner Brothers recording artist Blake Shelton sang a bit of "Austin" and lead into a commercial.

MCA recording artist and CMA Female Vocalist nominee Lee Ann Womack wearing a short black dress and high black boots sang her latest single, "Does My Ring Burn Your Finger." She was also one of the females that had lightened their hair.

BNA recording artist Kenny Chesney presented the award for CMA Female Vocalist.

Lee Ann was shocked as she came back onstage, and she grabbed the envelope from Kenny to make sure he really read her name.

Arista recording artist and CMA Horizon nominee Phil Vassar performed "Just Another Day in Paradise.

DreamWorks recording artist and CMA Horizon nominee Jessica Andrews performed her No. 1 single, "Who I Am." She was dressed in a black and tan peasant-style blouse with black slacks. On the bottom of the blouse was some sort of hot pink ruffle that really looked out of place. Very STRANGE outfit. She is another of the female artists with lighter hair.

Warner Brothers recording group Trick Pony and Epic recording artist Billy Gilman presented the CMA Horizon Award. Trick Pony's Ira picked up Billy Gilman and was giving an acceptance speech like Billy was the award. Billy was saying that Ira was going senile. It was funny!

keith was shocked to hear his name and as he approached the stage Ira again picked up Billy and handed him to keith who took him and then set him on the stage.

One of my very favorite moments of the night had to be Arista recording artist Alan Jackson performing a song he wrote about the September 11th tragedies called "The Day the World Stopped Turning."