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The Country Music Association Awards were handed out in Nashville, from the Grand Ole Opry House, on November 7th. Hosting the show for the 10th consecutive year was MCA recording artist Vince Gill. I sure hope they continue to ask him to host, as he's a pleasure to watch.
 I've gotta say that this year's show was one of the most enjoyable awards shows in years. There was the spirit of patriotism... it seemed everyone had a red, white, and blue guitar, or one with a flag on it. The show wasn't predictible, in fact, some of the award winners were quite surprising, but for the most part, everyone did a wonderful job.
 The evening started out with Arista duo Brooks & Dunn opening the show with their patriotic single, "Only in America," complete with canons shooting confetti over the audience. What a great way to start the evening! They deservedly received a standing ovation after their performance.
Speaking of performances... boy, were there performances! Over the three-hour broadcast, there were over 24 performances. They even set up a second stage for performances.
 The presenter of the first award of the night was Warner Brothers recording artist Dwight Yoakam, and he presented the award for 'CMA Vocal Duo.'
And the winner was:
Brooks & Dunn.
 Next came a performance by the lovely BNA recording artist, Sara Evans, who was nominated for five awards. She lightened her hair quite a bit from her dark chocolate brown color, and she wore a burgandy satin blouse with black slacks. She sang her #1 hit, which was nominated for video and song of the year, "Born To Fly."
The next award was for 'CMA Single of the Year,' and was presented by Columbia duo Montgomery Gentry and Arista recording artist Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
And the winner was:
"I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow,"
by the Soggy Bottom Boys.
Dan Tyminski, who was the singing voice of George Clooney accepted the award with, "No way this just happened."
 The first of the Horizon Award nominees, Capitol recording artist keith urban performed next on the side stage. He wore blue jeans and a blue jean jacket that zipped up the front, and sang "Where The Blacktop Ends," while the screen behind him showed scenes of moving roads. The sound wasn't turned up on keith's guitar, so you couldn't hear his great guitar licks.
 MCA recording artist Trisha Yearwood, who was nominated for both Female Vocalist and Video of the Year, for "I Would Have Loved You Anyway," performed next on the main stage. She wore a long black dress, and looked very elegant as she sang the Harlan Howard-penned song, "Melancholy Blue."
The next award to be handed out was for CMA Music Video. MCA labelmates Chely Wright and Gary Allan presented the award. (Note: Chely joins the ranks of the females who have lightened their hair.)
And the winner was:
Born To Fly by Sara Evans.
When Sara accepted her award, she mentioned that this was her FIRST CMA award.
 Second Horizon nominee, Sugar Hill recording artists Nickel Creek, who were also nominated for CMA Vocal Duo, performed a melody of two of their songs; "Out In the Woods," and "House of Tom Bombadil." with a screen behind them showing beautiful nature scenes.
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