Best of 2008 - Spotlight on the Winners from the 2008 CMA Awards

This is Kenny Chesney's fourth win in the Entertainer of the Year category, and his third in a row. With sold-out stadium shows and playing to over one million fans every year, he definitely raises his game every year, bringing along several other acts, and keeping his ticket prices reasonable. During the 2008 CMA Awards show, Kenny performed his recent No. 1 song, "Everybody Wants to Go To Heaven," with The Wailers, who also sang on the original recording.

Not only did Carrie Underwood co-host the CMA Awards show in 2008, but she took home the CMA Female Vocalist Award for the third year in a row. Carrie also gave what I believe was the most memorable moment of the 2008 CMA Awards show when she performed her current single, and No. 1 song "Just a Dream." Add to that the fact that she changed outfits nine times during the show!

Brad Paisley recaptures the CMA Male Vocalist Award for a second year. He also won the CMA Video of the Year award last year, and picks that up again for his video for "Waitin' on a Woman." Brad co-hosted the awards show this year, and performed not just once, but twice. He opened up the show with Keith Urban on the playful duet "Start a Band," and later performed "Waitin' on a Woman" solo.

Lady Antebellum picked up the coveted CMA New Artist Award this year. They put on a heck of a performance of their debut single "Love Don't Live Here" during the CMA Awards show, which proves why they are so deserving of the award. Their self-titled debut was released in April 2008, debuting at No. 1.

Reigning CMA Vocal Group Rascal Flatts remained the CMA Vocal Group for a sixth year in a row. Gary, Jay and Joe Don continue to put out great music, having just released their first Greatest Hits disc earlier this year. Their Still Feels Good Tour played to over a million fans in 2008, and they'll continue another leg of the tour in the spring of 2009 with new opening artist Jessica Simpson.

By the end of the 2008 CMA Awards show, George Strait had become the artist with the highest number of wins. That number stands at 22 now. He picked up the CMA Album of the Year award for Troubadour and CMA Single of the Year for the song "I Saw God Today," which is his 56th No. 1 song. He also performed on the show, choosing a brand new song to play, called "River of Love."
Download/Purchase "I Saw God Today"

Sugarland won the CMA Duo award for the second year in 2008. Jennifer Nettles also won an additional award for writing their hit song "Stay." The duo's performance of "Love," a track from their latest release, Love on the Inside, was one of the highlights of the 2008 CMA Awards show.
Download/Purchase "Stay"