Rosanne Cash presents the "Johnny Cash Visionary Award" to Kris Kristofferson. She had nothing but praise for Kristofferson, who she said greatly deserves this award.
Other people part of the presentation include Willie Nelson, Don Was (Record producer), Martin Scorcese (Oscar-winning Director), Russell Crowe (Oscar-winning actor), Keith Urban, Johnny Cash, Gretchen Wilson, and Luke Wilson (actor), who were all shown in a video montage. The footage was extremely touching. Kris was very emotional, and told Rosanne not to cry or he'd start crying too. He told the story of 42 years ago, meeting Johnny Cash, and shaking his hand and how it changed his life.
Bon Jovi performs their country single "(You Want To) Make a Memory." This is the first single from their upcoming country album, Lost Highway, which is due out on June 19th.
Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean present the next award, which is the "Wide Open Country Video of the Year."
The buckle goes to Jack Ingram for "Love You."
Ross "the Intern" Mathews ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno") and CMT's own Lance Smith introduce Carrie Underwood.
Carrie performs "Before He Cheats." Wow, sexy Carrie! She's wearing short shorts and a top with a sort of a bustier. There are some strange sock-like things on her legs that don't cover her feet, but cover her ankles to her knees. Weird. Very, very high heels. Great performance.
Stone Cold Steve Austin (WWE Wrestler) and Gretchen Wilson present the next award for "Male Video of the Year."
The buckle goes to Kenny Chesney for "You Save Me."
Kellie Pickler and Melissa Peterman ("Reba" and "CMT Comedy Stage") present the next award for "Group Video of the Year."
The buckle goes to Rascal Flatts for "What Hurts the Most." They thank the fans, and Jay thanks the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, who are at the show, as well.
Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights") introduces Dierks Bentley.
Dierks performs the title track of his latest album, "A Long Trip Alone."
Rodney Carrington (stand up comic and musician) introduces Toby Keith.
Toby performs his current single, "High Maintenance Woman."
Barbara Mandrell presents the Video of the Year Award.
The buckle goes to Carrie Underwood for "Before He Cheats." Carrie was so very thankful, especially to the fans. She remarked that she got her start on a fan-based show, and her very first acceptance speech was at the CMT Music Awards last year. "It's been an amazing last two years,"
Jeff Foxworthy had another monologue about why people love country music. I didn't get all of it, but I transcribed most of it. He said:
"We sing about God, because we believe in him. We're not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists. We love country music because it touches us where we live. It's about momma's and when they were hot, and when they are unappreciated, and when they were dying. It's about daddies, and the difficulties they have sometimes in telling the people that they work so hard to protect and provide for, how they feel about them. Country music is about new love, and it's about old love. It's about getting drunk, and it's about getting sober. It's about leaving, and it's about coming home. It's real music sung by real people, for real people, the people that make up the backbone of this country. You can call us rednecks if you want. We're not offended, because we know what we're all about. We get up and go to work, we get up and go to church, and we get up and go to war, when necessary. All we ask for is a few songs to carry us along the way, and that's why I love this show. Because it ain't some self-important Hollywood hype, where the winner's determined by somebody else. On this show, you decide who goes home with the trophy, and you get to dance and sing along with the people that bring you the songs of your life."
Next Martina McBride performs "Anyway."
That's a rather odd ending, but that was it, other than showing some of the stars backstage, and other scenes from the show. Maybe they ran out of time.
Ashley and Marilyn will be bringing back a ton of pictures from the Red Carpet, I hope, and I can't wait to see them, and share them here on our next update.