After four years as a nominee, Tim McGraw [ tickets ] took home the Country Music Association's most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year, on Wednesday (11/7).

The three-hour ceremony, which took place at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, was filled with 25 musical performances which overshadowed the actual award presentations. It kicked off with Brooks and Dunn--bookended by cannons with star-shaped barrels--performing their hit "Only in America." After the song, Brooks and Dunn won their ninth Vocal Duo of the Year award. They also earned the pre-show prize, International Artist Achievement Award.

Diamond Rio performed its song "One More Day," which has became an unofficial anthem after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Alan Jackson followed the lead and sang "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," a song he wrote about the attacks. Later in the show, Dixie Chicks offered "Travelin' Soldier."

Several legends lent their support of the CMAs. Garth Brooks, after spending most of the year out of the public eye, shared vocals with George Jones on "Beer Run." Perhaps the most striking duet of the evening was between Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson on "Be There for You." Vince Gill [ tickets ] joined bluegrass artist Dan Tyminski, along with Alison Krauss and Union Station, for a spirited version of "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow," featured in the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Tyminski won Single of the Year for "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" (which actor George Clooney lip-synched in the film), and the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack and producer T Bone Burnett earned the Album of the Year award.

Wednesday's ceremony marked his 10th anniversary of Gill hosting the awards.

"People are saying, 'Hasn't he hosted it every year?'" joked Gill. "I think I did miss one in the eighth grade. This is my 10th anniversary of hosting the show. For my 10th anniversary, they gave me a gold watch and a one-way ticket to France."

The evening wrapped with a chorus of country music stars singing "America the Beautiful."