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Kenny Chesney pulls down top honor at CMA Awards
Kenny Chesney , who previously had never won a CMA Award, started his collection by besting the competition in this year's Entertainer of the Year category.
Chesney also scored the Album of the Year trophy for "When the Sun Goes Down."
"I am so proud to be in country music," Chesney said during the ceremony. "I love it with all my heart. I stay up at night thinking about how to make my show better. Thank y'all very much."
Tim McGraw 's "Live Like You Were Dying," the title track from his latest album, picked up two wins as well: Single of the Year, which goes to McGraw and his co-producers, Byron Gallimore and Darran Smith; and Song of the Year, which goes to songwriters Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman.
The song is a tribute to McGraw's late father, baseball player Tug McGraw, who died last year.
"The song came to me around Thanksgiving [of 2003]," McGraw said backstage after claiming his trophy. "That's when we sort of learned that Tug didn't have a chance. We cut the song three weeks later and it wasn't sad. It was something special."
Also claiming two trophies apiece were Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss , whose duet "Whiskey Lullaby" was crowned Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year.
Other winners included Martina McBride , who claimed the award for Female Vocalist of the Year; Keith Urban, who took Male Vocalist of the Year; up-and-comer Gretchen Wilson, who snagged the Horizon Award; and Brooks & Dunn, who, in addition to hosting the event, picked up the award for Vocal Duo of the Year.
A complete list of winners appears below.
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Male Vocalist of the Year
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Martina McBride
Horizon Award
Gretchen Wilson
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Vocal Group of the Year
Rascal Flatts
Album of the Year (Award to Artist and Producer)
"When the Sun Goes Down"
Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon / Kenny Chesney
Bna Records
Song of the Year (Award to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)
“Live Like You Were Dying”
Tim Nichols / Craig Wiseman
Warner-Tamerlane/Big Loud Shirt
Single of the Year (Award to Artist and Producer)
“Live Like You Were Dying”
Tim McGraw
Produced By Byron Gallimore / Tim McGraw / Darran Smith
Curb Records
Music Video of the Year (Award to Artist and Director)
“Whiskey Lullaby”
Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss
Directed by Rick Schroder
Musical Event of the Year
Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss
“Whiskey Lullaby”
Arista Nashville
Musician of the Year
Dann Huff
