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Co-Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood

Tonight the big stars of country music took the stage at the Sommet Center in Nashville for the annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The hosts of this year’s CMA awards were Brad Paisley and former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood. The two were chosen to host the show due to their winning the 2007 Male and Female Vocalists of the year. If that’s the academy’s new way of selecting hosts Brad and Carrie will be hosting again next year as they took the vocalist of the year awards home again for 2008!

The 42nd annual awards started off with a bang with a performance by co-host Brad Paisley and superstar Keith Urban.  Urban’s and wife Nicole Kidman welcomed new baby Sunday Rose in July but the 4 month old baby girl did not join the couple on the red carpet. Keith Urban was also nominated for two awards, Entertainer of the Year (which he won in 2005) and Male Vocalist of the year (which he claimed in 2004, 2005 and 2006).

Past winner and nominee Keith Urban with wife Nicole Kidman

In addition to opening the show, Brad Paisley also sang his newest single ‘Waitin’ on a Woman’ while Carrie Underwood belted out ’Just a Dream’.  Carrie Underwood also had some accomplishments during the show she managed a total of 7 wardrobe changes after hitting the red carpet!

Nicole Kidman wasn’t the only Oscar winner in attendance;  , star of the new holiday film \’Four Christmases\’ ,Reese Witherspoon presented the award for Male Vocalist of the year.

Entertainer of the Year was claimed by Kenny Chesney who is no stranger to the honour as he won in 2007, 2006 and 2004. Wit 29 nominations and 7 awards during his career he must have his acceptance speech memorized! Also nominated were, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Sugarland and Keith Urban.

2008 Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney

Though he didn’t pick up Entertainer of the Year, 23 years after his first CMA, George Strait once again won Album of the year and also added Single of the year. With a total of 22 awards and 75 nominations dating as far back as 1983, this country legend definately has his speech memorized!

So after Entertainer of the Year was awarded and Carrie Underwood made one more dress change the country celebrities left in their glamorous clothes in search of their blue jeans and boots until the fancy dress comes out again next year!

For complete details on the CMA’s be sure to check out http://www.cmaawards.com/2008/