Country Music Awards 2011

‘I’m so happy right now this is to all the fans who filled up all the stadiums and the venues.’
And she looked sensational in a flowing oyster coloured dress which showed off her slender frame to perfection.

The big winners of the night proved to be The Perry Band with the group winning three awards.

While Taylor might not have scooped up a collection of trophies that evening she had been rewarded with a standing ovation from nearly the entire crowd as she performed on stage.

As she took to the red carpet earlier in the evening Taylor oozes simple sophistication in her strapless chiffon number, complete with a flowing train by J, Mendel.
She wore her hair tied back in curls and a ponytail, opting for rather more subtle make-up than some of the other guests at the event, whom could have been accused of being a little heavy handed with the cosmetics.

LeAnn Rimes fell into this category with bright red lipstick and overdone eyes.

The singer, whose getup usually consists of hot pants and a sheer top, turned on the glamour in an tiered dress by Badgley Mischka, which boasted a ruffled train down the back.

They both happily posed on the red carpet before making their way inside to country music’s biggest event of the year.

On the red carpet, the genre-mixing was in high gear.

Lionel Richie was the star of the night, receiving excited hugs and informal tributes from stars like Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Miranda Lambert.

Shelton arrived with his wife and fellow nominee Lambert, who showed up in a stunning strapless silver sequined dress, before slipping away to prepare to open the show alongside Kenny Loggins.
Richie was making his first appearance at the awards since 1986, and sang selections from his new country duets album with Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town.

Faith Hill debuted a new single while American Idol winner Scotty McCreery returned to to the stage.

Blake Shelton and Kenny Loggins opened an eclectic Country Music Association Awards with a high-energy version of Loggins’ hit ‘Footloose,’ but Hank Williams Jr. stole the show.

Williams appeared during the opening skit Wednesday night with hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who lampooned his recent troubles with ESPN and his ‘Monday Night Football’ theme song.

Paisley brought out an acoustic guitar and began his own version of ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.’

‘Are you ready for an awards show … This is rockin’ Bradcephus,’ Paisley sang before Underwood warned him he might draw Williams’ ire.

As they spoke, Williams quietly walked up behind the hosts to the roar from the crowd. Asked if he wanted to say something, Williams said, ‘No,’ to the delight of the crowd.

Joking continued throughout the evening with fun poked at the height difference between Keith Urban and his wife Nicole, and Kim Kardashian’s 72 Day marriage was also mocked.

The theme of the night quickly became country crossovers with Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson teaming to win musical event of the year on ‘Don’t You Want to Stay’ and Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter winning video of the year for their steamy ‘You and Tequila.’

The Band Perry won single of the year for their surprise breakthrough ‘If I Die Young.’

Ahead of the awards Jason Aldean and Shelton spoke out about being new additions to the Entertainer of the Year category.