CMA Awards feature milestones and upsets

It was an evening of firsts at Wednesday's (11/11) 43rd annual Country Music Association Awards, with Taylor Swift and Darius Rucker breaking new ground during the ceremony.

Country cutie Swift became the youngest winner of the coveted Entertainer of the Year prize, ending Kenny Chesney's four-year streak. It was a teary win, with Swift--who was presented with the award by childhood idol Faith Hill--crying during her acceptance speech, as did her father, who was sitting in the audience.

"I'll never forget this moment because, in this moment, everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me," Swift said.

The Entertainer of the Year win marked her fourth award of the night; she also took home trophies for Female Vocalist, Album of the Year ("Fearless") and Music Video. While accepting her Album of the Year honor, she thanked her "amazing, beautiful" fans for their support of "Fearless."

"You guys, this album is my diary, and so, to all the people who voted for me, this is a thank you for saying you like my diary, because that's the nicest compliment," Swift said.

Meanwhile, Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Rucker became the first black singer to win New Artist of the Year, joining Charley Pride as the only African-American to win a major individual CMA award.

Rucker, whose first country album, "Learn to Live," went platinum, screamed, "Wow! What a year!" from the stage. Rucker thanked his family, management, record label and manager Doc McGhee (who also manages KISS). "To the fans, thank y'all for accepting me," the ecstatic Rucker said. "And I think most importantly, to country radio. You took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, SC. And God bless y'all for that. Thank you so much for that."

It was an evening of upsets, as well. Lady Antebellum ended Rascal Flatts' six-year reign in the Vocal Group of the Year category, but the group's Charles Kelley was quick to honor the former winners, as well as some of this year's competition. "Rascal Flatts, you've inspired us for such a long time. The Eagles. Zac Brown Band, you had one of the biggest hits of the year." Kelley said. "Thank you so much for letting us be up here."

Paisley was the only other multiple-award winner, with Male Vocalist for the third straight year and Musical Event for his duet "Start a Band" with Keith Urban.

Other winners included Jamey Johnson, who took away the Song of the Year prize with "In Color." "I never thought you'd ever let me come to stuff like this," Johnson said. "Thanks again, y'all; this has been an unbelievable experience. Thanks for listening to my music and letting me do what I do."

For the complete list of winners, see below.

The ceremony was rife with performances. Swift kicked off the show with an enthusiastic performance of "Forever & Always," featuring a cameo by Nancy O'Dell of "Access Hollywood." Mimicking her live shows, Swift, a fan favorite, ran across the stage, thrashed her hair around and dropped to her knees. Other performers included Rucker, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Urban, Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley. Daughtry and Vince Gill performed for the first time their song "Tennessee Line," which appears on Daughtry's album "Leave This Town." Other interesting pairings included Johnson with Kid Rock, and ZZ Top with Brooks and Dunn, with the latter group making their final CMA appearance after announcing their split earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, The Zac Brown Band charged up the crowd with its accelerated rendition of the "Devil Went Down to Georgia."

The three-hour event was hosted by Paisley and Underwood, who infused humor into the show. During their opening monologue, the duo took a swipe at Kayne West's September interruption of Swift's thank-you speech during the MTV Video Music Awards by singing a parody of "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys."

"That's the kind of talent that got Brad here his nomination for Entertainer of the Year," Underwood said after the song ended.

Little Jimmy Dickens further spoofed on the West experience by interrupting a mock thank-you speech from Paisley.

"Excuse me sir, excuse me," Dickens said. "I'll let you finish later. Now, Brad Paisley, I know you had a nice video, but ... Taylor Swift made the best video in her time. You go girl."

Entertainer of the Year
Taylor Swift

Female Vocalist
Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist
Brad Paisley

New Artist
Darius Rucker

Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo
Sugarland

Single of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer.)
"I Run to You"
Lady Antebellum
Producers: Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley
Capitol Records Nashville

Album of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer.)
"Fearless"
Taylor Swift
Producers: Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift
Big Machine Records

Song of the Year
(Award goes to songwriters.)
"In Color"
Songwriters: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto

Musical Event
(Award goes to each artist.)
"Start a Band"
Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)
Arista Nashville

Music Video
(Award goes to artist and director.)
"Love Story"
Taylor Swift
Director: Trey Fanjoy

Musician of the Year
Mac McAnally--guitar