The Pinnacle of Country Music Achievement
In 1967, Country legend
Eddy Arnold
ascended the steps of the CMA Awards stage to claim the first-ever CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year. Arnold's steps set forth a journey of honoring excellence – a journey that continues more than four decades and 32 Entertainers of the Year later, right up to the reigning 2011 honoree,
Taylor Swift
. Recognized worldwide as "Country Music's Biggest Night™," the CMA Awards stand as the only entirely peer-voted honor in the format, and as such represent the pinnacle of achievement in the Country Music industry. Each year, trophies are doled out in 12 categories, while music lovers coast-to-coast gather to celebrate America's music.
Taylor Swift Accepts 2011 Entertainer of the Year
Reigning 2011 CMA Awards Winners
Entertainer of the Year
Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shleton
New Artist of the Year
The Band Perry
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Vocal Duo of the Year
Sugarland
Single of the Year
"If I Die Young"
Produced by
Paul Worley
Album of the Year
MY KINDA PARTY
Produced by
Michael Knox
Song of the Year
"If I Die Young"
Writen by
Kimberly Perry
Musical Event of the Year
"Don't You
Wanna Stay"
Jason Aldean
with Kelly Clarkson
Music Video of the Year
"You And Tequila"
Kenny Chesney
featuring Grace Potter
Musician of the Year
Mac McAnally
Guitar