Entertainment, Music - Army Times

Add four to the Strait lore

George Strait became the Country Music Association’s all-time champ Nov. 12 in Nashville when he picked up four CMA Awards to bring his career total to 22. His wins for album and single of the year — plus two more for producing those discs — put him ahead of Brooks & Dunn’s 19.

He didn’t capture the top trophy, entertainer of the year, which he won in 1989 and 1990. That went to Kenny Chesney for the third straight year and fourth time overall. Chesney called the victory an “unbelievable ride.”

The 42nd annual awards show also served as the coronation of Brad Paisley as country’s jack-of-all-trades and master of all.

The singer/guitarist had four nominations and won two awards, video and male vocalist, repeating his 2007 victory. He opened the show with “Start a Band,” the witty duet in which he and Keith Urban quoted from seemingly half the biggest classic-rock songs. And he co-hosted with Carrie Underwood — also a winner with her third straight female vocalist award — who played straight woman to his dry quips. (Before the first award: “Nobody here is a loser ... yet.”)

The telecast piled on the star power early. Australian movie stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, Urban’s wife, presented the first award. Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley presented Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles with the song trophy, a writer’s award, for “Stay.” Sugarland later picked up its second straight duo award.

Stars from film, TV and other musical genres saturated the show. Rapper Lil Wayne broke new ground by playing unobtrusive guitar with Kid Rock. Reggae group The Wailers accompanied Chesney.

Rascal Flatts won its sixth straight group award. “We found out tonight that we tied the Statler Brothers for consecutive CMA wins [in the category],” singer Gary LeVox said backstage. ”You can’t dream that.”

Alison Krauss picked up her ninth trophy and Robert Plant his first, as their “Gone, Gone, Gone” won musical event. Lady Antebellum was named best new artist.

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Brian Mansfield contributed to this report.