Storme Warren & Blake Shelton backstage at the 2011 CMA Awards. Photo by Cheryl Ecton.

This week’s Top 20 Country Countdown is coming at you straight from The 45^th Annual CMA Awards! Host Storme Warren caught up with some of country’s biggest stars both on the red carpet and backstage at the awards and also chatted with the night’s big winners, including Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry and Taylor Swift. Tune in tonight at 8/7 CT to catch all the action, glitz and glam as well as this week’s Top 20 videos!

Photos, videos and more from the CMA Awards! >>

Top 10 Moments from the CMA Awards! >>

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown is chosen by you, the viewers, so head over to our voting page and cast your votes daily for your favorite videos! Continue Reading

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Taylor Swift accepts award for Entertainer of the Year at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards is in the books and it was another year to remember. Two artists took home their first CMA honors, a living legend was honored by three of country music’s biggest stars and another superstar made her return to the CMA stage for the first time in five years, just to name a few of the highlights. In no particular order, here are our Top 10 Moments from this year’s CMA Awards:

Taylor Swift – Taylor took home the biggest prize of the night when her name was called for Entertainer of The Year for the second time. “I am so happy right now!” Taylor exclaimed after accepting her award from Reba McEntire. Taylor thanked the artists who joined her for special appearances during her tour, reading each of their names from a list on her arm. She also thanked her fans for filling arenas and stadiums across the country night after night. “I’m so happy we had so many to play for this year,” she said. “You have made my year. Thank you so much!” Taylor also debuted new music during the show, performing “Ours” acoustically.

The Band Perry – It was a big night for The Band Perry, who won their first  CMA awards, taking home three trophies by the end of the night.  The sibling trio won Single of the Year for their hit “If I Die Young” and Kimberly Perry was honored as the track’s songwriter  with the Song of the Year award. “Thank you to the beautiful fans of country music,” Kimberly said while accepting the Single of the Year trophy. “It is the joy of our whole lives to sing this song night after night.”

The trio also won the CMA for New Artist of the Year. “We just wanted to thank everybody so much for the last few years that you’ve given my brothers and me,” Kimberly said with her brothers, Neil and Reid Perry, by her side. “We promise to keep working hard every day out on the road and here at home in Nashville to continue to earn this award. Thank you so much for the honor of tonight.”

Jason Aldean – Always a nominee but never a winner, Jason finally heard his name called. Jason took home two awards, one for Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” his duet with Kelly Clarkson, as well as the coveted Album of the Year award for his triple platinum My Kinda Party. A visibly-moved Jason thanked his wife Jessica for “putting up with my schedule and everything that’s been going on over the past few years” while accepting his Album of the Year trophy. He also thanked his producer, Michael Knox, and gave a shout out to his daughters, saying he hoped they were in bed soon.

“I definitely think Album of the Year is a big one,” Jason said backstage. “From the guys who play on every song to the producer to the management to the label. It’s kind of a group win. To me, it’s big. Hopefully this album will be around long after I’m gone.”

See photos from this year’s CMA Awards Red Carpet! >>

Glen Campbell Tribute –Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley teamed up for a moving tribute to country music legend Glen Campbell. The three performed a medley of Glen’s hits “By the Time I Get To Oklahoma,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Galveston” with Jimmy Webb, the man who penned the songs, joining in on piano. Glen, who announced earlier this year he’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and embarked on his farewell tour, sang along in the audience before joining the group onstage. “It was awesome, it really was,” Glen said backstage after the performance. “The whole thing was just wonderful.” Continue Reading

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Reid Perry, Kimberly Perry and Neil Perry of The Band Perry accept an award at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Tonight’s 45th Annual CMA Awards belonged to The Band Perry, who took home three trophies — New Artist of the Year, plus Single of the Year and Song of the Year for their signature song, “If I Die Young.”

TBP’s Kimberly Perry remembers writing the song by herself at the Perry family home. “It was so organic,” she said backstage in the CMA Awards press room. “The song only took one day to finish, and I only got it halfway finished and took it to my mom, and was going to take it into town [Nashville]… and she said to finish the other half. So I went back and finished it.”

Other big winners of the night included country’s power couple, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert — who won Top Male & Top Female Vocalist — and Taylor Swift, who took home the night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year.

Complete List of CMA Award Winners >>

We loved seeing all the CMA Awards red carpet and show fashion, from Laura Bell Bundy‘s dramatic Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley will host the 2011 CMA Awards. Photo courtesy of the CMA.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood had to work hard to keep their gig as hosts of the CMA Awards for the fourth straight year. They faced stiff competition from the likes of Donnie and Marie Osmond and Miss Piggy before landing the job once more. Take a look behind the scenes as Brad and Carrie filmed the commercials for this year’s show!

Carrie Underwood’s Guide To Award Shows >>

Brad Paisley’s Guide to Award Shows >>

The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air live on ABC on November 9 at 8/7 CT – but who will the host be? Check out photos, videos and more in our special CMA Awards section! >>

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Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley will host the 2011 CMA Awards. Photo courtesy of the CMA.

Brad Paisley is co-hosting the CMA Awards with Carrie Underwood — but it looks like he also wants in on her gig as spokeswoman for skin care products! Brad’s pores come alive as he gets in on the action in the latest commercial for tomorrow night’s CMA Awards. Take a look below, and don’t forget to check out our special CMA Awards Section for rehearsal videos and photos, full list of nominees and a downloadable ballot for you to make your own predictions!

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Robin Roberts photo by Donna Svennevik, courtesy of ABC.

ABC will kick off two nights of country music programing tonight at 10/9 CT with the hour-long special, In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All access Nashville, reports Music Row. The special will give viewers an exclusive look inside the homes and private lives of some of country’s biggest stars including Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Sugarland.

During his interview, Keith opened up to Robin about his marriage to Nicole Kidman, being a new father and  his struggle for sobriety. Kenny took Robin to his new Nashville home where he talked about love, life and misconceptions.“I learned a long time ago, several years ago, to quit reading what anybody writes,” Kenny said to Robin.  “I learned not to think about what other people think, I’m just trying, I’m just doing the best I can do to be myself.”

Robin joined Faith in the recording studio as she finished her first new album in six years; and Scotty in the classroom to discuss how he’s balancing his senior year of high school with his newfound fame. She also spent the day with Lauren, who shared what it’s been like to put out her first album while learning to drive. Continue Reading

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(clockwise, l-r) Eric Stonestreet photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; Reese Witherspoon photo by John Russell, courtesy of CMA; Ginnifer Goodwin photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; and Kellan Lutz photo courtesy of 42 West.

ESPN sportscaster and “Good Morning America” correspondent Erin Andrews, actor Josh Dallas (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), 2011 World Series MVP and   St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, actress Ginnifer Goodwin (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), actor Kellan Lutz (star of the “Twilight” movie series and the upcoming “Immortals”), Muppet icon Miss Piggy, Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet (star of ABC’s “Modern Family”), actress Emily VanCamp (star of ABC’s “Revenge”), and Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon have been added as presenters on The 45^th Annual CMA Awards.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8-11 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

Previously announced performers for “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban performing a tribute to Glen Campbell; Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing select duets with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; Blake Shelton joined by Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley will host the 2011 CMA Awards. Photo courtesy of the CMA.

This year, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood had to audition to host the CMA Awards like everyone else. While Brad’s job is apparently safe for the fourth year running, Carrie’s might be in jeopardy. A famous actress has set her sights on Carrie’s gig – and Carrie’s co-host! Take a look at the stiff competition Carrie is up against if she wants to host this year’s CMA Awards!

Carrie Underwood’s Guide To Award Shows >>

Brad Paisley’s Guide to Award Shows >>

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Faith Hill photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

For the first time in 5 years, Faith Hill is returning to the CMA Awards stage as a performer. She will debut her long-anticipated new single, “Come Home,” on the show and will make the song immediately available exclusively on iTunes following its premiere on country radio. The CMA Awards will air live on ABC on November 9 at 8/7 CT.

“I’m ready to get out onstage and do what I love most,” Faith said. “There is no better feeling than performing live – it’s overwhelming, exciting, nerve racking exhilarating, all at the same time.” Continue Reading

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Thompson Square photo courtesy of Stoney Creek Records.

Thompson Square’s Shawna Thompson was ready to pack it up and head home after nearly 15 years of trying to make it in Music City. She told her husband, Keifer, who makes up the other half of Thompson Square, that she wanted to pack it up and return to her home state of Alabama. He asked her to give it just a little more time – one more time.

“We were right there on the cusp,” Keifer said in the San Francisco Chronicle. “And I said, `I swear, this is the last time I’ll say this: Give it one more year. Something’s going to happen. I feel it in my bones.’” And happen it did. The pair landed a record deal with Stoney Creek Records two months later.

It has been a wild ride since the pair signed their deal. They released their first album, their single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” reached No. 1 and they are nominated for two CMA Awards. A new friend who owns a car dealership recently gave them a Chevy Tahoe. “It’s just weird,” Kiefer said. “I didn’t think people gave away cars. It takes years to pay those things off.” Continue Reading

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