NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It's been Taylor Swift's year, and Wednesday was her night as she became the youngest person and the first solo female act in a decade to win the Country Music Association's entertainer of the year award.
Swift won all four awards for which she was nominated, making history on a historic night that included Darius Rucker's win as new artist.
"I'll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me," Swift said through tears as she accepted the association's highest honor during ceremonies at Sommet Center.
The 19-year-old crossover sensation beat the biggest names in country and snapped Kenny Chesney's stranglehold on the category: He won three straight and four of the last five. She also ended Carrie Underwood's three-year dominance in the female vocalist category.
Chesney hugged and kissed Swift on the cheek, then whispered a message in her ear before she received the trophy. She called her band on stage and was the center of a group hug as fans cheered wildly, holding signs that said, "We love you, Taylor"; her father cried in the audience.
"Every single person in that category let me open up for them this year," Swift said. "Thank you all so much. I love you."
Rucker was also a fan favorite, running into the crowd during his performance of "Alright." The Hootie and the Blowfish frontman, who has sold 1 million copies of his first country album, "Learn to Live," became the second African-American to win a major individual CMA.
He joins Charley Pride, who won entertainer of the year in 1971 and male vocalist in 1971-72.
Entertainment
Taylor Swift wins CMA entertainer of the year
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Goshen music venue offers an intimate experience
From the front row at the Ignition Garage you can reach out and touch your favorite musician on stage. From the back row, you’re still within eye-contact range.
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Choirs to perform Sunday at Goshen College
Two Goshen College Community School of the Arts (CSA) children’s choirs will perform as part of the Spring CSA Showcase Concert Sunday at 4 p.m. in Goshen College Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall.
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'Beloved Dearly' to be performed at Bethany Christian Middle School
Bethany Christian Middle School students will perform Doug Cooney's "The Beloved Dearly" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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GC graduate in concert Friday
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Flying high in Shipshe
Look at what’s going up. Look at what’s coming down — and then, perhaps, eat it.
Those are two of many entertainment options available Saturday in Shipshewana. -
Website: Glen Campbell to perform during fair
The Rhinestone Cowboy may be riding into Goshen.
The website hotlist.com reports that Glen Campbell will perform during the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Wednesday, July 25, at 7 p.m. -
'Zoo Zoo' to be performed at Goshen College
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Goshen College concerts announced
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GC Symphony Orchestra to perform Friday
The Goshen College Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Fashun, will present its spring concert in Goshen College Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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Kansas Bible Company in concert Friday
The band came later.
“We all met at Goshen College, just kind of as a group of friends,” Goshen native Jake Miller recalled. “And then we all kind of figured out we play music and enjoyed playing music together.” - More Entertainment Headlines
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