Tim McGraw Photo Courtesy of Curb Records

• "The 34th Annual CMA Awards," was the network's fourth best show of the week, helping CBS win its first season premier week since 1991. CBS estimated that 38 million viewers watched all or part of the broadcast.

• For the ninth consecutive year, Vince Gill hosted the show, which featured Lance Bass of 'N Sync appearing on stage with Sara Evans to present Tim McGraw with his second Male Vocalist of the Year Award; Montgomery Gentry performing alongside Charlie Daniels; and Brad Paisley won the Horizon Award.

• Montgomery Gentry ended Brooks & Dunn's eight-year winning streak when they captured Vocal Duo of the Year honors.

• Charley Pride and Faron Young were named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• The Dixie Chicks took home the Entertainer of the Year Award, as well as Awards for Music Video, Vocal Group and Album of the Year for Fly.

Keith Urban Photo Courtesy of Capitol Nashville

• The CMA Awards moved to the more competitive November sweeps time period and attracted 1.2 million more viewers than the previous year.

• The soundtrack to the hit movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? was the big winner of the night, taking home Album of the Year as well as Single of the Year for "I am A Man of Constant Sorrow."

• Vince Gill returned to host for the 10th consecutive year. The show featured superstar Garth Brooks performing alongside Country legend George Jones and Willie Nelson singing with Sheryl Crow.

• To coincide with the opening of the state-of-the-art Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville, 10 special inductees and two regular inductees were named to the prestigious Hall: Bill Anderson, The Delmore Brothers (Alton Delmore, Rabon Delmore), The Everly Brothers (Don Everly, Phil Everly), Don Gibson, Homer and Jethro (Henry "Homer"
Haynes, Kenneth "Jethro" Burns), Waylon Jennings, The Jordonaires (Hoyt Hawkins, Neal Matthews, Jr., Gordon Stoker, Ray Walker), Don Law, The Louvin Brothers (Charlie Louvin, Ira Louvin), Ken Nelson, Sam Phillips and Webb Pierce.

• Patriotism and tribute were prominent themes of the evening. Brooks & Dunn opened the show with "Only In America;" Diamond Rio paid tribute to the heroes of September 11th with their song, "One More Day;" Alan Jackson performed "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" for the first time; and a chorus of Country Music's brightest stars closed the show with "America the Beautiful."

• Tim McGraw was named Entertainer of the Year; Toby Keith won Male Vocalist of the Year; Lee Ann Womack won Female Vocalist; and the Horizon Award went to Keith Urban. All were first-time winners in their respective categories.

2002

• "The 36th Annual CMA Awards" continued its ratings win in its November sweeps time slot. An estimated 38 million viewers tuned in for all or part of the broadcast, which featured a record 26 musical performances. Vince Gill hosted for an unprecedented 11th year.

• Shania Twain opened the show, riding onto the Grand Ole Opry House stage on a motorcycle to launch her single "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!" The performance marked Twain's first television performance in three years.

• Backed by the Christ Church Choir of Nashville, Dolly Parton turned in a show-stopping performance of "Hello God." Faith Hill received a standing ovation for "When The Lights Go Down." Toby Keith brought the house down with the rambunctious "Who's Your Daddy." Travis Tritt paid tribute to the late Waylon Jennings with "You Can't Count Me Out Yet."

• Alan Jackson made history when he was nominated for 10 Awards, breaking Merle Haggard's 1970 record of nine. Jackson also became one of three artists to win five Awards in a single night when he won Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album of the Year for Drive; and Single and Song of the Year for "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)."

• Porter Wagoner and "Jumpin'" Bill Carlisle were inducted into the County Music Hall of Fame.

• Martina McBride won her second Female Vocalist trophy, the Dixie Chicks reclaimed the Vocal Group Award and Rascal Flatts won the Horizon Award.

Vince Gill Photo Courtesy of MCA Records

• The November sweep broadcast of "The 37th Annual CMA Awards" became the highest rated CMA Awards broadcast since 1996, delivering more than 40 million viewers, winning the night and becoming the third most watched program of the week, the show's highest ranking since 1992.

• Vocal collaborations highlighted the evening. Female Vocalist nominee Dolly Parton enlisted multi-Platinum GRAMMY winner Norah Jones for "The Grass Is Blue," a song Jones performed on Just Because I'm A Woman: The Songs of Dolly Parton tribute album. Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett teamed for "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" before walking away with the Vocal Event of the Year trophy, Buffett's first music award in his legendary career. Twelve-time CMA host Vince Gill performed "Young Man's Town," with background vocals from his daughter Jenny Gill.

• A heartwarming tribute to the late Johnny Cash featured performances by Sheryl Crow and Travis Tritt, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Hank Williams Jr. on classic Cash tunes like "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "Jackson" and "Ring of Fire."

• Martina McBride picked up her third Female Vocalist of the Year trophy.

• Alan Jackson repeated wins in the Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year categories; Rascal Flatts earned their first Vocal Group Award; Joe Nichols won the Horizon Award; and Johnny Cash was honored posthumously with three Awards – Single and Music Video for "Hurt;" and Album for American IV: The Man Comes Around.

• Floyd Cramer and Carl Smith are inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Brad Paisley Photo Courtesy of Arista Records

• The 38th Annual CMA Awards gave CBS its most watched and highest rated Tuesday in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 since November 2001, according to national Nielsen ratings. THE 38th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS, posted an 11.5/18 with 18.46m viewers, 7.3/17 in adults 25-54, 5.9/15 in adults 18-49 and 4.3/12 in adults 18-34. CBS was first in households, viewers and key demos from 8:00-11:00PM. CBS won every half-hour in households, viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25 54. More than 37 million viewers watched all or part of the 38th Annual CMA Awards.

• Kenny Chesney picked up his first two CMA Awards, receiving Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year for When the Sun Goes Down.

• Kicking off the three-hour broadcast, Tim McGraw performed "How Bad Do You Want It?" He then won the CMA Award Single of the Year for his No. 1 hit "Live Like You Were Dying." The single also nabbed the Song of the Year Award for songwriters Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman.

• Hosts Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn picked up their 12th Vocal Duo of the Year Award.

• Shania Twain performed her hit, "Party for Two" with duet partner Billy Currington. Other collaborations during the broadcast included Alan Jackson with Patty Loveless performing "Monday Morning Church;" Toby Keith and his daughter Krystal on "Mockingbird"; and Jimmy Buffett with "parrotheads" Clint Black, Chesney, Jackson, Keith and George Strait.

• Martina McBride received her fourth Female Vocalist of the Year Award. This feat ties her with Reba for the most wins in this category.

• Keith Urban picked up his first Male Vocalist of the Year Award, while Rascal Flatts earned their second consecutive Vocal Group of the Year Award. Gretchen Wilson received the Horizon Award, her first CMA Award.

• "Whiskey Lullaby" picked up two CMA Awards for Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, who performed the hit during the broadcast. The song won the Musical Event and Music Video of the Year Awards.

Gretchen Wilson Photo Courtesy of Sony Music Nashville

• "Country Music's Biggest Night™" took a trip outside of Nashville for the first time in history. The gala event, hosted for the second time by duo Brooks & Dunn, was broadcast live on CBS Television from Madison Square Garden in New York City. A week of events, dubbed "Country Takes NYC," led up to the Nov. 15 broadcast with special theme days that featured
artist and songwriter concerts; a "Broadway Meets Country" event; art gallery openings; sport events; and more.
2005

• "The 39th Annual CMA Awards" took a bite out of the Big Apple and the competition, giving the CBS Television network a nightly win in viewers and key demographics. The CMA Awards was first in households (11.1/17), viewers (17.73m), adults 18-49 (5.4/13) and adults 25-54 (6.7/15). "The 39th Annual CMA Awards" was Tuesday's No. 1 program in households,
viewers and adults 25-54. CBS Research estimates more than 36 million viewers watched all or part of the ceremony. CBS posted season high Tuesday deliveries in viewers and key demographics with the Network's best Tuesday ratings in adults 18-49 since May 10, 2005 and its best Tuesday performance in viewers and adults 25-54 since Nov. 9, 2004 (also the CMA Awards).

• Lee Ann Womack and Keith Urban were the big winners at the 2005 CMA Awards. Womack won Single, Album and Musical Event of the Year honors and Urban received his first Entertainer of the Year trophy and his second consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year Award. Gretchen Wilson won her first Female Vocalist of the Year Award and Dierks Bentley took home the Horizon Award. During the broadcast, Alabama, the late DeFord Bailey and Glen Campbell were formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• Performance highlights included duets by Dolly Parton and Elton John; Willie Nelson and Paul Simon (accompanied by Norah Jones); and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland and Bon Jovi. Superstar Garth Brooks came out of retirement to perform "Good Ride Cowboy," his tribute to the late Chris LeDoux, live in Times Square. LeDoux posthumously received the CMA
Chairman's Award of Merit. CMA Board Chairman Kix Brooks presented the Award to two of LeDoux's children backstage.

2006

Music City threw its arms wide open to welcome back "Country Music’s Biggest Night™" when "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" broadcast live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Downtown Nashville on the ABC Television Network. Brooks & Dunn hosted the event for the third consecutive year.

• The evening’s hosts, Brooks & Dunn took home the crown for most wins, including Music Video and Single of the Year for "Believe," and their unprecedented fourteenth Vocal Duo of the Year Award. These three Awards bring Brooks & Dunn’s overall CMA Awards tally to 19, giving them the record for most CMA Award wins of any artist.

• "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" was first in households (9.9/15), total viewers (16.0 million) and adults 18-49 (5.4/13). ABC’s telecast of the Awards show generated the net’s largest audience and highest adults 8-49 performance since May 2006. An estimated 32.3 million viewers watched at least some portion of "The 40th Annual CMA Awards."

Taylor Swift wins Horizon Award at "The 41st Annual CMA Awards," on Wednesday, Nov. 7, live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on the ABC Television Network. Photographer: John Russell / CMA.

• The 41st Annual CMA Awards were settled back in Nashville for their second year at the newly re-named Sommet Center. The live November 7 ABC television network broadcast featured James Denton, Sara Evans, LeAnn Rimes, Kate Walsh and Kimberly William-Paisley sharing segment hosting duties.

• The 2007 CMA Awards ranked behind only the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards during the 2007-2008 season for award shows among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. With "The 41st Annual CMA Awards," ABC won Wednesday evening in both Total Viewers (16.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.4/1 4).

• Kenny Chesney took home his third consecutive Entertainer of the Year Award as well as his first Award in the Musical Event of the Year category, sharing the honor with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw for "Find Out Who Your Friends Are." Carrie Underwood won her second consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year Award and added a Single of the Year Award for smash hit "Before He Cheats," produced by Mark Bright, while Rascal Flatts took home their fifth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year Award.

• Highlights of the evening included several emotional moments. Breaking a six consecutive year win streak by Brooks & Dunn, a stunned Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland accepted their first Vocal Duo of the Year Award by paying tribute to those that came before. "If we're standing up here and we have this lofty view, it's because we're standing on the shoulders of giants, those people who have come before us," said Nettles.

• Nominated seven times for Male Vocalist of the Year, Brad Paisley finally won his first Award in the category. "I can’t tell you what this means to me," Paisley said. "I have always wanted to win this award once. This will do."

• Seventeen-year-old Taylor Swift performed "Our Song" before winning her first CMA Award, the coveted Horizon Award. "I can’t even believe that this is real," the high school senior said. "I want to thank God and my family for moving to Nashville so I could do this. The fans – you have changed my life. This is definitely the highlight of my senior year!"

Kenny Chesney wins Entertainer of the Year at "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards," on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on the ABC Television Network. Photo courtesy of the Country Music Association.

• "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" aired live on Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn.

• Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood co-hosted the gala event live on the ABC Television Network from the Sommet Center in Downtown Nashville. Paisley picked up his second Male Vocalist and fourth Music Video of the Year Award for "Waitin' on a Woman," featuring legendary actor Andy Griffith and directed by Jim Shea and Peter Tilden. Underwood nabbed her third consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year Award.

• George Strait’s mantle got a little more crowded as he became the artist with the most CMA Awards in history, adding Single of the Year for "I Saw God Today" and Album of the Year for Troubadour, both co-produced by Strait and Tony Brown, to his tally. With these two trophies and two additional for producing, Strait’s 22 CMA Awards trophies eclipse Brooks & Dunn’s previous record of 19 Awards.

• Kenny Chesney picked up his fourth Entertainer of the Year Award, tying Garth Brooks’ record for the most wins in the category.

• With their win for Vocal Group of the Year, Rascal Flatts tied The Statler Brothers for most consecutive wins in the category with six. The Statlers still hold the record for most total wins for Vocal Group with nine.

• In the pre-telecast ceremony, CMA Awards were given to two first-time winners - Mac McAnally for Musician of the Year and Robert Plant, who won the Musical Event of the Year Award with Alison Krauss for "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)."