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. Photographer: John Russell / CMA 11/12/2008 Provided by Country Music Association

George has managed a lengthy and consistent career in great part because of his belief in songs, and Kenny Chesney — who spent several years touring as an opening act on George’s stadium shows in the late 1990s — apparently learned those lessons.

Kenny tied a record by winning his fourth Entertainer of the Year award in the last five years. The only other act to claim Entertainer four times is Garth Brooks, and Kenny seems to have five in his sites.

"Come get me," he said backstage, offering a challenge to next year’s competition. "At some point — just ask Reba McEntire and ask George Strait and ask Garth and ask Alabama — sooner or later they’re gonna move on to something else, but to the other four acts that are nominated [in 2009], I’m not gonna lay down either."

Rascal Flatts tied the Statler Brothers in winning the Vocal Group award for the sixth year in a row. (The Statlers won nine over the course of their career, a mark that’s safe until at least 2011).

"You can’t dream that big," lead singer Gary LeVox said backstage.

Backstage, Flatts mentioned numerous acts — the Statlers, the Eagles, Restless Heart, Exile, Boyz II Men — all of which inspired their vocal harmony.

Brad Paisley wins Male Vocalist 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. Photographer: John Russell / CMA 11/12/2008 Provided by Country Music Association

The weight of history was on other minds as well. Two-time winner Brad Paisley, who co-hosted for the first time, said after the show it was "amazing to think about who’s done this before." The hosting ranks include Vince Gill and Brooks & Dunn in recent years, and Roy Rogers & Dale Evans in more historic times.

In perhaps the ultimate acknowledgement of modern country’s ties to history, however, Lady Antebellum claimed New Artist of the Year, an award that’s gone previously to such acts as Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Rascal Flatts and LeAnn Rimes.
All of those names "reminded me of how nostalgic this awards ceremony is," Lady A’s Hillary Davis noted backstage. "You think about how many people have stood here before you — [it’s] very humbling. We do not take this lightly at all."

Particularly Hillary, who has some history of her own. She attended previous CMA ceremonies with her mother, Linda Davis, who earned one trophy (though not on a night Hillary was in tow) for "Does He Love You," a duet with Reba McEntire.
"For her to have this crystal trophy on her shelf at home and me to be takin’ one home tonight," Hillary observed, "it’s crazy."