"Thank you Tony Brown for producing this album, all the great songwriters and musicians who wrote great songs and played their hearts out. I love this album," Strait said upon accepting the trophy for 'Troubadour.' "Everybody says they've got the greatest fans. Well, I've really got the greatest fans. Thank you so much!"
With Strait's two wins, he now holds the record for the most CMA wins by any artist in history, with 22 total CMA trophies.
Paisley, the night's co-host with Carrie Underwood, takes home Male Vocalist for the second year in a row. He also won the honors of Music Video of the Year for 'Waitin' on a Woman,' the heartwarming video co-starring legendary actor Andy Griffith.
"He was actually at the birth of the CMAs," Paisley told reporters backstage, explaining that Griffith attended the very first CMA Awards show. "I can't wait to call him!"
Sugarland takes home Vocal Duo of the Year, and lead singer Jennifer Nettles scored the CMA Song of the Year for their huge hit that she wrote, 'Stay.'
Kenny Chesney takes home the night's biggest award, Entertainer of the Year, for a fourth time in a row. That tiesGarth Brooks' record for the most Entertainer wins. See the full list of winners and nominees below.
CMA Awards Red Carpet
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Singer Shania Twain attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shania Twain
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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Singer Shania Twain attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shania Twain
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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Diana DeGarmo attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Diana DeGarmo
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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Musician Taylor Swift attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Swift
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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Musician Taylor Swift attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Swift
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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Singer Big Kenny attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Big Kenny
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Big Kenny arrives with his wife Christiev Carothers at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
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Luke Bryan arrives at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
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Actress Kimberly Williams arrives at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
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Actress Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
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2008 CMA Award Winners
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney - WINNER
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley - WINNER
George Strait
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood -- WINNER
Vocal Group of the Year
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts - WINNER
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks and Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland - WINNER
The Wreckers
New Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum - WINNER
James Otto
Kellie Pickler
Album of the Year
'Carnival Ride' - Carrie Underwood
'Cowboy Town' - Brooks and Dunn
'Good Time' - Alan Jackson
'Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates' - Kenny Chesney
'Troubadour' - George Strait - WINNER
Single of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer)
'Don't Blink' - Kenny Chesney
'Gunpowder and Lead' - Miranda Lambert
'I Saw God Today' - George Strait - WINNER
'Stay' - Sugarland
'You're Gonna Miss This' - Trace Adkins
Song of the Year (Award goes to songwriter)
'Good Time' - Alan Jackson
'I Saw God Today' - George Strait, written by Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby
'Letter to Me' - Brad Paisley
'Stay' - Sugarland, written by Jennifer Nettles - WINNER
'You're Gonna Miss This' - Trace Adkins, written by Lee Thomas Miller and Ashley Gorley
Musical Event of the Year
'Another Try' - Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
'Every Other Weekend' - Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney
'Gone, Gone, Gone' - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - WINNER
'Life in a Northern Town' - Sugarland, featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
'Shiftwork' - Kenny Chesney and George Strait
Music Video of the Year
'Don't Blink' - Kenny Chesney, directed by Shaun Silva
'Good Time' - Alan Jackson, directed by Trey Fanjoy
'Stay' - Sugarland, directed by Shaun Silva
'Waitin' on a Woman' - Brad Paisley, directed by Jim Shea- WINNER
'You're Gonna Miss This' - Trace Adkins, directed by Peter Zavadil
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally - WINNER
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
jerrywclarkat 11-13-2008
the only think that stinks i thing is the so called country singers, the eagles,kid rock,a couple others give me a break,modern day rock that is called country,what's this world coming too,or what ever it's called. BUT IT'S NOT COUNTRY,WAKE UP CMA.
Jerry
bill3739at 11-13-2008
I only want to say, young generation singers should take a look at CLASSY George Strait. Now, that's the way to dress for an awards show, not in some torn damn jeans looking like a tramp. How sad!!Someone also should have told Kellie Pickler she showed how she was raised by the dress she wore. Not country music anymore.
Katieat 11-13-2008
i think everybody looked great. everybopdy needs to stop hating on country music. it what america runs on. its the only real music
AZGRL0114at 11-13-2008
Not everyone was dressed to the TENS, but most of these guys/gals who have been out there singing and creating for years in their Jeans and Shirts Dont have to dress up! It just wouldnt be them-- Jeans and a nice Jacket is about as Dressed up as some of these Country Boys and Gals get...
lucyzapicoat 1-17-2009
I am a big fan of GeorgeStrait? i think he is an amazing country singer and if you guys can help me find posters of GeorgeStrait that will be awsome.
GeorgeStrait is the king of Country. i love you GeorgeaStrait and i love ur music.