The biggest upset of the night during the 44th CMA Awards was NOT Blake Shelton’s win over Brad Paisley and the other male vocalist categories but the fact that the CMA voters didn’t go for the ‘nostalgic thank-you’ vote by choosing Brooks & Dunn as the Vocal Duo of the Year and instead chose the duo with the most success last year, which was Sugarland.   In fact, this is the only category that we didn’t correctly prognosticate earlier this week.  I was so certain that Brooks & Dunn would be chosen that I didn’t really even consider any of the other alternatives.  As for Blake Shelton’s win, I figured being tied to Miranda was sure to help his chances of snagging the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year and while “Hillbilly Bone” and “All About Tonight” aren’t the vocal showcases some of his other songs are, Shelton is certainly capable of vocalizing a song as good as anyone. 

As for the rest of the awards the winners it was pretty much as expected with song of the year going to “The House That Built Me” for fantastic songwriting while Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” took home the single of the year award.  The Best New Artist award went to the Zac Brown Band in their second year in the category (and last as an Entertainer of the Year nominee).  Lady Antebellum beat the ZBB out to win the Vocal Group of the Year while Miranda Lambert took home the Female vocalist of the year award and then also grabbed the Video of the Year award for “The House That Built Me” and the Album of the Year award for Revolution.  The vocal event went to Miranda’s fiancée for his duet “Hillbilly Bone” with Trace Adkins. 

Brad Paisley, who co-hosted with Carrie Underwood, finally took home the Entertainer of the Year award and was visibly shaken at winning the highest honor of the night.

Complete Winner’s List:

Entertainer of the Year – Brad Paisley

Female Vocalist – Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist – Blake Shelton

Vocal Group – Lady Antebellum

Duo of the Year – Sugarland

New Artist – Zac Brown Band

Single – “Need You Now”  - Lady Antebellum

Song – “House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert

Video – “House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event – “Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton/Miranda Lambert

Album of the Year – “Revolution” – Miranda Lambert

Musician – Mac McAnally