This Is What the CMA Awards Looked Like 10 Years Ago

With The 53rd Annual CMA Awards quickly approaching, we’re throwing it back a decade to the 43rd Annual CMA Awards….

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 7, 2019

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3:44 pm

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Luke Bryan and Wife; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images, Taylor Swift; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images, Eric Church; Photo by Edward Dougherty/Getty Images for Capitol Records

With The 53rd Annual CMA Awards quickly approaching, we’re throwing it back a decade to the 43rd Annual CMA Awards.

Taking place at Nashville’s Sommet Center (now Bridgestone Arena) on November 11, the 2009 CMA Awards featured co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosting the show for the second consecutive year.

Taylor Swift was the star of the night, taking home several awards and performing twice during the live broadcast. This marked her first CMA Entertainer of the Year win (she went on to win the top honor again in 2011).

Other big winners of the night included Lady Antebellum, who won trophies for Single of the Year for “I Run To You” and Vocal Group of the Year. 2009 was Lady A’s first win in the category, dethroning Rascal Flatts’ long run as winners in the category.

Darius Rucker won his first and only CMA Award that night, while Brad Paisley was crowned Male Vocalist of the Year.

Here’s a look back at the 2009 CMA Awards in photos.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the show for the second time.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Luke Bryan and his wife Caroline looked as happy as ever.

Caroline Bryan and Luke Bryan; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Caroline Bryan and Luke Bryan; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Eric Church, who is nearly unrecognizable without his aviators, attended a CMA Awards after-party on crutches.

Eric Church; Photo by Edward Dougherty/Getty Images for Capitol Records
Eric Church; Photo by Edward Dougherty/Getty Images for Capitol Records

Taylor Swift won so many trophies, she could barely hold them all.

Taylor Swift; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Taylor Swift; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Sugarland was all smiles after being crowned CMA Vocal Duo of the Year.

Sugarland; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Sugarland; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

The members of Lady Antebellum looked like actual BABIES.

Lady Antebellum; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Lady Antebellum; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews shared the stage to perform “I’m Alive.”

Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill looked pretty much the same.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Darius Rucker had the best reaction to his Best New Artist win.

Darius Rucker; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Darius Rucker; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Kellie Pickler had dark hair.

Kellie Pickler; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Kellie Pickler; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Little Jimmy Dickens was still around to make us laugh. (May he rest in peace)

Brad Paisley, Little Jimmy Dickens and Carrie Underwood; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Brad Paisley, Little Jimmy Dickens and Carrie Underwood; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman gazed lovingly at each other just as they do to this day.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman; Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by superstar Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on ABC.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.