Taylor Swift wins CMA entertainer of the year
Photo credit: Getty Images | Taylor Swift performs during the 43rd Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 11, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee.
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2009 Country Music Awards
Photos: Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Darius Rucker became the first black singer to win new artist of the year at the Country Music Association Awards, joining Charley Pride as the only African-American to win a major individual award, while Taylor Swift won two awards, including album of the year.
>>VIDEO: Click here to see Swift's reactions to winning her awards
Rucker, whose first country album, "Learn to Live," sold more than 1 million copies, took the stage last night to wild cheers from the crowd.
"First of all, to the fans, thank y'all for accepting me," the jubilant Rucker said. "And I think most importantly, to country radio, you took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, S.C. Thank you so much for that!"
Swift, who won the top prize of entertainer of the year, thanked the fans for their support of "Fearless," the top-selling album of the year. She also won video of the year for "Love Story."
"You guys, this album is my diary and so to all the people who voted for me for this, thank you for saying you love my diary because that's the nicest compliment," Swift told the audience.
>>PHOTOS: 2009 Country Music Awards
The biggest question Wednesday evening had been whether Swift could end Kenny Chesney's reign and become the first female solo artist to win entertainer of the year since 1999, when Shania Twain won.
The entertainer of the year category has been fairly predictable the past five years, with Chesney winning four out of five times.
>>VIDEO: Click here to see Country Stars Shine on CMA Red Carpet
But there was plenty of chatter around Swift, who ended Carrie Underwood's 3-year streak last night when she won female vocalist of the year.
>>PHOTOS: 2009 Country Music Awards
