Taylor Swift wins 2nd CMA entertainer award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A giddy Taylor Swift won her second entertainer of the year award and rising sibling act The Band Perry was the night's top winner as the Country Music Association Awards celebrated the young women of country music last night.

Swift was rewarded for an amazing year during which she brought country music to the Far East, scored hits all around the world and continued a run that's made her country music's hottest young star for several years. She's just the second woman to win the award twice -- the first in 2009.

"This is thanks to all the fans who filled the stadiums and arenas all over the world this year," she said. "I am so happy we had so many to play for this year. You have made my year."

But it was a melancholy song about dying young that ran hard against the tried-and-true country radio formula that had everyone's attention most of the night. "If I Die Young," a crossover success written by Kimberly Perry, won song and single of the year and her band, which includes her brothers Neil and Reid, picked up new artist of the year as well.

Jason Aldean's platinum-selling "My Kinda Party" won album of the year.

Lady Antebellum won vocal group of the year for the third straight time and Sugarland took its fifth straight vocal duo of the year award. And Blake Shelton and his wife, Miranda Lambert, repeated as male and female vocalists of the year.

Hank Williams Jr. stole the show on ABC's live telecast during the opening skit with hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who lampooned his recent troubles with ESPN. The network had dropped Williams' theme song from its "Monday Night Football" after he compared President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler. -- AP