Wilson, 'Whiskey' Top CMT Awards

04/12/2005 4:08 PM, Reuters
Phyllis Stark

Gretchen Wilson emerged as a big winner at the 2005 CMT Music Awards, taking home two of the nine fan-voted awards -- breakthrough video of the year for her debut clip, "Redneck Woman," and best female video for "When I Think About Cheatin'."

"I want to say thank you again to the fans for believing in me and for making this one of the most incredible years of my life," Wilson said as she accepted the second prize on Monday night at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center.

"Thank you, Miss Reba McEntire for being an incredible inspiration to me, and also Martina McBride. I can't even believe I'm in the same category with these ladies, but thank you so much for this. It means the world to me."

Wilson also performed during the show, teaming up with Ann and Nancy Wilson) of veteran rock act Heart to perform the latter's "Crazy on You."

Just one video, "Whiskey Lullaby," won two awards. That clip earned its performers, Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, one of CMT's distinctive belt-buckle style trophies for collaborative video of the year. Rick Schroder ("NYPD Blue"), who directed and starred in the clip, won the video director trophy.

"Thank you, Rick Schroder for the best dang video you could have ever done," Paisley said in accepting his award. Remarking on his absent collaborator, he said of Krauss, "If I ever get to heaven and the angels sound anything less than her, I'm going to be very disappointed. That's the best singer I can imagine singing with."

Keith Urban won the evening's top prize, video of the year, for "Days Go By." Kenny Chesney took the male video honor for "I Go Back."

Rascal Flatts won the duo/group video award for "Feels Like Today" and Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" was named most inspiring video of the year, although neither were on hand to accept. Toby Keith's "Whiskey Girl" won in the hottest video category.

Loretta Lynn was honored with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award during the ceremony, which was telecast live on CMT and hosted by Jeff Foxworthy).

Lynn was lauded on stage by McEntire, McBride and Wilson, and on tape by Wynonna, Faith Hill, Elvis Costello) and others.

The evening's other performers included Chesney, McEntire, Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, Urban, Keith, Paisley and Big & Rich. And following a long absence from the country music scene, Trisha Yearwood made a surprise appearance performing her upcoming single, "Georgia Rain."

Reuters/Billboard