CMA Awards Pre-Telecast

Tonight's Country Music Association awards got off to a runaway start, quite literally, as Love and Theft, took the stage for the pre-telecast honors, then had to improvise with an a capella version of their hit, 'Runaway' while awaiting the arrival of some wayward envelopes containing the names of the winners.

Once the envelopes appeared, the winners for Musician, Music Video and Musical Event of the Year were announced.

Songwriting veteran Mac McAnally, whose work as a touring musician includes a spot in Jimmy Buffett's band, was named Musician of the Year, and expressed his thanks for "the only category you don't have to go on a diet to be part of."
Music Video of the Year honors went to Taylor Swift's 'Love Story,' with director Trey Fanjoy picking up the trophy and saying, "I want to thank my sweetheart, Eddie. I'm living my own love story.'

Musical Event of the Year went to 'Start a Band,' by Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, which had been initally overlooked by accident when the nominations were first announced.