Miranda Lambert Wins CMA Female Vocalist of the Year

Miranda Lambert claimed her first CMA trophy for Female Vocalist of the Year, and offered one of the emotional high points of the evening. Reaching the stage, Miranda, who had just performed 'Coal Miner's Daughter' with Sheryl Crow, in tribute to iconic entertainer Loretta Lynn, threw her arms around Loretta, who presented the award, saying, "I don't know what's going on! I just told Blake [Shelton, her fiancé, who had just been named Male Vocalist of the Year], 'I think we need to go to church!'

"The woman that paved the way for all females ever in country music is standing beside me handing me this award," Miranda continued. "I'm proud that I can now call her a friend," she said of Loretta who planted a kiss on her cheek as the birthday girl, who turned 27 today, was moved to tears. "Thank you so much for everything you've done."

Thank you to Reba [McEntire] (who was also seen holding back tears)," Miranda continued. "I'm gonna keep going for the other women in this industry, I promise. Thank you so much. I really, really appreciate it."

By the way, the last (and only other) romantically-linked couple to win Male and Female Vocalist in the same year? Husband-and-wife Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in 2000.