For the second year, Brad Paisley and Checotah native Carrie Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press photos)

The Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards took place Wednesday night at Nashville’s Sommet Center. It was a huge night for 19-year-old starlet Taylor Swift, who won four trophies, including entertainer of the year, to the outrage of many country purists and the delights of her legions of fans.

Although Oklahoma’s stars went home winless, they represented our state quite well, with several of them performing…

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

Country music star Taylor Swift was surprised backstage during the dress rehearsals for the 43rd Annual CMA Awards when Kix Brooks and former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn presented her with the 2009 CMA International Artist Achievement Award.

Brooks & Dunn, along with Dierks Bentley, were last year’s recipients of the award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of country music outside the United States.

“This is beautiful!” said Swift, according to a news release. ”Thank you so much! This is an awesome way…

Taylor Swift

Teen sensation Taylor Swift dominated Wednesday night’s CMA Awards, even as Oklahoma’s usually bright contingent of stars went home winless.

“I’ll never forget this moment because in this moment, everything I ever wanted has just happened to me,” a tearful Swift said as she accepted the top prize, entertainer of the year.

The country-pop singer-songwriter performed the show’s opening number, and she spent much of the night onstage, as the Country Music Association presented her with four trophies, for entertainer, female vocalist, album for “Fearless” and music video for “Love Story.”…

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

Here is the list of winners of tonight’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards. And if you’re not a Taylor Swift fan, you’re not going to like it, since the 19-year-old contemporary country star won four trophies, including female vocalist and entertainer of the year.

It was a rough night for Oklahoma stars: Even though Carrie Underwood co-hosted the show and several put on stellar performances, the Okies went home winless.

(Nominees with Oklahoma ties are marked with an asterisk)

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

George Strait

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST…

CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood

7 p.m.: As previously announced, 19-year-old singer-songwriter sensation Taylor Swift is starting off the show with her new surefire hit “Forever & Always.” The performance started out with an interview and then morphed into a pretty spectacular production. The teen start has skipped out on her usually sparkly, short dress for a sexier black pant-and-top ensemble, which makes her look older.

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

7:05: Overall, I would call Taylor’s performance a solid opener, but co-host Carrie Underwood’s first dress is a showstopper. She…

Oklahoma native Reba McEntire is nominated for two trophies at tonight’s CMA Awards. Follow along with my live-blog of the show starting at 7 p.m. here on BAM’s Blog. (Associated Press photo)

The 43rd Annual CMA Awards start at 7 p.m. on ABC. My live-blog begins at that time. Get ready by checking out the nominees list.

2009 CMA Awards nominees:

(Nominees with Oklahoma ties are marked with an asterisk)

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

George Strait

Taylor Swift

Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

*Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

*Reba McEntire

Taylor Swift

*Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Darius…

Taylor Swift at Tuesday night’s BMI Country Awards in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press photo)

Taylor Swift won her second straight song of the year award at Tuesday night’s BMI Country Awards.

Swift won for her song “Love Story” – and will compete for four more prizes, including entertainer of the year, at tonight’s CMA Awards.

Also honored at Tuesday’s BMI Awards were Bobby Pinson for songwriter of the year and Sony/ATV Music as publisher of the year, according to the Associated Press.

Kris Kristofferson, 73, was lauded as a BMI Icon. Oklahoma native Vince…

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley will co-host the CMA Awards tonight for the second straight year. (Associated Press photo)

From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.

Expect Oklahoma stars to shine bright tonight

Oklahoma’s constellation of country music stars will have the chance to shine tonight at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards.

Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert and Rascal Flatts are nominated for awards at the Country Music Association’s yearly industry honors. Several of the state’s stars also will perform on the awards show, which airs live from 7 to…

Brooks & Dunn (which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, left) and Reba McEntire are nominated for musical event of the year for their hit “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” As much as I love the song, am I allowed to cry when Brooks & Dunn part ways next year? (Associated Press photo)

The Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards air from 7 to 10 tonight on ABC. Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Vince Gill are among the Oklahomans who are nominated for awards or will…

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

The Country Music Association announced today that starlet Taylor Swift wil deliver the opening performance at Wednesday night’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards.

The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday on the ABC Television Network. Be sure to follow along with the show during my CMA Awards live-blog here at BAM’s Blog.

“Taylor is the perfect choice as the opening act for the 2009 CMA Awards,”…