Hot young stars, Aldean, Swift, Underwood and Lady A lead star-studded CMT Music Awards

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Hot young stars lead the way at CMT Music Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lady Antebellum continued its scorching run on the awards circuit, kicking off the CMT Music Awards on Wednesday night by winning group video of the year for the crossover hit “Need You Now.”

“Tonight’s all about the fans,” Dave Haywood said after receiving the belt buckle given to winners. “Thank you fans!”

Lady A was one of four hot young acts who led all nominees with three apiece on the fan-voted awards show. Also nominated for three awards were Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean.

Ten others are nominated for two awards apiece with fans making all the decisions. A field of 10 video of the year nominees was whittled down at the start of the show with “Need You Now,” Toby Keith’s “American Ride,” Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar,” Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova” making the cut. The night’s winner will be determined by fan texts during the show.

The CMT Music Awards usually skew lighthearted and with the rowdy Kid Rock hosting, things quickly got interesting.

The good times started immediately when he was joined on stage by surprise guest Hank Williams Jr., who rarely attends awards shows, Trace Adkins, Zac Brown, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Martina McBride and Kellie Pickler for a medley of “Cowboy,” ”Bawitdaba” and “Good Ol’ Boys.”

Kid Rock called Williams, “My rockin’ rebel father Bocephus,” before saying: “Does anybody realize how hard it is to get Bocephus out of the house? I don’t think you understand this. The party has just begun.”

Taylor Swift took the stage with Faith Hill and said, “Now that’s how you start an awards show.”

Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Underwood, Lambert, Lady A, Zac Brown Band and many others were scheduled to perform.

Fans lined up outside Bridgestone Arena to watch most of country music’s biggest stars walk the red carpet. It was an eclectic mix with NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews and the cast of “Jersey Shore” joining a lineup of artists that included most of the nominees.

Some interacted with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Miranda Lambert, wearing a shiny sequined dress she compared to a “walking disco ball,” drew some of the night’s loudest cheers when she showed up with fiance Blake Shelton.

“There’s no energy like this at any other awards show,” said Shelton, who’s nominated with Trace Adkins in the collaborative video of the year award for “Hillbilly Bone.”

Online: www.cmt.com