Blake Shelton wins CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year, Cue Tears (Photos)

Miranda Lambert 46th Annual CMA Awards Inside Bridgestone Arena In Nashville Tennessee

Blake Shelton won his first CMA Entertainer of the Year Award in a ceremony in Nashville on Thursday evening (November 1, 2012). It capped a successful night for the Shelton family, with wife Miranda Lambert scooping the award for female vocalist of the year (Blake won best male).

Kellie Pickler 46th Annual CMA Awards Inside Bridgestone Arena In Nashville Tennessee

Lambert openly wept on-stage as her husband recounted how his late father Dick spurred the couple to write a song about the loss of Blake's brother Richie - they subsequently performed the track, 'Over You', for the CMA audience. Shelton and Lambert weren't the only couple with big wins as Little Big Town, a quartet including Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook, took home vocal group and single of the year for Pontoon. "Y'all, this has been a 13-year journey", said Fairchild, "We're living proof that if you work really hard and chase your dream, all the good stuff happens and it follows you. Nashville, you made us your band. Thank you for letting us do this." The Country Music Awards failed to stick to the script this year, with Hunter Hayes winning the new artist award, while Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw won musical event of the year for Party Like a Rock Star. Toby Keith won video of the year for Red Solo Cup.

Picture Right: Taylor Swift 46th Annual CMA Awards Inside Bridgestone Arena In Nashville Tennessee, USA - Picture Left: Carrie Underwood 46th Annual CMA Awards Inside Bridgestone Arena In Nashville Tennessee

It was a star-studded night at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena for the celebration with Taylor Swift on-hand to perform new single Begin Again. McGraw debuted single One of the Those Nights, while Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum and Keith Urban were also in attendance.