New York City does not have a Country Music station, but that did not stop the Big Apple from hosting the 39th Annual CMA Awards for the first time ever on Tuesday, November 15th, 2005. The festivities took place at Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan rather than Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville had been the host the previous 38 years. Country Music stars were honored for their excellence in the studio and on stage. 3,000 miles away we were honoring "excellence" in rock 'n' roll at the Rolling Stones concert in San Francisco that same night. So, we were glad to get to TiVo "Country Music's Biggest Night" which aired on CBS. Four days later, I have finally had an opportunity to sit down, watch and report on this year's Country Music Association Awards.

Country's New King

Given the fact that Keith Urban won "Entertainer of the Year" it seemed fitting that the "urban cowboy" from Down Under was in Manhattan to receive this award and the CMA's award for Male Vocalist of The Year.

What a class act he was to bring his mom with him to the celebration.

On Monday, the CMA also presented their International Artist Achievement Award to Keith Urban during a reception at the Australian Consulate. Needless to say, God has been good to this Aussie. Urban is clearly living to love another day.

On Tuesday night, many stars were out, but only a few strolled down the red carpet, on stage or backstage at the CMAs, looking unpretentiously luxurious and soulful.

Those who get our best-dressed, most rugged elegant kudos of the evening include:

Best Dressed, Most Rugged Elegant Women at the 2005 CMAs

Faith Hill
Photo Credit: Scott Gries

Faith Hill epitomizes rugged elegance to us no matter where she is or what she is wearing. At the CMAs she looked brilliant in black lace.

2005 American Idol Winner, Carrie Underwood

Thank goodness American Idol Carrie Underwood left her jeans and sear-sucker red and white checkered top at home (unlike her concert this summer). At the CMAs Carrie looked the best we've ever seen her. Glamorous. Star-like.

Carrie, who did your hair?

Whomever it was, you should take them on tour with you.

November 2005 was a big month for Carrie Underwood. Many of the artists celebrated on Tuesday night have had the privilege of performing at Madison Square Garden. On the same day her first album was released she had the honor of performing in front of millions.

The 2005 American Idol also had the honor of presenting the award for Vocal Group of the year. She got to present it to her idols, Rascal Flats.

Prior to the presenting this award, Underwood came on stage to sing her hit single "Jesus Take The Wheel" from her debut album Some Hearts.

The album, which arrived at our doorstep on November 15th, has our seven and ten-year olds asking for the next season of American Idol to begin now -- not in January.

Note to TiVo: This would certainly be an alluring feature of your service.

One of the more "from the heart" comments of the night was made by CMA Single of the Year award-winner, Lee Ann Womack. She said:

You people out there. If you are listening to music that doesn't touch you, doesn't mean anything to you, tune into your country station because we have songs about your life. We have songs that you will love. We have songs that speak to your heart.

Best Dressed, Most Rugged Elegant Men at the 2005 CMAs

Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban looked like a "natural" winner.

Kenny Chesney's guitarist, dressed in black leather pants and a red & black shirt gets our kudos.

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley looked terrific in a casual t-shirt, white cowboy hat, and brown, textured leather jacket. Very rugged elegant!

The six-time CMA Award nominee, Brad performed at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

Shortly thereafter, Bill Anderson and Jon Randall who wrote Paisley and Alison Krauss' song "Whiskey Lullaby" received the CMA for Best Song of The Year.

Jon Randall Photo Credit: Mike Segar

Jon Randall wore a simple white shirt, a dark suit and a very broad smile upon receiving his CMA award.

Musik Mafia's Big and Rich lead singer, Big Kenny Alphin, wore jeans, a white shirt, a blue and gold scarf, and a blue, red and gold Sgt. Pepper's long tail jacket.

Richie Sambora & Jon Bon Jovi Photo Credit: Ed Rode

Jon Bon Jovi wore a black tux and looked "rugged elegantly" handsome, as always. His bandmate, Richie Sambora, wearing a burgundy velvet jacket and black hat, looked as much, if not more, like a rock star.

Willie Nelson wearing his signature long braids, a black denim shirt, black leather jacket and a black cowboy hat, will most always be on our list.

Willie and Norah Jones performed a brief rendition of Still Crazy After All These Years.

Dierks Bentley
Photo Credit: Scott Gries

Dierks Bentley came dressed casually but went home with an elegant Horizon CMA Award. Upon receiving his award, which he humbly accepted, he thanked God, Jesus and his truck driver "Mr. Superman" Ken Lyon for putting all the rubber to the asphalt.

Best Dressed, Most Rugged Elegant Couples at the 2005 CMAs

Joaquim & Reese aka Johnny & June Cash

Actress Reese Witherspoon co-presented the first award of the evening with fellow actor Joaquim Phoenix. Together, they play the role of Johnny and June Cash in the upcoming film, Walk The Line.

Witherspoon wore a black lace dress in New York. She said, "I grew up in Nashville, so getting to the CMAs means I have finally arrived."

Denise & Alan Jackson

Denise Jackson was at the CMAs to support her man, who was up for the "Entertainer of the Year" award, as well as "Male Vocalist of the Year". She looked radiant. He sounded radiant.

One of my favorite performances of the evening was Alan Jackson singing Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight".

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw
Photo Credit: Scott Gries

They are Country Music's First Couple.

Brad Paisley & His Wife Kimberly Williams Paisley
Photo Credit: Fashion Wire Daily's Grant Lamos IV

Stunning from head to toe, inside and outside!

They look like a couple you'd enjoy inviting over dinner.

Presenters Shania Twain & Billy Joel

Take one look at Billy Joel, no matter what he's wearing, and he exudes soulful rugged elegance.

Shania looked lovely in lilac and black lace.

Do you suppose they planned their attire? Regardless, it worked. She's a little bit country and he's a lot of rock 'n' roll and soul.

Shania Twain and Billy Joel presented Keith Urban with the coveted "Entertainer of The Year" award.

Co-host of the night Kix Brooks of Dunn & Brooks said to the audience, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."

Country music sales are reportedly off 10% from last year.

Perhaps if New York City gets a Country Music radio station the Big Apple can help create a turn-around in time for the 40th Annual CMA Awards.

After the CMA Awards show aired last November, the Billboard top 75 country albums chart had a 166% weekly increase, according to the Country Music Association.

And the musical awards go to:

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Gretchen Wilson

Her latest album called All Jacked Up was released on September 27th.

This year's other nominees were: Sara Evans, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride and Lee Ann Womack.

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Keith Urban

Urban was in the company of four other nominees. They included Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley and George Strait.

HORIZON AWARD

Dierks Bentley

Bentley beat out Big & Rich, Miranda Lambert, Julie Roberts and Sugarland.

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flats' competition was Alison Krauss + Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas, as well as Diamond Rio, Lonestar and Sugarland.

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn, co-hosts of the 2005 CMA Awards

Big & Rich, Montgomery Gentry, Van Zant and The Warren Brothers were the other contenders this year for Best Vocal Duo.

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

"I May Hate Myself In The Morning" -- Artist Lee Ann Womack
Produced by Byron Gallimore, MCA Nashville

This year's other nominated singles, the artist who performed the song and their producer included:

"Alcohol" - Brad Paisley; Produced by Frank Rogers; Arista Nashville
"As Good As I Once Was" - Toby Keith; Produced by James Stroud/Toby Keith; DreamWorks Records Nashville
"Baby Girl" - Sugarland; Produced by Garth Fundis; Mercury Records Nashville
"Bless the Broken Road" - Rascal Flatts; Produced by Mark Bright/Marty Williams/Rascal Flatts; Lyric Street Records

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Jerry Douglas - Dobro

Jerry Douglas played ever so slightly better than:

Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
Dann Huff - Electric Guitar
Brent Mason - Guitar/Electric Guitar
Randy Scruggs - Guitar/Mandolin

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

There's More Where That Came From -- Lee Ann Womack
Produced by Byron Gallimore/Greg Droman, MCA Nashville

Womack, her producer Byron Gallimore and Greg Droman and MCA Nashville took home the CMA award. This year's other nominees included:

Be Here - Keith Urban; Produced by Dann Huff/Keith Urban; Capitol Records Nashville

Feels Like Today - Rascal Flatts; Produced by Mark Bright/Marty Williams/Rascal Flatts; Lyric Street

Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw; Produced by Tim McGraw/Byron Gallimore/Darran Smith; Curb

Somewhere Down In Texas George Strait; Produced by Tony Brown/George Strait; MCA Nashville

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

"As Good As I Once Was" - Toby Keith
Directed by Michael Salomon

Keith and his director Michael Salomon shared the prize.

Other Music Video nominees were:

"Alcohol" - Brad Paisley; Directed by Jim Shea

"Days Go By"; Keith Urban - Directed by Wayne Isham

"I May Hate Myself In The Morning" - Lee Ann Womack; Directed by Trey Fanjoy

"When I Think About Cheatin'" - Gretchen Wilson; Directed by Robert Deaton/George J. Flanigen IV

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

George Strait (Duet with Lee Ann Womack)
"Good News, Bad News"
MCA Nashville

Congratulations to George Strait, Lee Ann Womack and MCA Nashville for winning. Congratulations to the nominees, as well. In this category, they included:

Willie Nelson with Lee Ann Womack; "I'll Never Be Free"; Lost Highway Records

Brad Paisley/Sara Evans; "New Again"; Wind Up Records

Shania Twain (with Billy Currington); "Party For Two"; Mercury Records Nashville

Jimmy Buffett with Martina McBride; "Trip Around The Sun"; RCA Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Bill Anderson/Jon Randall
Sony/ATV/Mr. Bubba Music/Reynsong/Wha Ya Say Music

The other nominees included:

"Alcohol" - Brad Paisley; EMI April/Sea Gayle Music

"As Good As I Once Was" - Toby Keith/Scotty Emerick; Tokeco Tunes/Sony/ATV Songs/Big Yellow Dog Music/Florida Cracker Music

"Bless The Broken Road" - Marcus Hummon/Bobby Boyd/Jeff Hanna; Careers-BMG Music/Floyd’s Dream Music/Jeff Diggs Music

"I May Hate Myself In The Morning"- Odie Blackmon; Cal IV Songs

"Redneck Woman" - Gretchen Wilson/John Rich; Sony/ATV Cross Keys/Hoosiermama Music/WB Music Corp

HALL OF FAME

Country superstar and comedian Vince (aka "Vinnie") Gill inducted the "most successful band in Country Music history" Alabama, "The Pride of Delight Arkansas" Mr. Glen Campbell and Country Music's first African American star, the late great four-foot-ten-inches tall, musical giant Deford Bailey into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Keith Urban

This year's other nominees included Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Brad Paisley. When Urban headed to the stage to receive his award Paisley hugged him, and Chesney gave him a huge hug and kiss on the cheek to congratulate him. The moment was an illustration of how classy "country" men can be.

Urban came to the stage and gave kudos first to "anybody who voted for this" and then to Kenny Chesney.

Keith said:

I've been out with Kenny this year and last year, and having the best time. So, I want to thank Kenny for being so good to us, and for teaching me so much about entertaining.

The look in Chesney's eyes was priceless.

Congratulations to all of the artists, directors and producers who won on Tuesday night. Congratulations, as well, to all the nominees this year, and those who supported getting them there.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "inviting Country Music onto your radio station, and in your home, car, truck and iPod" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC