NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lady Antebellum and Jamey Johnson won the first two awards at the Country Music Association Awards on a night when Taylor Swift had a chance to become the youngest person to win entertainer of the year.

Lady Antebellum took the single of the year prize Wednesday for "I Run to You" and Johnson, along with James Otto and Lee Thomas Miller, won song of the year for "In Color."

"I never thought you guys would even let me come to things like this," the country bad boy with the scruffy beard said jokingly as the audience at Sommet Center laughed.


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The biggest question on the red carpet Wednesday evening was whether Taylor Swift — this year's top-selling music artist in all genres outside of Michael Jackson — can end Kenny Chesney's reign and become the first female solo artist to win the category since 1999.

"I think that you can't help but talk about Taylor Swift when you talk about modern country music," Otto said. "People talk about pop country or country pop. Whatever brings more fans to country music I'm all for."

Swift, who won video of the year for "Love Story" during the pre-telecast, vies with Zac Brown, George Strait and Jamey Johnson for four trophies. Brad Paisley is the leading nominee, up for the biggest awards of the evening, including entertainer, male vocalist and album of the year. He won event of the year for the duet "Start a Band" with Keith Urban, up for five awards.

While the entertainer of the year category has been fairly predictable the last five years with Chesney winning four out of five times, there seems to be plenty of chatter around Swift, who can also end Carrie Underwood's streak. Swift is competing with her for female vocalist of the year, an award that Underwood has won three straight years.


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While there seemed to be a groundswell of support for Swift, longtime watchers wonder whether she'll actually win entertainer of the year.

"Just watching the awards for so many years, I would be surprised if Taylor wins," Vince Gill said as he made his way up the red carpet with Daughtry. "I know people are probably speculating it's too early to win. But that's the beauty of having the ability to vote. You can't got wrong with any of them."

Underwood thinks it will be tough to win as she faces off with Swift, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride.

"I'd so be lying if I said, 'Oh, I don't care,'" Underwood said. "I'm competitive. Of course, I want to win. But I'll completely understand if I don't. I mean, they have Reba nominated. I mean, like, hello. I would be so happy if she kicked all our butts. That would be so awesome."



There are several other interesting races.

Brooks & Dunn, who earlier this year announced the end of their two-decade partnership, are nominated for vocal duo and musical event (with McEntire), for example.

And there will be plenty of attention on Darius Rucker, who will be looking to join Charley Pride as the only black performer to win male vocalist of the year. But he faces a who's who of country music — Paisley, Urban, Chesney and George Strait.

He is also up for new artist against the Zac Brown Band, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson and Jake Owen.

"I might have a chance at new artist just because I've had such a cool year," Rucker said. "But I think Zac is going to win — the Zac Brown Band. But I have zero chance in male vocalist. I would love to see what the odds are in Vegas of me winning male vocalist of the year."
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CHRIS TALBOTT,Associated Press Writer
AP Music Editor Nekesa Moody contributed to this report.

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