Country stars react backstage to their CMA wins

(7 Nov 2013) GEORGE STRAIT, TAYLOR SWIFT, OTHERS TALK ABOUT CMA WINS Country music's past, present and future stars were honored on Wednesday (6 NOV.) at the 47th annual Country Music Association Awards, held in Nashville, Tenn. Big winners included longtime favorite George Strait, musical heavyweights like Taylor Swift and Blake Shelton and newcomers, such as Kacey Musgraves and Florida Georgia Line. Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert were repeat winners for their respective categories of male and female vocalist of the year for the fourth time. "I never know what the thing is that makes it your year or not your year," Shelton told reporters backstage following the show. I think our thing, we're starting to feel like the people at the party that just never passes it around. You know what I am saying? There's just so many artists in there in the male and female category." Strait won his third entertainer of the year award and his first since 1990. He's currently on his farewell tour, The Cowboy Rides Away tour, but the top prize made him rethink that tour. Like I have said before, I am not totally quitting, I'm just slowing down a little bit. But, I don't know, this gets me fired up again. Cowboy might be riding back in," he said. Kenny Rogers was also honored with a lifetime achievement award, along with performances by Darius Rucker and Jennifer Nettles. "I have never sung with her before," Rogers said of Nettles. "And what a talent she is. I am looking for a song for us to do a duet on. Even if she doesn't do it, I am going to find a song." Taylor Swift was surprised with a star-studded welcoming group for her Pinnacle Award, which is given to an artist who has taken country to a worldwide audience. "Then you have the ultimate surprise, which was my former bosses who all took me under their wing and took me out on tour with them as an opening act," Swift said. "All of them walking out on stage together and standing there. I'll never forget walking up and seeing them all standing there." Lambert was equally surprised by her consecutive wins for female vocalist of the year, which now ties her with Reba McEntire in that category. "You know, I just keep waiting for it to be over and it's not over and I am so thankful," Lambert said. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...