Carrie Underwood wins three at CMT Music Awards
By Melissa Gentry

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 4/17/07 — Former “American Idol” princess Carrie Underwood took home the gold at the 2007 CMT Music Awards with three awards including video of the year.

Her woman empowering hit song “Before He Cheats” netted honors for female video and overall video of the year and also provided a video director of the year nod for Roman White. Underwood was presented awards in all three categories.

“I’ve had such an amazing, blessed two years. I started out on a fan-based show, and you guys have continued to support me throughout everything,” said the songstress in her acceptance speech. “It was at the CMT Awards last year that I gave my very first acceptance speech ever,” Let me tell you, it’s great to be up here again.”

Effusive country star Taylor Swift took her mom as her date to the awards and proudly let everyone know, “My mom’s my date tonight.” She also made a shout out to her “MySpace” fans, “But this is for my MySpace people and everybody who voted. Y’all, I’m going out on tour with Brad Paisley and this is coming with me to every single [autograph] signing line so you can get a picture of the award you won for me. Thank you so much.”

Other winners at the fan-voted awards show included Kenny Chesney, Jack Ingram, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Sugarland. Performances during the show included Dierks Bentley’s “Long Trip Alone,” Toby Keith’s “High Maintenance Woman,” Martina McBride’s “Anyway,” Chesney’s “Summertime,” Sugarland’s “Stay” and Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.”

The Country Music Television’s 2007 CMT Music Awards was hosted by the famous comedian known for his “Red-Neck” jokes, Jeff Foxworthy and took place at The Curb Event Center on the campus of Nashville’s Belmont University.