Taking the Swift route to the top! Taylor scoops coveted gong in flowing oyster gown at Country Music Awards

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 8:04 AM on 10th November 2011

She was up against stiff competition for the most coveted award of the night.

But Taylor Swift appeared calm and collected as she took to the red carpet of the Country Music Awards in a flowing oyster coloured dress.

Her quiet confidence was rewarded later when she scooped the Entertainer award beating the likes of Jason Aldean Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban to the post.

Stepping into the spotlight: Taylor Swift arrives on the red carpet at the 45th annual Country Music Awards held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville tonight

Thank you! Taylor Swift looked delighted as she picked up the Entertainer of the Year Awards

As she accepted the honour, which she won in 2009, Miss Swift gushed: 'This is amazing.'
'I’m so happy right now this is to all the fans who filled up all the stadiums and the venues.'
Taylor then modestly thanked all the stars who had teamed up with her this year, she said she didn't want to miss anyone and preceded to read a huge list of stars, which she had written on her arm.

Modest: Taylor poses with her award while the names she had written on her arm for her speech are visible

She added: 'Thank you for coming out and playing to my fans.'
The 21-year-old didn't appear disappointed that she had only won one of the five awards she had been put up for.
Taylor had joined Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton with five nominations, but while Aldean and Shelton were awarded a trophy each, Paisley walked away empty handed.

Giving her some competition: LeAnn Rimes opted for a similarly-coloured dress and went for the demure approach too in her flowing gown

Ready for their close-ups: Taylor went for understated make-up, while LeAnn was a little more heavy handed

Performing: Taylor made a costume change as she took to the stage to sing and play guitar

The big winners of the night proved to be The Perry Band with the group winning three awards.

While Taylor might not have scooped up a collection of trophies that evening she had been rewarded with a standing ovation from nearly the entire crowd as she performed on stage.

As she took to the red carpet earlier in the evening Taylor oozes simple sophistication in her strapless chiffon number, complete with a flowing train by J, Mendel.

Be my date: Nominee Blake Shelton and wife Miranda Lambert and, right, actress Nicole Kidman with her singer husband Keith Urban

Sexy and strapless: Nicole donned a metallic dress which she teamed with a clutch bag

She wore her hair tied back in curls and a ponytail, opting for rather more subtle make-up than some of the other guests at the event, whom could have been accused of being a little heavy handed with the cosmetics.

LeAnn Rimes fell into this category with bright red lipstick and overdone eyes.

The singer, whose getup usually consists of hot pants and a sheer top, turned on the glamour in an tiered dress by Badgley Mischka, which boasted a ruffled train down the back.

Glittering: Co-host Carrie Underwood glittered in gold while, left, Jennifer Nettles from the band Sugarland also had some sparkle about her

Taking to the stage: Actor Eric Stonestreet, centre, joins hosts Brad Paisley and Underwood on stage to sing a song and present the award for Single of the Year

Glamour girls: Carrie stepped out in a number of different outfits including this pink sparkling ensemble to co-host with Miss Piggy

They both happily posed on the red carpet before making their way inside to country music's biggest event of the year.

On the red carpet, the genre-mixing was in high gear.

Lionel Richie was the star of the night, receiving excited hugs and informal tributes from stars like Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Miranda Lambert.

Shelton arrived with his wife and fellow nominee Lambert, who showed up in a stunning strapless silver sequined dress, before slipping away to prepare to open the show alongside Kenny Loggins.

Thank you's and guest stars: Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry accepts the Single Of The Year Award while British singer Natasha Bedingfield made an appearance on stage

Wardrobe changes and joking around: Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton poked fun at the height difference between Keith Urban and his wife Nicole before the singer took to the stage to perform

Richie was making his first appearance at the awards since 1986, and sang selections from his new country duets album with Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town.

Faith Hill debuted a new single while American Idol winner Scotty McCreery returned to to the stage.

Blake Shelton and Kenny Loggins opened an eclectic Country Music Association Awards with a high-energy version of Loggins' hit 'Footloose,' but Hank Williams Jr. stole the show.

Williams appeared during the opening skit Wednesday night with hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who lampooned his recent troubles with ESPN and his 'Monday Night Football' theme song.

Back home: Reese Witherspoon took to the stage to present the award for male vocalist and said she was happy to be home and with her 'family'

Living life to the full: Glen Campbell and his wife Kim at awards

Three-piece: From left, Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley of the group Lady Antebellum

Dressed to impress: Country music artist Reba McEntire wowed in a green velvet dress while Martina McBride went for slimming black

Paisley brought out an acoustic guitar and began his own version of 'All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.'

'Are you ready for an awards show ... This is rockin' Bradcephus,' Paisley sang before Underwood warned him he might draw Williams' ire.

As they spoke, Williams quietly walked up behind the hosts to the roar from the crowd. Asked if he wanted to say something, Williams said, 'No,' to the delight of the crowd.

Joking continued throughout the evening with fun poked at the height difference between Keith Urban and his wife Nicole, and Kim Kardashian's 72 marriage was also mocked.

Star of the show: Lionel Richie (centre) joins members of country music band Little Big Town

Lovely ladies: Kimberly Schlapman, left, and Karen Fairchild pose together and, right, The JaneDear Girls, Susie Brown and Danelle Leverett

The theme of the night quickly became country crossovers with Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson teaming to win musical event of the year on 'Don't You Want to Stay' and Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter winning video of the year for their steamy 'You and Tequila.'

The Band Perry won single of the year for their surprise breakthrough 'If I Die Young.'

Ahead of the awards Jason Aldean and Shelton spoke out about being new additions to the Entertainer of the Year category.

Nice escorts: Lynn Anderson arrived on the arms of two US Marines

'Every few years you kind of start to see a changeover of everything,' Aldean said. 'You start to see different people getting into categories they weren't before. It's like the changing of the guard a little bit.'

The two rising stars got to the ballot by taking very different paths, but they've both created a buzz around these awards and in the industry.

Aldean built his audience on the road, while Shelton capitalised on several high-profile events, including his role as a coach on 'The Voice,' to raise his profile beyond the traditional country music audience.

Both have had a string of hits, but with markedly different sounds. Shelton, the reigning CMA male vocalist of the year, is a mellow baritone with something of a traditionalist approach spiked by humor. Aldean cranks up the guitars and mines a newer sound.

Music mingling: Erin Andrews, Hilary Scott from Lady Antebellum and Jana Kramer looked stunning

Best foot forward: Deborah Allen Sandra Lee Shawna Thompson and Faith Hill

Best fashion foot forward: Deborah Allen Sandra Lee Shawna Thompson and Faith Hill

'I still think it's early,' Shelton said. 'I think the exposure I've had on 'The Voice' and hopefully the exposure I'm giving Nashville and country music in general is probably the reason why people in the industry said, 'Hey, you know what? Throw that guy in there.' I'm honored by that.'

Defending entertainer Paisley, who co-hosts the awards with Carrie Underwood says winning the award is just as cool as he imagined it would be as he patiently waited his turn.

'I really feel like there's only been 44 of those handed out, and to someone who really tries to entertain the people that spend the money on the tickets to a concert, it just felt like the award to win,' Paisley said.

'For so many years I wondered if I would get that. And, you know, in that sense it's one of the proudest things I've ever accomplished, being one of the names written on one of those plaques.'

Men of the music: Hunter Hayes, Scotty McCreery and Lionel Richie all looked dapper on the red carpet

Honorary member? Country Music Band Little Big Town arrive with singer Lionel Ritchie

2011 CMA Winners

Entertainer of the Year -Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year - The Band Perry
Female Vocalist of the Year - Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist of the Year - Blake Shelton
Vocal Group of the Year - Lady Antebellum
Vocal Duo of the Year- Sugarland
Album of the Year- My Kinda Party Jason Aldean
Single of the Year- If I Die Young The Band Perry
Song of the Year If I Die Young - Kimberly Perry
Musical Event of the Year - Don’t You Wanna Stay, Jason Aldean Feat. Kelly Clarkson
Music Video of the Year - You and Tequilla, Kenny Chesney Feat. Grace Potter
Musician of the Year - Mac McAnally – Guitar