The 2012 CMA Awards winners all had a big year in their own way, and the Nov. 1 awards show is the perfect way to celebrate -- completed only by new metal statues for the mantle.

Folks like Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith accepted early honors on the biggest night in country music., while Little Big Town took home the first award during the official broadcast. But perhaps the biggest winner of the evening was Blake Shelton, who walked away with Male Vocalist of the Year and the coveted Entertainer of the Year award.

Of course, recurring hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood were there for all of the action — which airs live from Nashville annually -- though some may say they have the easy job. The hardest part of the CMAs is likely choosing winners from an endless list of country music talent.

2012 CMA Awards Winners:

Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton -- WINNER!
Taylor Swift

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert -- WINNER!
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton -- WINNER!
Keith Urban

Vocal Group of the Year

The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town -- WINNER!
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square -- WINNER!

New Artist of the Year

Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes -- WINNER!
Love and Theft
Thompson Square

Album of the Year

Luke Bryan, ‘Tailgates and Tanlines’
Eric Church, ‘Chief’ -- WINNER!
Miranda Lambert, ‘Four the Record’
Dierks Bentley, ‘Home’
Lady Antebellum, ‘Own the Night’

Song of the Year (Awarded to songwriters)

‘Even if It Breaks Your Heart,’ Will Hoge and Eric Paslay
‘God Gave Me You,’ Dave Barnes
‘Home,’ Dierks Bentley and Jon Randall Stewart
‘Over You,’ Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton -- WINNER!
‘Springsteen,’ Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell

Single of the Year

Jason Aldean, ‘Dirt Road Anthem’
Blake Shelton, ‘God Gave Me You’
Dierks Bentley, ‘Home’
Little Big Town, ‘Pontoon’ -- WINNER!
Eric Church, ‘Springsteen’

Musical Event of the Year

‘Dixie Highway,’ Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band
‘Feel Like a Rock Star,’ Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw -- WINNER!
‘Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,’ Willie Nelson featuring Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson
‘Safe and Sound,’ Taylor Swift featuring the Civil Wars
Stuck on You,’ Lionel Richie and Darius Rucker

Music Video of the Year

Eric Church, ‘Springsteen’
Kenny Chesney, ‘Come Over’
Miranda Lambert, ‘Over You’
Little Big Town, ‘Pontoon’
Toby Keith, ‘Red Solo Cup’ -- WINNER!

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