Taste of Country

Rising country star Luke Bryan got the crowd on its feet at tonight's 2012 CMA Awards with a rousing performance of his current single, 'Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.'

Upon hearing his name read as Album of the Year winner at the 2012 CMA Awards on Thursday night (Nov. 1), Eric Church stood up, looked around, gave his wife a big hug and tried to figure out where to go. After all, his win for 'Chief' is his first-ever CMA after seven long years trying to figure out where he fit in.

After snagging the Single of the Year Award for 'Pontoon' at the 2012 CMA Awards, Little Big Town put on a groovy performance of the hit song. Let the motor boatin' jokes continue!

Blake Shelton's touching tribute to his late brother became a 2012 CMA Award winner when 'Over You,' sung by his wife Miranda Lambert, captured the trophy for Song of the Year, which goes to the songwriters. Lambert broke down in tears as her husband spoke about his brother while accepting the award.

Fast-rising country star Eric Church gave the crowd a double dose of both blue collar soul and wistfulness with a top-notch performance of 'Springsteen' at the 2012 CMA Awards. The song is also nominated in three categories in tonight's awards.

Eli Young Band took the stage at the 2012 CMA Awards to perform 'Even if It Breaks Your Heart.' Only, EYB didn't perform on the main stage at the front of the auditorium. Instead, the band performed on a second -- but not secondary, as this was not a lesser stage to which EYB were relegated -- platform that was positioned in the middle of the crowd. It certainly connected the Band to their fans. R

Dierks Bentley performed the chilled-out tune 'Tip It on Back' at the 2012 CMA Awards, sounding every bit as confident relaxed as he does on the studio version of the track.

Zac Brown Band slowed things down at the 2012 CMA Awards, performing their contemplative ballad 'Goodbye in Her Eyes' while bathed in soft yellow stage lighting.

Country spitfire Miranda Lambert rocked the stage at the 2012 CMA Awards with a high-energy performance of 'Fastest Girl in Town,' her recent hit single.

After Tim McGraw's killer performance of 'One of Those Nights' at Thursday's 2012 CMA Awards, Jana Kramer and Jake Owen took the stage to present the award for Vocal Duo of the Year. Big and Rich, Love and Theft, Sugarland, the Civil Wars and Thompson Square were all up for the coveted Vocal Duo of the Year award, but only one pair could take home the trophy.