'Thug Story' and beyond: The Taylor Swift award show reign begins

Carrie Underwood may have been the entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, but the baton was passed to Taylor Swift last night at Country Music Television Awards gala. The artist won video of the year for her "Love Story," and while the telecast is nothing but a mega-commercial for the video network, expect it to be the beginning of T-Swift's award show winnings over the course of the next year.

She won the top prize at the video ceremony last year, but now she's begining her victory lap for her sophmore effort "Fearless." Swift's Disney-esque "Love Story" clip also won female video of the year, and she closed the ceremony performing "Pour Some Sugar on Me" with Def Leppard. The appearance was to hype the DVD release of Swift and Leppard's "Crossroads" special, but it also felt like a nod to the arena-pop era of country that was ushered in by Leppard's producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Shania Twain.

Other major winners included Brad Paisley, who took home best male video for "Waitin' on a Woman," and Rascal Flatts, which won group video of the year for "Every Day." Sugarland won duo of the year for "All I Want to Do," and the Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried" was named breakthrough video.

Spectacle reigned supreme tonight, with the B-52's joining Sugarland for a cover of "Love Shack," and Swift opening the show by donning Vulcan ears and playing "Star Trek." A few moments later, she joined T-Pain for a novelty rap titled "Thug Story" -- a certain iTunes hit if it gets released (it's embedded below, and we apologize for the ad in the clip). Playing the character of "T-Sweezy," Swift declares that she's never really been in a club, still lives with her parents, and charmed while delivering Weird Al-worthy lines. Rapped Swift, "What? What? I knit sweaters, yo!"

Indeed, the night was largely a showcase for the young star, who still seems to be on the rise despite already being the top-selling artist of 2008. Her 2008 album "Fearless" has already sold more than 3.3 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, and with a sold-out tour, as well as the ability to not take herself too seriously, Swift further set herself up for a massive number of nominations come Grammy time at the end of this year.

Her "Fearless" was released too late to be considered for the Grammys that aired in February, but its momentum isn't slowing. Expect a sales bump going into next week, and expect her to score an album of the year nod. Can we she win? We're not putting it past her. As she rapped tonight, "You don't want to fight me / In my extra-small white T." Did you catch that, Kanye? 

--Todd Martens

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Reader]

Do you know anything about Country Music? Entertainer of the year is the most prestigious award in Country Music. CMT video awards is not in the same class as that award. I would rather say I won EOTY and brag about that a lonely old CMT video award. You are a moron.

[Linda Barrett]

Dang, "Reader," why you hatin'? In a metaphorical sense, the baton was definitely passed from Underwood to Swift last night, regardless of the medium. Plus Taylor's obviously got a lot more to brag about than winning CMT awards, but come on. They're nothing to sneeze at. In a word, deal.

[free pop music]

The 2009 CMT Awards featured Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Toby Keith, unlike the CMAs and ACMs, which featured Taylor Swift.

[jesse garner]

well yall hater need 2 back off my girl t-tweezy ok the girl got talent, shes got all her priorities in oreder if she wants 2 rap lay off, if she wants 2 rock out with my favorite band def leppard let the girl rock geeez ,ousy folks get a real life not a surreal one.

[KarenK]

She not deserving of any award she's won--for one she cant sing a note without the help of a computer program!! Shes just a spoiled little brat and her mom and dad own stock at CMT tv!!
At least Carrie Underwood can sing and sing high notes as well!! Most of Taylors videos she has talked through them just put to music--she probably do better at rap than country anyday!!

[Daniel R.]

Coming from a white male, this is by far the dumbest thing I've seen yet besides Vanilla Ice! Lol.

[ZK]

well in my opinion, i love carrie! but taylor seems to be becoming more popular mainly because of younger teens and being down to earth. she has talent, but shouldn't be compared to carrie at all. and like what "reader" said, winning the EOTY, is a whole lot better then winning a video of the year, because the video is showing more acting skills and art direction, other than the real lyrics and voice. taylor is awesome in some ways, but every song she writes about is about relationships. and so is the music vids. it's going to get old soon. and once she turns 20, it's going to be weird hearing a 20 yr old singing about boyfriends and stuff. and i really don't get the baton being passed to taylor. everyone of this artists in country music are all great in their own ways, so don't be saying that only one is the supreme. in the end carrie and taylor are both equally talented in different ways, but please don't say that winning a CMT video award is better than the EOTY. because it's nowhere near, being better.

[Jamie K.]

Taylor is 19 and relatively new to the scene. They may well give it to her next year.

Taylor Swift is one of the most talented musicians out there, and she's only 19. Just think what she can do in 10 years. It's mind boggling.

[Jamie K.]

Also, for the country purists writing despicable comments about her, SHE'S MAKING COUNTRY MUSIC MORE POPULAR. Take me for example. I NEVER listen to the country station or watch CMT. Yet there I am, watching and listening to country stations to see if Taylor Swift is on. At the same time, I'm being exposed to other country acts like Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, etc etc. Artists I would never even listen to.

She's making country music bigger, and you purists should be forever grateful for that, and not trashing Taylor Swift.

[Jamie K.]

These Carrie Underwood fans who are hating on Taylor Swift are only making Carrie Underwood look bad.

[Andrea]

The video with T-Pain was made to be funny, its not like she is going to become a rapper for real, calm down. I like Carrie Underwood, but I have to say I like Taylor Swift more and yall have to admit she is making country music very popular and doing a great job of it

[G Jordan]

I agree with some of the comments about Taylor making country music more and more popular every day! I'm a woman in my 50's and I love what Taylor is doing for Country Music and the different genres of music! She is multi-talented and I think she deserves every award she's ever gotten. I too have heard stories about some computer helping her out on her CD's and I too have heard her get off key from time to time, but I also take into consideration all the things going on at the time of her little off keys every once in a while. It seems to happen when she's very excited, like the first time she sang to Tim McGraw, yes, she was nervous and it showed in her voice....and it happened a little bit when she was singing in the pouring rain at her performance at the CMA awards show I think....not sure of the show. The thing is....She is a phenominal songwriter, and yes, when she gets into her 20's, what she's writing about now probably won't be what she writes about anymore, but for now....it's definately working for her!!! So, two thumbs up for Taylor.....Rock on Girl!!!!