HORIZON AWARD 2001

2001 CMA Awards
November 7, 2001
SOURCE:http://www.urbanintensity.com/AndTheWinnerIs.html
The Horizon Award is only given "to the artist who has demonstrated in the field of country music the most significant career growth and development in overall chart and sales activity, live performance, professionalism and critical media recognition." Yep, that pretty much sums up 2001, "the year of Keith." This award can be a career maker. Even being nominated for it is an honor in itself. In the past, it has been taken home by such greats as Garth Brooks, JoDee Messina & Clint Black, just to name a few. The competition was tough, with the likes of Phil Vassar, Jessica Andrews & Jamie O'Neal all being deserving of consideration. But, only one person can win & that person was Keith. As elated as he was, his mom, who was in the audience that night, must have been doubly so. All the fans were so proud of our Awesome Aussie. My personal display of it was jumping up & down and screaming, "HE WON!", at the top of my lungs.

Earlier in the evening, Keith & his band rocked the house with a very cool version of Where The Blacktop Ends. The lipstick camera mounted on the end of keith's guitar

Widely hailed as "Country Music's Biggest Night," the CMA Awards recognize outstanding achievement in Country Music for artists, musicians, producers, publishers, songwriters, video directors and industry executives. CMA Award winners are chosen by their peers, through a vote by CMA members who are professionals in the Country Music industry. The televised ceremony is a gala event, anticipated by Country Music professionals and fans all year long!

Tim McGraw was named Entertainer of the Year, Toby Keith won the Male Vocalist of the Year award, Lee Ann Womack won Female Vocalist of the Year, and the Horizon Award went to Keith Urban. All were first time winners in their respective categories