2012 CMT Music Awards

Carrie Underwood dazzled the crowd in a sparkling minidress, which she paired with a Swarovski clutch and sexy black pumps. 

 

 

Lady Antebellum was very monochromatic for their big night. While their lead lady Hillary Scott went for a simple form-fitting LBD with a white clutch, her bandmates Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley (Katherine Heigl’s brother-in-law) opted for blue jeans paired with white and black blazers respectively. The trio took home the award for group video of the year ("We Owned the Night).

 

 

 

Jordin Sparks showcased her newly trim physique in an off-the shoulder chiffon gown. Can you say pretty in peach?

 

 

 

She may not have much to do with country music, but the always likable Kristen Bell (who says she’s a big fan of the genre) was tapped to co-host this year’s show along with Toby Keith. The 5’1” blonde looked lovely in a gold gown … and with fiancé Dax Shepherd on her arm, of course! But what was with his shiny suit?

 

 

 

“Idol” alum Kellie Pickler busted out on the red carpet in a fringe-y frock and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes. "Red carpet here I come!” she tweeted along with a pic of her footsies in the shiny gold heels.

 

 

 

 

Miranda Lambert and her bandmates in The Pistol Annies, Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe, were the ladies in black. Going into the awards, Lambert was the artist with the second-most nominations — four, including two for her solo work and two for her work with the all-girl group.

 

 

Scotty McCreery, the Season 10 winner of "American Idol," dressed in denim for the occasion, where he won the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Award for "The Trouble with Girls."

 

 

 

She’s not a country singer, but Denise Richards certainly looked the part thanks to her very sparkly mini and her long blond curls. The actress was at the event with her on-again boyfriend, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, although they were careful not to pose together on the red carpet.

 

 

 

(L-R) Philip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, and Jimi Westbrook – otherwise known as the hit country band Little Big Town – stayed close together on the red carpet. The group is up for the CMT Performance of the Year award.

 

 

 

“Twilight” 20something Ashley Greene looked all grown-up in this feather-adorned cleavage-bearing Donna Karan Atelier frock. And the brunette had an important job at the show: "Headed to the @cmt awards! I'm presenting the award for best video collaboration with @jakeowen, so everyone tune in!” she tweeted earlier in the day.

 

 

 

Rascal Flatts commanded all the attention on the red carpet in their eye-catching blazers-- well, at least two of them did. Jay DeMarcus went for silver glitter and Gary LeVox chose blue shimmer to dress up their black pants and shirts, while their bandmate Joe Don Rooney opted for a simple white jacket. Whose look do you like best?

 

 

 

Singer/songwriter Grace Potter (of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals fame) looked sexier than ever in a plunging, beaded gown and bright smile.

 

 

 

Newly engaged “Alone With You” singer Jake Owen brought his gorgeous fiancée Lacey Buchanan as his date and the white-clad duo looked like they were ready to walk down the aisle … in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

"American Idol" contestant and Reba McEntire sound-alike Skylar Lane popped a pose in a busy prom bomb and clunky cocktail ring.

 

 

 

Yeehaw! “A Little More Country Than That” singer Easton Corbin embraced his true cowboy with a plaid button-down shirt, jeans, and oversized belt buckle. 

 

 

 

Country cutie Jessie James wasn’t afraid to show a little skin in the pastel-pink strapless mini she paired with sky-high nude pumps. The 24-year-old will surely be sporting a different look when she takes part in this weekend’s City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge … unless she knows how to steal home in heels. 

 

 

 

Journey -- sans former lead singer Steve Perry, who left the band for a second time in 1998 -- posed for pics on the purple carpet before heading inside the Bridegstone Arena to prepare for their performance alongside Rascal Flatts.

 

 

 

“One Tree Hill” actress-turned-country-crooner Jana Kramer showed off her fab figure in this embellished cap-sleeve dress that she paired with peep-toe pumps and long tresses.

 

 

 

Toby Keith traded in his "Red Solo Cup" for just a simple clear plastic one, but he still went with his signature black ball cap and and plaid shirt. The singer is up for two awards: Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year

 

“Giddy On Up” singer and Broadway actress Laura Bell Bundy showed off her stems in a strapless mini dress that would have probably looked more appropriate on a Vegas magician’s assistant. 

 

 

 

Pop rockers Hot Chelle Rae -- best known for their Billboard Top 10 hit "Tonight Tonight" -- brought their edgy sense of style to the star-studded event. Later in the evening, the boys surprised many by joining forces 

 

 

 

Newly-single actress Jennie Garth, star of her own CMT reality show "A Little Bit Country," brought her daughter with Peter Facinelli, 14-year-old Luca Bella, as her date. The former "Beverly Hills, 90210" beauty donned a silk, iridescent teal mini dress by Gabriela 

 

 

 

Louisiana born and raised singer Hunter Hayes, 20, strutted his stuff in a black-and-red ensemble. Hayes, who covered "Almost Paradise" with Victoria Justice for the 2011 remake of "Footloose," was up for the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year for his clip "Storm Warning."

 

 

 

Don't mess with pro wrestlers Crimson and James Storm! The buff duo looked like they meant business while posing together on the red carpet. What do you think of Storm’s glowing skull-adorned cowboy hat?

 

 

Season 10 “American Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina has had quite the year, touring with the show’s live tour last summer, releasing her first album, which hit the top five on the Billboard chart, and now attending the CMT

 

 

Rockers Tom Petersson and Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick also made the scene. While Petersson came clad in a basic gray-and-black getup, Nielsen dared to wear a suit and bowtie, which he paired with a ball cap, polka dot scarf, and colorful slippers

 

 

The duo of John Paul White and Joy Williams, better known as The Civil Wars, were fancy in a sleek tux (for him) and a sophisticated black gown (for a very pregnant her). The two, who are not married to each other but to other people, incidentally, were nominated for three.

 

 

 

Though she's best known for crashing events she's not actually invited to, this time around Michaele Salahi was actually a legitimate guest of her new beau, Journey guitarist Neal Schon.

 

 

Former WWE wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin put on not just a shirt, but an entire suit for the ceremony! After all, Austin, who's now the host of CMT's reality competition "Redneck Island," was a presenter.

 

 

"Home Sweet Home" trio The Farm — Damien Horne, Krista Marie, and Nick Hoffman — opted for casual ensembles. Actually, Marie may have gone a little too casual on top by wearing her lingerie in public...

 

 

Former "American Idol" contestant Casey James hit the red carpet in a colorful jacket and jeans, plus his signature long locks and soul patch. 

 

 

Country trio Gloriana, (L-R) Tom Gossin, Rachel Reinert, and Mike Gossin, proved they are all individuals when it comes to their sense of style!

 

Up-and-coming country singer Kip Moore kept things very casual in his jeans, tee, baseball cap, and work boots.