November 10 was a huge night for country music and country music fans. This annual event is called the CMAs, Country Music Association Awards. It has been around since 1967 and has awarded country artists such as Eddy Arnold, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire and many more for their contribution to the country music industry either in a hit single or for being an outstanding entertainer and person. This year was a great year for country artists and fans. Awards went to Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Trace Adkins and Entertainer of The Year went to Brad Paisley. There were other awards that were given to writers, producers and radio programs as well. After each artist wins an award, they walk up to the stage and say their speeches and thanks to the fans. In all the years I have been watching the CMAs, I have never heard a speech so heartfelt as Brad Paisley’s. He quoted one of his hero’s, Little Jimmie Dickens, and said that he was the turtle on the fence post. I wasn’t the only person who liked Brad Paisley’s speech. “I thought that it was one of the sweetest speeches and I really liked it,” said Hannah Vreeman. This award show may be just a show to some, but for country music fans it is an event that will be remembered in country music history. Also, with this award show, it’s not just a musical event. It is a family event too. Country music isn’t just a genre, it is a way of life. To me it is friends, family, faith, country, trucks, old dirt roads, football, love, heartbreak and good food. It is simple and can relate to every person in some way or another. “I like country music a lot because it is one of the only real kinds of music left. So much music nowadays doesn’t mean anything and most of the time the lyrics don’t make sense,” said Vreeman. Country music is very special to me because in other genres when a song gets too old it is usually forgotten and the artist isn’t as well known as when their song came out. In country music, songs from Tammy Wynette, George Jones and Lorretta Lynn are still remembered and loved by the industry and the fans. I do not know who said this, but it is one of my favorite quotes: “My life is a country music song waiting to happen.”