The Boot (Nov. 11th 2010)

Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert are CMA’s reigning country couple

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert were the IT couple of the CMA Awards this year, taking home the crowns for Male Vocalist and Female Vocalist of the Year, respectively. The two, who got engaged earlier this year, were probably happier for each other than they were about their own wins.

"For whatever reason, [our careers] got going at the same time," Blake said backstage at the CMA Awards. "That's not what's important, as far as career-wise goes, but personally, it's the biggest part of this that a commercial break came after she had won her award tonight. We just sat there and stared at each other and there was really nothing to say. What the hell do you say? 'I'm proud of you.' 'I'm proud of you?' No, because that's not enough, you know? It's one of those moments where you go, 'This is why I do what I do and why I love what I do, and that award that you're sitting there with, I'm proud of you because I love you. And I'm proud of what you do. I'm proud of who you are, and I love who you are.' You have all that stuff thrown in together. You don't talk about it, you just sit there and absorb it."

"I couldn't even be happy for myself when I won Album of the Year, because Blake won Male Vocalist of the Year, and he was so long deserving of that," Miranda said backstage. "Seeing his face and seeing what it meant to him was really, really touching."

This was the first year that a couple won the two vocalist categories since 2000, when Tim McGraw and Faith Hill grabbed those particular trophies. "I'm sure that Tim and Faith never set out to be the country couple," Blake said. "I think what they probably found out was that they were attracted to each other and they met because of what they do, and that's our situation. It's unique and odd that our careers are kind of peaking at the same time."

The country star received his first-ever CMA Awards with wins in the Male Vocalist and Musical Event of the Year (for his song 'Hillbilly Bone' with longtime friend, Trace Adkins). When an elated Blake heard his name called in the vocalist category, the crowd jumped to their feet, giving him a standing ovation. Another act who were thrilled he won was the Vocal Duo of the Year. Sugarland was backstage in the press room when Blake was named Male Vocalist. "All right, CMA! Shake it up," said Jennifer Nettles. "It's gonna be fun at their house tonight!" added Kristian Bush.