Urban, Underwood Big Country Winners

'American Idol' Star Was Only Double Winner At CMT Awards Show

(AP) 
Yoakam called Owens the "best friend country music could ever ask for" and an inspiration to thousands of musicians. Owens pioneered the California country rock sound that flourished in the 1960s with such groups as the Byrds, he said.

Hank Williams Jr. received the Johnny Cash Visionary Award for his contributions to country music, joining such previous winners as Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire and the Dixie Chicks.

"My father changed and molded country music. Johnny Cash changed and molded country music. Waylon Jennings changed and molded country music," Williams said. "I'm just a guy that is another carpenter in a long line, and there's a lot more new ones here tonight."

The son of the legendary Hank Williams began his career performing his father's songs, but in the 1970s forged his own identity by fusing country music with the Southern rock of groups, such as the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band.

Last month, his daughters, Holly Williams, 25, and Hilary Williams, 27, were seriously injured in an auto accident.

Holly Williams attended the awards show; Hilary is still recovering, the singer said.

"I was spared and Hilary Williams has been spared," said the bearded singer, who almost died in a mountain-climbing accident in 1975.

Surrounded by scantily dressed dancers, Trace Adkins opened the show with his hip-shaking anthem "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," and host Jeff Foxworthy's monologue included cracks about the age of some of the newer artists.

"Miranda Lambert is so young that her tour is being brought to you by the letter J and the number 7," Foxworthy joked. Newcomer Lambert had been nominated for female video and breakthrough video for "Kerosene."

Fans voted online through April 7 to determine the winners in each category except video of the year, which was chosen by fans during the live telecast. The awards were first presented in 2002.