Jackson received Awards for Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year (which he won in 2002) and Vocal Event of the Year with Jimmy Buffett for their chart-topping hit "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere." His latest Awards bring Jackson's career total to 16.

Son John Carter Cash and daughter Kathy Cash accepted their father's Awards on his behalf.  "My father's work came to completion at the end of his life not at the end of this record," John Carter Cash said. "I've never seen a man more dedicated and stronger than that man. My father's memory will live on in my heart, and I know in all of your hearts."

Cash was also named the fourth recipient of the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence.  The award is given to an individual who is an originator and caretaker of demonstrated ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved Country Music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry as a whole, and also has a proven historical impact on Country Music.  The CMA Board of Directors selected Cash for this honor earlier this year.    

Friends and admirers of Cash paid homage to the Country legend in a moving musical celebration to close the last musical performance of the Awards. Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, who were part of The Highwaymen with Cash and Waylon Jennings, performed "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk The Line," respectively. Travis Tritt and CMA nominee Sheryl Crow, who had performed at both June Carter and Johnny Cash's memorial services, joined musical forces for "Jackson." Hank Williams Jr., who joined forces with Cash in 1988 on a song called "That Old Wheel," performed one of Cash's most popular hits "Ring of Fire." All the performers joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who were nominated with Cash for Vocal Event of the Year, for "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."

Reigning 2002 Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride picked up her second straight Award in that category. "I am so honored to be in this category with the women that are in this category," said McBride. "I don't know why it is me up here, but I am very grateful and proud." Close friend Faith Hill presented McBride with the Award after McBride performed her latest single, "In My Daughter's Eyes," from her eighth RCA Records album Martina.

Brooks & Dunn picked up their 11th Vocal Duo of the Year trophy. "We are working on our second decade," said Ronnie Dunn.  "Thanks for keeping us around."

Since releasing their first Arista Nashville album more than a decade ago, Brooks & Dunn have sold more than 27 million albums and have garnered 21 No. 1 hits. The duo performed their new single "You Can't Take The Honky Tonk Out of the Girl."

The 2002 Horizon Award winner Rascal Flatts won Vocal Group of the Year, a first for the trio. In an emotional acceptance, the group gave their Award to "our heroes," retiring group Alabama. Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have two Platinum albums to their credit and seven Top 10 hits, including "I Melt," which the group performed on the Awards.

Joe Nichols took home the coveted Horizon Award, which is given to the artist who has demonstrated significant growth in Country Music over the past year. Nichols' debut album, Man With A Memory, spawned two No. 1 hits including "Brokenheartsville," which he performed.

Songwriters Doug Johnson and Kim Williams won their first CMA Award for Song of the Year for "Three Wooden Crosses" by Randy Travis. "You know, our world needs hope," Johnson said backstage. "And if any of us can give anyone hope, well, we've done our job."

Country Music Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton teamed up with five-time GRAMMY award winner Norah Jones on "The Grass Is Blue," a Parton classic that Jones recorded for the tribute album Just Because I'm A Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton. The performance also included Rhonda Vincent on background vocals.  

Entertainer of the Year nominees Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney each performed poignant coming-of-age songs. McGraw sang "Red Ragtop," the controversial single about regret and forgiveness from his nominated Album of the Year Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors. "There Goes My Life," Chesney's first single from his upcoming album, follows a father through the birth of his child, to giving her away at her wedding.

Top nominee Toby Keith performed his 18th No. 1 hit, "I Love This Bar," in front of a backdrop of neon signs and barroom images.

Female Vocalist of the Year nominees Terri Clark and Patty Loveless performed up-tempo songs "I Wanna Do It All" and "Lovin' All Night," respectively. In 2003, Clark was the only female to have a No. 1 hit in 82 weeks with "I Just Wanna Be Mad."  Loveless' newest album On Your Way Home, her first studio project in more than two years debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and received critical acclaim.

Country Music's brightest new stars in the Horizon Award category each performed songs that in the past year established them as viable hit-makers. "Nashville Star" winner Buddy Jewell sang his Top 5 hit "Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey's Song)," a tribute to his daughter; Blake Shelton performed his family-oriented No. 1 song "The Baby;" Gary Allan sang "Songs About Rain," his second single off his fifth MCA Nashville album See If I Care; and Darryl Worley sang "I Will Stand My Ground," from his Platinum album Have You Forgotten?

George Strait, the CMA Award's top-nominated artist of all time with 71, performed his new single "Honk If You Honky Tonk." Highest-selling Country female in history, Shania Twain, sang "She's Not Just A Pretty Face." Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Alison Krauss collaborated with her band, Union Station and Musician of the Year nominee Jerry Douglas, on "Every Time You Say Goodbye."

Three-time CMA Award winner Brad Paisley offered the comic relief of the night with a little help from his friends. "The Bachelorette" star Trista Rehn and "Star Trek" captain William Shatner introduced Paisley, who performed "Celebrity," the tongue-in-cheek satire on stardom.

Guitarist Randy Scruggs received his second Musician of the Year trophy and dedicated his Award to some of his biggest influences. "I'd really like to say a personal thanks to the Cash family and the Carter family for the many years of inspiration," Scruggs said.

Capitol Nashville recording artist Dierks Bentley introduced a commercial break with his No. 1 single "What Was I Thinkin'" from his debut, self-titled album.

Adding some comedic moments himself, Vince Gill hosted the CMA Awards for the 12th consecutive year. Gill also took to the stage and performed "Young Man's Town," a reflective look at the differences in the past and the present from Gill's album Next Big Thing, with background vocals from his daughter Jenny.

Country legends Floyd Cramer and Carl Smith were officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Cramer, know for his progressive piano playing style, died in 1997. Singer-songwriter Smith, who attended the Awards, wrote some of the biggest hits in Country Music in the 1950s, including "Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way" and "Are You Teasing Me."

Presenters on "Country Music's Biggest Night™" included Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Chris Cagle, Anthony Clark and Mike O'Malley from CBS' "Yes Dear," Kellie Coffey, Sara Evans, Jennifer Hanson, Rebecca Lynn Howard, George Jones, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, LeAnn Rimes, Kid Rock, Marty Roe, Keith Urban, Mark Wills and Wynonna.

The industry professional members of the Country Music Association vote to determine CMA Award winners. The CMA Awards were produced by Walter C. Miller, directed by Paul Miller and scripted by David Wild. The event was broadcast live on the CBS Television Network from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. MJI Programming, a Division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, which includes the stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. The Awards was also seen around the world, including BBC Television in the UK. The CMA Awards became the first music awards show to be broadcast on network television in 1968.

The Winners of "The 37th Annual CMA Awards" are:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
ALAN JACKSON

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
MARTINA MCBRIDE

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
ALAN JACKSON

HORIZON AWARD:
JOE NICHOLS

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR:
BROOKS & DUNN

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
RASCAL FLATTS

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: (Award to artist and producer)
American IV: The Man Comes Around 
JOHNNY CASH
RICK RUBIN, producer

SONG OF THE YEAR: (Award to songwriter and primary publisher)
"Three Wooden Crosses"
DOUG JOHNSON and KIM WILLIAMS
Mike Curb Music/Sweet Radical Music/Kim Williams Music/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Cross Keys

SINGLE OF THE YEAR: (Award to artist and producer) "Hurt"
JOHNNY CASH
RICK RUBIN, producer

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: (Awards to artist and director)
"Hurt"
JOHNNY CASH
MARK ROMANEK, director

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR:
ALAN JACKSON and JIMMY BUFFETT
"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
RANDY SCRUGGS