George was caught laughing by the ABC camera during Brad and Carrie's spoof of his classic hit... Amarillo by Morning....however, after the opening performance, once they went to commercial break, he didn't return to his seat until the Entertainer of the Year award was announced....frankly, I can't say I blame him because the entire show, except for his duet with Alan Jackson, could not be realistically classified as "country music"....

When the CMA nominations were initially announced, some said it was a "surprise" to find George Strait's name amongst the artists up for Entertainer of the Year....myself, I wasn't surprised at all and I thought that, if the CMA members had seen fit to nominate him, he had a very good chance of actually winning!!    As it turned out, that's exactly what happened....when Robin Roberts of GMA opened the envelope, King George walked away with his 3rd EOTY Award...the last time he won it was in 1990....this is Mr. Strait's 22nd CMA Award overall....

Strait fans watching the show  were no doubt a bit jealous of Taylor Swift, who got a kiss from George during the Pinnacle Award presentation....all the artists she had opened concerts for during the early part of her career were on stage...but it was George who actually handed the award to her....

The entire group posed backstage after the presentation ....Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Taylor, George, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley.....

During the show's final hour, George and Alan teamed up for an emotional tribute to George Jones...singing perhaps his most famous song....He Stopped Loving Her Today....afterwards, many in the press commented how this duet had been the highlight of the show's performances....

Once the shock of hearing his name called slightly wore off, George delivered an emotional "thank you" speech....mentioning his Dad....the MCA team...especially UMG Chairman Mike Dungan and Cindy, who he said was a "bad girl" with a mischievious smile....and thanked his manager and family.....all the while he kept his hand over his heart....how much you want to bet it was beating so hard he probably felt it wanted to come out of his chest...LOL....he also told the crowd he was "thrilled just to be nominated again"...and he said of his win.... "I can not believe it"...and that he was "blown away" by it....

George posed for photographers  for a few minutes before addressing the press....looking at this  photo makes me wonder if we've ever seen him smile this big???  So obvious he was elated with his win !!!

George told reporters that he thought maybe he had "an outside shot at winning, but not really...not seriously"....he also joked this award may get him "fired up again" and that the "cowboy might be ridin' back in"....LOL...but then he was quick to walk that back and repeat he's quitting the road but not retiring completely...he will deliver 5 more albums for MCA Records...and do a few concerts here and there in the next few years...he pointed out he was "not selling his bus!"....LOL

Is George thinking ..."yeah baby, you're mine!".....???....LOL

At the MCA after-party, Entertainer of the Year George Strait poses with Vocal Group winners Little Big Town...New Artist Kacey Musgraves...and various MCA executives....the tall man by Kacey is Mike Dungan, UMG Chairman....Strait fans owe many thanks to this man for he's the one who signed George to another contract for 5 more albums...ensuring we will have NEW Strait music for several more years....!!!!