Tim McGraw's winning song is a tribute to his late father

McGraw, the biggest male star on the country scene, won both song of the year and single of the year for his poignant hit Live Like You Were Dying.

Chesney won entertainer of the year and his CD When the Sun Goes Down picked up the prize for album of the year.

The CMA awards are seen as the most prestigious prizes in country music.

McGraw's song is a tribute to his late father, former baseball player Tug McGraw, who died of cancer in January.

Hosts win

"Of course the song is special to me, but I think it is special to a lot of people," McGraw said at the ceremony.

Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss won best video and music event for their collaboration Whiskey Lullaby, while the ceremony's hosts Brooks and Dunn won best vocal duo.

Martina McBride picked up best female vocalist, rising star Keith Urban was named best male vocalist and Rascal Flatts got best vocal group.

But Alan Jackson, who led the nominations with seven, and Toby Keith, who was in the running for six awards, went home empty-handed.