Women dominate US country awards

Kellie Pickler (left) and Taylor Swift (right) won the night's top two prizes

Former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler has scored a triple win at the Country Music Television Awards.

The 21-year-old, who came sixth in the TV talent show two years ago, picked up three prizes for her single I Wonder.

In a night of female success, teenager Taylor Swift won the top award - video of the year - for her hit Our Song.

"I wrote that song for a talent show," confessed the 18-year-old on stage in Nashville. Other winners included Rascal Flatts and Bon Jovi.

The New Jersey rock group picked up best collaborative video for their duet with LeAnn Rimes, Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore.

2008 CMT AWARDS - MAIN WINNERS

Video of the year:
Taylor Swift - Our Song

Male video:
Trace Adkins - I Got My Game On

Female video:
Taylor Swift - Our Song

Group video:
Rascal Flatts - Take Me There

Breakthrough video:
Kellie Pickler - I Wonder

Rimes, who accepted the award alone, joked: "I had a lot of fun rolling around with Jon in bed."

Then she looked over at her husband in the crowd and added: "Sorry, honey. I love you. You're hotter."

Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant was also honoured for his work with Alison Krauss in the "wide open country" category.

Pickler's three prizes were for breakthrough video, tearjerker video and performance of the year.

Her song is about a daughter's feelings for her absent mother.

"Thank you American Idol, you are the rocket that launched my career," she said as she accepted her award by video link from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Swift, whose self-titled debut album has sold more than two million copies in the US, also picked up best female video for Our Song.

The awards, which are decided by public vote, were presented by Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, and her father Billy Ray.