Willie Nelson doesn't mind the attention at CMAs
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Willie Nelson arrives at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Reba McEntire arrives aesseet the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. -- PHOTO: AP
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Carrie Underwood (left), and her husband Mike Fisher arrive at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Keith Urban arrives at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Darius Rucker arrives at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Big Kenny (left), and John Rich, of musical duo Big & Rich, arrive at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Jason Aldean performs at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Hosts Brad Paisley (left), and Carrie Underwood perform an opening number onstage at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Musical group Little Big Town (from left), Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet, accept the award for single of the year for Pontoon at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Jason Aldean performs during the opening of the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Singers (from left), Eric Church, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan perform at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
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Tim McGraw performs his new song, One Of Those Nights, at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Willie Nelson arrives at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Reba McEntire arrives aesseet the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. -- PHOTO: AP
Carrie Underwood (left), and her husband Mike Fisher arrive at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Keith Urban arrives at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Darius Rucker arrives at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Big Kenny (left), and John Rich, of musical duo Big & Rich, arrive at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Jason Aldean performs at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Hosts Brad Paisley (left), and Carrie Underwood perform an opening number onstage at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Musical group Little Big Town (from left), Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet, accept the award for single of the year for Pontoon at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Jason Aldean performs during the opening of the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Singers (from left), Eric Church, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan perform at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
Tim McGraw performs his new song, One Of Those Nights, at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. -- PHOTO: AP
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) - As stars began the walk down the carpet and fans screamed a few hundred yards away, Willie Nelson took a quiet moment on his bus before joining the celebration at the Country Music Association Awards (CMAs).
Set to participate in a tribute with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum and receive a lifetime achievement award, Nelson admitted Thursday afternoon he was looking forward to the evening as he sat at his miniature kitchen table.
"It's about me," Nelson joked. "Duh."
The 79-year-old singer walked the carpet later with his wife, Annie. One of the most beloved figures in not just country music, but American popular culture, Nelson was stopped several times for hugs.
