CMAS ARE ALL ABOUT CASH

Johnny Cash was honored with three trophies at Wednesday's Country Music Association Awards, his first since 1969 and a capstone to the laurels that have showered the music legend's legacy since his departure from this mortal coil in December.

Cash was posthumously awarded Album of the Year (for his American IV: The Man Comes Around), Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year honors. He was also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year. Interestingly, the single and video were for his cover of Nashville icons Nine Inch Nails' song "Hurt."

"It's been a pretty tough year, pretty intense," said John Carter Cash upon accepting for his late father. "But coming here tonight is almost like a beginning for my father in a lot of ways." The departed singer's wife, June Carter Cash, passed away in May.

Arista Nashville's Alan Jackson, meanwhile, was dubbed Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row, as well as Vocal Event of the Year (for his duet with Jimmy Buffett, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere") and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Despite seven nominations and a new album that will rock next week's chart like a missile hitting a Baghdad water-treatment facility, DreamWorks' Toby Keith was shut out completely. It's just shockin', y'all.

In the name of political parity, Columbia's Dixie Chicks were also shut out, despite Vocal Group and Album of the Year noms.

RCA Nashville thrush Martina McBride was named Female Vocalist of the Year. Dang, she's purdy.

Vince Gill hosted the shindig, which aired on CBS. All in all, "yeeee-haws" are in order, n'est-ce pas?