CMT Awards 2012: Red Carpet Full Of Glitter & Boots (PHOTOS)

Nothing goes together quite like sequins and cowboy boots.

At least that seemed to be the mantra at last night's 2012 CMT Awards, where country music's biggest stars walked the red carpet in Nashville wearing all sorts of sparkle and shine.

The CMT Awards, for those just tuning in, should not be confused for the ACM Awards put on by the Academy of Country Music. If the ACMs are country music's Oscars, think of the CMTs as the, er, Golden Globes.

Which means, of course, slightly wilder fashion. There were plenty of cowboy boots to go around, even some poking out under intensely ornate mullet dresses. Those who weren't wearing traditional boots opted for high shine in neutral tones -- there were more nude pumps than in Kate Middleton's closet and plenty of nude dresses (on the likes of Kristen Bell, Ashley Greene, Denise Richards and Jana Kramer) drenched in crystals and other shiny doodads.

It's a good thing, too -- the women had to make up for Taylor Swift's noticeable absence. Luckily Carrie Underwood managed to fill the glitter quota all on her own, blinding everyone in a dark gray sequined mini dress and a Swarovski clutch.

See all the country stars you know and love (and plenty you don't know at all) in our red carpet roundup.

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• Carrie Underwood

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• Kristen Bell in Reem Acra

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• Kristen Bell in Collette Dinnigan & Toby Keith

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• Miranda Lambert

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• Hayden Panettiere

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• Miranda Lambert

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• Jordin Sparks

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• Ashley Greene

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• Denise Richards

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• Kellie Pickler

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• Sara Evans

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• Laura Bell Bundy

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• Sarah Darling

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• Skylar Lane

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• Rachel Reinert of Gloriana

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• Tom Gossin, Rachel Reinert and Mike Gossin of Gloriana

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• Luca Bella Facinelli and Jennie Garth in Gabriela Cadena

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• Jana Kramer in PAVONI

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• Grace Potter

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• Dean Berner, Cherill Green & Hannah Blaylock of Edens Edge in David Yurman

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• Grace Potter

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• Ali Dee

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• Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum

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• Jessie James

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• Allison Leigh Alderson DeMarcus

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• Elizabeth Cook

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• Lauren Alaina in David Yurman

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• Mollie McClymont, Samantha McClymont and Brooke McClymont of The McClymonts

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• Paige Duke

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• Samantha Stephens

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• Rachel Holder

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• Michael Waltrip

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• Jerry Lawler

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• Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town,Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, and Mae Whitman

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• Stars Walk a Purple Carpet at CMT Awards

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Comments

[butchcliff]

08:18 AM on 06/09/2012

Liked Bell & Potter & Scott. Bundy's dress was cool in it's own way.

[Kali03]

05:13 AM on 06/08/2012

I didn't see a whole lot of cowboy boots in the slide show. Most of the women had heels, not boots.

Where are the amazing boots?

Hmph. Misleading headline again...

[pleblian]

06:29 PM on 06/07/2012

Toby Keith has some serious man boobs...

[LordAlbaro]

04:56 PM on 06/07/2012

I was cheering for Scotty McCreery, because he's a good singer and lives about 5 mins away from me.

[marijam]

04:27 PM on 06/07/2012

Mini skirts that are too short are not attractive and neither are those color-blocked maxi-dresses. ugh

[NormdePlume]

01:45 PM on 06/07/2012

Carrie: Granny Clampett phoned - she wants her shoes back.

Gawdawful.

[rhettphive]

01:33 PM on 06/07/2012

I think Kristen Bell needs to go back to bangs. Her hair looked so lank and flat. She is super cute and tiny especially next to Tobe Keith(I think that's how you spell his name)

[Prnzez]

01:26 PM on 06/07/2012

Can someone tell me why Denise Richards is at the CMT awards???

[licker13]

01:00 PM on 06/07/2012

I am so sick of taylor swift and carrie underwood I could barf

[marijam]

04:28 PM on 06/07/2012

I was somewhat shocked at Carrie Underwood's really short dresses in the performance clips. This is the girl that sang Jesus take the wheel? Not my idea of "country wholesome".

[Mike Tee]

12:54 PM on 06/07/2012

Interesting that the best act went on last. Arnel Pineda and Journey stole the show! His voice was several times better than the next nearest performer....

[allisoninwonderland]

12:37 PM on 06/07/2012

Mullet dresses SOOOOOOOOOOO need to end. The fact that they are called mullet dresses was the first clue. And yes...I know designers call them "high-low" but a rose by any other name still looks DREADFUL.

[Nadineab]

12:32 PM on 06/07/2012

How bad were these fashions???? Whew - wouldn't think any of these people had the incredible amounts of money they have to dress themselves attractively.

[Willow-the-Witch]

01:29 PM on 06/07/2012

I know! Most of these look like (really) bad prom dresses. From the 80s. And for the love of god, don't wear a short dress if you don't know how *not* to stand like a football player.

[Catriona49]

12:23 PM on 06/07/2012

Ugly shoes! Dresses that were rejects in the 70's! Jordin looked nice. The majority of those pictured have nothing to do with country music , or music at all! Don't these people look in the mirror? The crossed feet , knock kneed pose is soooooooo over!

[rhettphive]

01:29 PM on 06/07/2012

This pose looks good on hippy women, but when you see it on these super skinny girls it looks like they need to pee RIGHT NOW!

[penny4lgood]

12:20 PM on 06/07/2012

It's a good thing, too -- the women had to make up for Taylor Swift's noticeable absence. Luckily Carrie Underwood managed to fill the glitter quota all on her own, blinding everyone in a dark gray sequined mini dress and a Swarovski clutch. except from the article..

Meow, is this a catty statement, or what? They apparently know in advance, who the winner is going to be. How many times, was Carrie nominated for an award and never appeared on the show. Did anyone notice, that one? Of course not, there was always the scheduling excuse..Hey, maybe Taylor Swift had other plans for a change or knew in advance, just like all the others do. I am wondering how many of the Country past successful artist, contribute to the CMT? I know I read, Taylor recently donated 4million..She remembers where her fame came from, and her donation, spoke for itself..Taylor has a heart of gold. You go Taylor!

[er2blu]

11:49 AM on 06/07/2012

Why do we get these articles? Who cares what these people wore -or how much they publicly pat each other on the back for their great "accomplishments"

[marijam]

04:30 PM on 06/07/2012

It's part of the package when it's an award show. Lots of people watch these things as much for the fashion as for any other reason.