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CMA reception brings tears to Shania Twain

The Tennessean
November 14, 2008
By Beverly Keel

Shania Twain walks onstage to
present Entertainer of the Year at
the CMA Awards on Wednesday night.

Of course, it wasn't Shania's back that garnered immediate attention when she walked onstage in a low-cut Missoni gown to present the Entertainer of the Year award during Wednesday's CMA Awards. This marked her first public appearance since news spread of her divorce from her producer husband, Robert "Mutt" Lange.

Shania who hasn't released a studio album since Up! in 2002 was moved to tears by the standing ovation her surprise appearance earned from the Sommet Center crowd. "She was floored by the reaction of the crowd," said her spokesman, Jason Owen. "It's probably one of the best nights she's had in Nashville."

When Kenny Chesney took the stage to accept the award, he said out loud what was on the minds of many, including those who gasped in the pressroom. "You look really good tonight!" Kenny told her.

Backstage, Kenny told reporters, "I flirted with her onstage."

Shania and Kenny have gone through marital splits in the public eye. "Relationships are hard anyway, for anybody," Kenny said. "It's even tougher when it's a spectator sport. I wish her all the best really. I think she is obviously an amazing artist. It was really great to have her be a part of this night. I think she can do anything she wants."

Earlier that night, Shania shared laughs and swapped stories in a dressing room with Reese Witherspoon, Martina McBride and Jennifer Nettles. After the show, she clearly had a great time at the Universal Music Group's party at its downtown headquarters, dancing and requesting songs by Pink and Kayne West.

On Thursday, Shania boarded a plane for her home in Switzerland.

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