Taylor Swift was honored with the Pinnacle Award at the 47th annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night, and was dressed for the occasion in an elegant red gown.

Swift, 23, became only the second person to receive the CMAs Pinnacle Award, which goes to a country artist who brings the genre to a worldwide audience. The only other country artist to receive the award is Garth Brooks in 2005. Swift was presented with the trophy by George Strait, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, all of whom she opened for when she was starting out in the industry.

The young country star also received shout outs from a number of her fans in entertainment – including Justin Timberlake, Carly Simon, Julia Roberts, Mick Jagger and Ellen DeGeneres. Ethel Kennedy also appeared via video to contratulate Swift.

Check Out Uinterview's CMA Slideshow Here

While accepting the award, Swift recalled the moment when she was 16 when she received a call from Big Machine Records' Scott Borchetta to ask her to join Rascal Flatt’s tour. "He said, 'Can you be on the road in two days to open for Rascal Flatts,' and I immediately started screaming and said, 'This must be a miracle,'" Swift said. "He said, 'No, it's not a miracle. Eric Church got fired for playing too long.'"

Swift, who was nominated in six categories at the CMAs, brought together Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Sam Bush for a stripped-down version of her hit “Red” on the award show stage.

– Chelsea Regan

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