Although three married couples have been previously nominated for CMA Song of the Year Awards honors, Lambert and Shelton are the first to take the prize. Photo credit: Donn Jones/CMA

Top prize at the Country Music Association Awards went to Blake Shelton Thursday night. The show aired live on ABC from Bridgestone Arena.

“When I moved to Nashville in 1994, I had two goals,” Shelton said. “One was to someday have a gold record. And one was to someday be a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Entertainer of the Year was…what is this? I don’t even know.”

Shelton was equally modest upon receiving CMA male vocalist of the year for the third year in a row. His wife – Miranda Lambert – won on the women’s side. So for the third year running, the couple swept both awards.

“I don’t necessarily deserve this,” Lambert said. “But I’ll sure take it.”

Lambert and Shelton also won song of the year for a tune the couple penned together about his brother who died in a car wreck as a teenager.

The evening also featured a tribute to Willie Nelson, appearances from the cast of the new primetime drama “Nashville” and frequent references to storm victims on the East Coast.

CMA Awards

Entertainer of the year: Blake Shelton

Album of the year: “Chief,” Eric Church; produced by Jay Joyce; EMI Records Nashville

Male vocalist of the year: Blake Shelton

Female vocalist of the year: Miranda Lambert

Vocal group of the year: Little Big Town

Vocal duo of the year: Thompson Square

Single of the year: “Pontoon,” Little Big Town; produced by Jay Joyce; Capitol Records Nashville

Song of the year: “Over You,” Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton

New artist of the year: Hunter Hayes