Taylor Swift says she was surprised to win Entertainer of the Year at Wednesday night's 53rd Annual CMA Awards - but apparently, she was the only one who had any doubt.

On the red carpet heading into Nashville's Sommet Center, just about everyone we polled, from Reba McEntire to Kris Kristofferson, predicted the 19-year-old country phenom would walk away with the top prize - the youngest to do so, and the first female solo artist to be named Entertainer of the Year in a decade.

Her win broke Kenny Chesney's four-year lock on the category, and right before Swift took the stage to accept the award, Chesney whispered something into her ear. Backstage after the show, Swift told us the two were just saying how much they loved each other.

Journalists in the main press room prodded her about Kanye West, as well as her rumored beau, Taylor Lautner. She deflected the Kanye question by saying good-naturedly, "I'm so excited to be here. Aren't you excited to be here?" In response to the query about her love life, she simply said, "Huh? What?" and pretended she didn't understand the question.

Swift has been impressive since she took the world by storm with her self-titled debut album three years ago, and even those she beat out for the crown had admiring words. Brad Paisley - who has yet to win the accolade despite being nominated five times - reminisced about how he'd taken her on the road as his opening act, and joked that he'd no longer be accepting opening acts.

Interesting fly-on-the-wall moment ... witnessing a conversation between veteran CBS newsman Bob Schieffer and Paisley, where they made plans for Schieffer to "come out to the farm."

The CMA Awards are billed as "country music's biggest night" - and this year, it also officially signified a changing of the guard. Lady Antebellum scored an upset victory over Rascal Flatts, who've been unstoppable for six straight years as Group of the Year. Backstage, the young trio (Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood) talked about how they're taking home trophies before they deserve them (the group's sophomore album won't be released until January). There were plans to meet up at Charles' house for an after-party after the after-party, then have breakfast at Hillary's mom and dad's home.

Charles also mentioned something about making a run to Krystal for a burger (for you West Coasters, the Nashville equivalent of driving through In-N-Out in your limo after winning a Grammy).

At 43, Best New Artist Darius Rucker chuckled that he was the "oldest winner in that category of all time." He said he'd received congratulatory text messages from his Hootie and the Blowfish bandmates, but that his three young kids back in Charleston, South Carolina, were blissfully unaware he'd won. Rucker said he'd call them in the morning and break the news.

"They had to go to bed ... that was the deal," he said. "This may change how the world perceives me, but at home, I'm just Dad."

Alan Jackson (left) sizes up the store full of his paraphernalia.

Last week, it was an abandoned feed store in downtown Nashville. This week, it's an Alan Jackson pop-up store featuring hats, shirts, mugs, coasters, barbecue sauce and other items bearing the country music legend's name or likeness.

There are replicas of his signature white cowboy hat ... a miniature version of his touring trailer for $44.99 ... and a jacquard throw with a picture of Jackson's face woven into the fabric (perfect for those impromptu games of pin the mustache on your favorite country star).

The temporary Cracker Barrel outpost will last for the duration of CMA week - and then it'll be gone.

Interestingly, Jackson doesn't plan to attend the 43rd Annual CMA Awards tomorrow. Because he's off-cycle (which means he didn't have an album that was eligible), he's not nominated this year. The singer-songwriter says he's been in the studio putting the finishing touches on a new album that's due out in early spring.

"This one's pretty much the same ol' me," he deadpans.

He was more outwardly enthusiastic when talking about his partnership with Cracker Barrel. "My kind of food, my kind of people," he said.

His favorite meal? "I'd have to lean toward breakfast - the biscuit, and the sausage and the hash brown casserole thing that they have. For lunch, I like that meatloaf sandwich."

Bon appetit, AJ!

On Thursday, the drummer from the rock band Lit lost his valiant battle with brain cancer.  Allen Shellenberger was 39.

In May 2008, Shellenberger was diagnosed with a Stage 4 malignant brain tumor.  It was inoperable, but he immediately underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, as well as experimental therapy at Cedars-Sinai.

He was often driven from Orange County to his doctor's appointments in L.A. by Kevin Baldes, Lit's bass guitarist and acting nurse - who would dole out medication Allen's mother had arranged in tiny Ziploc baggies with Post-Its on them.  Allen never wanted to know how bad his prognosis was, and his bandmates never discussed it with him.

Allen played his last gig with Lit when they shared a bill with Sugar Ray and Everclear last fall.  He played the entire set, even though No Doubt's Adrian Young was backstage and ready to step in should his friend falter.

Allen was kind enough to let CNN accompany him on a doctor's visit last year.  He had lost weight, and his face was puffy from the steroids.  The rest of Lit was there: Kevin, as well as brothers Jeremy and A. Jay Popoff.  But in reality, all four thought of themselves as brothers, and at the end of our interview, Allen removed his shirt to reveal a new tattoo on his back - a sacred heart with a banner that read, "Family and Friends."  Those family members and friends were with him Thursday when he took his last breath.

Mark McGrath from Sugar Ray gave us this statement:

"Allen was a great drummer, but more importantly a great human being.  His courage and positive outlook during his battle with cancer was an inspiration to us all.  He will be missed dearly by a music community he helped enrich, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and my friends in LIT."

Adrian Young of No Doubt had this to say:

"We're deeply saddened by Allen's passing.  It's a difficult moment but we take comfort in remembering how much he loved being in Lit, loved being a drummer and that he saw his rock'n'roll dreams come true.  Our thoughts are with his family, bandmates and loved ones."

Dear Aerosmith,

Hi, guys! I guess I should say, "How are you all feeling?"  When I got the press release announcing the cancellation of the remainder of your summer tour, I breathed a sigh of relief.  This trek has been jinxed.  Steven, I'm sure you're nodding in agreement - if you can, with 20 stitches in your head and a broken shoulder from a fall off the stage last week.  Ow (I've seen the video on YouTube).

Even before you hit the road, Brad bonked his head - reportedly getting out of his Ferrari - and was forced to miss the first seven shows.  Then Tom left the tour due to what's only been described as "non-invasive surgery."  And Steven, just before your latest mishap, Aerosmith had to postpone some concerts because of your torn quad muscle.

Of the 15 shows the band managed to eke out, none were with the full line-up. Now I don't want to blame anything on age, because 60 is the new 40 (or something like that). But take the rest of the summer off - go to Martha's Vineyard or whatever it is you guys do in Boston.  You'll be "Back in the Saddle" in no time.  And feel better, please.  I'm running out of get well cards.

Love, Denise