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Strawberry Festival plays role in Taylor Swift's CMA win

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By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2009

PLANT CITY - The Florida Strawberry Festival played a role – albeit a small one – in Taylor Swift's selection as the youngest person to win the Country Music Association's prestigious entertainer of the year award.

The festival was among the 6,000 voting members of the CMA and cast its entertainer of the year ballot for the 19-year-old singer. She played March 1 to a sold-out festival crowd, and became a favorite with festival officials for her charm.

"She was just adorable. I can't say enough good about her," festival general manager Paul Davis said.

"I'm so thrilled for her."

Besides entertainer of the year, she also won in the following CMA categories: album of the year, "Fearless"; female vocalist of the year; and music video of the year, "Love Story." She was the first solo female act in the decade to win entertainer of the year.

The ceremony was aired live Wednesday from Nashville, Tenn.

The Florida Strawberry Festival would love an encore visit but Davis doesn't anticipate it for at least a couple of years.

"We would love to have her back at some point. She's so much in demand."

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