Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift accepted their trophies at the CMT Artists of the Year taping on Tuesday night in Nashville. The special will 

Rob Lowe hosted the all-star special at the Bridgestone Arena, airing Dec. 13 on CMT at 9/8c.

All-American Rejects, Gavin DeGraw and Joe Walsh sang tributes to Swift, Chesney and Paisley, respectively.

Meanwhile, Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum delivered their own live performances.

The biggest buzz of the night involved Hank Williams Jr. who walked offstage right in the middle of his duet with CMT honoree Jason Aldean. 

Hank Jr.'s publicist said the country music legend "didn't feel like he was giving an adequate performance while joining Jason on his song, Tattoos on This Town.'

And Williams clarified it all further in a statement to Country Weekly, saying: "I've heard people mess up my songs and screw up [Hank Williams Sr.] songs. I was here to honor Jason, a kid I really like. When I walked out there, it didn't feel right, it didn't sound right. I didn't want to disrespect him."

Other highlights of the taping:

    Joe Walsh jammed with honoree Brad Paisley on Joe's song "Life's Been Good."
    Lionel Richie presented an Artist of the Year trophy to Jason Aldean.
    Retired Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa and Saints head coach Sean Payton showed up to give a trophy to sports-loving Kenny Chesney.

View photos from CMT Artists of the Year.
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