Flatts, Pickler pick up CMT awards

NASHVILLE, April 14 (UPI) -- The band Rascal Flatts and singer Kellie Pickler were early winners Monday night at the 2008 CMT Music Awards ceremony in Nashville.

Rascal Flatts picked up the prize for group video of the year for "Take Me There," while Pickler, whose career began after she was on "American Idol," won the award for breakthrough video for her song "I Wonder."

Speaking by satellite, Pickler said: "This is the first time I ever won anything in my life. I'm so excited. ... Thank you to 'American Idol.' You are the rocket that launched my career."

Taylor Swift won the award for best female video for "Our Song."

LeAnn Rimes and Jon Bon Jovi earned the award for collaborative video for their duet "Till We Ain't Strangers No More."

"I wish Jon was here tonight. I had a lot of fun rolling around in bed with him," Rimes said with a laugh as the TV cameras found her husband in the audience. "Sorry, honey. I love you. You're hotter."

Sugarland won the award for duo video of the year for their song "Stay."

Father-and-daughter singers Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus were the CMT show's hosts.