It's been Taylor Swift's year, and Wednesday was her night as she became the youngest person and the first solo female act in a decade to win the Country Music Association's (CMA) entertainer of the year award.

Swift won all four awards for which she was nominated, making history on a historic night that included Darius Rucker's win as new artiste.

"I'll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me," Swift said through tears as she accepted the association's highest honour during ceremonies at Sommet Center.

Stranglehold

The 19-year-old crossover sensation beat the biggest names in country and snapped Kenny Chesney's stranglehold on the category: He won three straight and four of the last five. She also ended Carrie Underwood's three-year dominance in the female vocalist category.

Rucker was also a fan favourite, running into the crowd during his performance of Alright. The Hootie and the Blowfish frontman, who has sold one million copies of his first country album, Learn to Live, became the second African American to win a major individual CMA.

He joins Charley Pride, who won entertainer of the year in 1971 and male vocalist in 1971-72.

"First of all, to the fans, thank y'all for accepting me," the jubilant Rucker said. "And I think most importantly, to country radio, you took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, South Carolina. Thank you so much for that!"

Swift also won album of the year for Fearless, the top-selling CD of the year, and video of the year for Love Story.