Toby Keith may have been the busiest man in Nashville during Monday night’s (April 7th, 2003) CMT Flameworthy 2003 Video Music Awards.

Keith’s patriotic anthem, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," netted him wins in the male video of the year, cocky video of the year and overall video of the year categories. He also co-hosted the show with Pamela Anderson and performed two songs.

Tim McGraw received two Flameworthy awards, and other honors went to Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Joe Nichols, Rascal Flatts, Shania Twain and the video production team of Deaton Flanigen.

Johnny Cash was honored with a special Flameworthy award for his career achievements and musical contributions during the past five decades. Vince Gill hosted the segment that featured video comments from daughter Rosanne Cash, the Dixie Chicks, Kris Kristofferson, Wynonna, U2’s Bono, record producer Rick Rubin, Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and video director Mark Romanek. Cash, who recently returned home after being hospitalized for pneumonia, was not present at the awards show.

"I accept this for him in all humility," wife June Carter Cash told the crowd. "He’s one of the most humble guys I know. He’s one of the best husbands that’s ever lived. And he’s just one of the best country music entertainers I’ve ever known."

The war with Iraq was never far away from the minds of the audience, and was mentioned several times throughout the festivities. Darryl Worley made a surprise appearance to perform his patriotic chart-topper, "Have You Forgotten?" Toby Keith displayed his patriotism and sense of country music history by closing the show with a spirited version of Merle Haggard’s "The Fightin’ Side of Me," following it up with his own "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."

Comic-actress Brett Butler got the biggest rise from the crowd when she alluded to the Dixie Chicks’ recent comment regarding President Bush. Explaining that the south is "a place of sin and redemption and, hopefully, forgiveness," Butler added, "Maybe in a couple weeks we’ll just all try to forgive the Dixie Chicks, okay?" When boos began drifting onstage from the crowd, Butler joked, "You boo me up in that seat. By the time you get down here to kick my ass, I’ll be gone." She added, "Everybody in here’s a good American, so just stop it."

Here are the winners in each category:

FLAMEWORTHY BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist's major label debut album; Awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
* Joe Nichols - "Brokenheartsville"

FLAMEWORTHY FASHION PLATE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best dressed/styled artist in a video (individual, group or duo)
* Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"

FLAMEWORTHY CONCEPT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Most creative concept that broadens the scope of the song's story; Awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

* Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Sexiest video by a female artist; Awarded to the artist
* Faith Hill - "When The Lights Go Down"

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Sexiest video by a male artist; Awarded to the artist
* Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Video with the best direction (video that best captures the mood, tempo, and intensity of the song); Awarded to the video director for work on a specific video
* Deaton Flanigen - Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel"

FLAMEWORTHY COCKY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Video with the most attitude; Awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
* Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"

FLAMEWORTHY GROUP/DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group or duo; Awarded to the artist
* Rascal Flatts - "These Days"

FLAMEWORTHY FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; Awarded to the artist
* Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel"

FLAMEWORTHY MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; Awarded to the artist
* Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; Awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo). Final five nominees announced on live telecast; voting held online during the show.
* Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"