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Taylor Swift Reinvents "Red" With All-Star CMA Awards Performance

Entertainer Enlists Well-Known Performers Vince Gill and Alison Krauss

As if Taylor Swift wasn't enough musical mojo for the already zealous 2013 CMA Awards show crowd Wednesday evening (Nov. 6), the six-time nominee recruited a well-known ensemble of collaborators worthy of making any artist green with envy. Enlisting the talents of two of her personal favorite artists, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill, Swift orchestrated one of the night's most dramatic and captivating moments with a star-studded performance of her multi-platinum-selling single, "Red."

Void of any crimson hues onstage, sans Swift's glossy red lips adding an extra pop of panache, the superstar adorned a sophisticated and elegant long, black dress while her musical partners each matched accordingly and perched on stools next to a dimly lit backdrop of gold.

Clearly, she was setting the scene for an acoustic work of art as she plucked away gently at her guitar while Krauss provided seamless vocals and impeccable fiddle-playing. Gill, too, lent his talents by way of unmatchable vocals and fancy finger-work on guitar. Backing the three were noteworthy musicians Sam Bush on mandolin, Edgar Meyer on acoustic bass and Eric Gardner on percussion.

Speaking prior to the night's performance, Swift shared how she envisioned this moment to transpire.

"I wanted to reimagine the song, 'Red,'" she said. "I wanted people to hear it in a different way, and I thought, 'I'm going to need to bring some really visionary artists onstage with me in order to completely make this a unique sound.' And I couldn't think of better musicians than the ones who are going to be up there with me."

Prior to the televised show, Swift also took home two CMA wins for musical event and music video of the year for "Highway Don't Care," her collaboration with Tim McGraw and Keith Urban. She has also earned nods for female vocalist, album of the year and entertainer of the year.

Swift is also set to receive the esteemed Pinnacle Award, a coveted honor that recognizes an artist for outstanding national and international achievements as well as for their strong impact on the genre. The award was first created and presented in 2005 to Garth Brooks.

View complete coverage of the 47th annual CMA Awards.

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