The CMT Music Awards scene at the arena was quite tame compared with the packed-to-the-gills hullabaloo at Legend's Corner late last night.

Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley and Joe Nichols were among revelers who crossed Lower Broadway to take in Shooter Jennings' rocked-up country set, which started at about 11:15. Highlights included the Southern rockin' Steady at the Wheel and a killer version of Waylon Jennings' (he's Shooter's daddy, you know) Lonesome, On'ry and Mean.

— Peter Cooper, staff writer

The stars didn't have far to go for the invite-only CMT Music Awards after-party, which took over downtown nightclub The Red Iguana.

Gretchen Wilson chatted with newfound friends Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, with whom she performed during the awards show. Also in the house at the after-party: Keith Urban, Andie MacDowell, Deana Carter, Video Director of the Year Rick Schroder, Dierks Bentley (he gets around, doesn't he?), Big and Rich, some of the original Dukes of Hazzard crowd (who reunited for the awards show), including the original Daisy Duke Catherine Bach, and Jessica Harp, a new Warner Bros. artist who has been on tour with Michelle Branch for the past month.

The most unusual and interesting guest at the party, which was slammed with Music Row types, was Pete Stacker of Chicago, the voice of the Budweiser commercials — the one who says, ''We salute you. ...'' The connection? He also does some CMT work.

— Brad Schmitt, staff writer