By M&C News May 16, 2007, 14:14 GMT
Kenny Chesney proved he was king of the boy’s club at the Academy of Country Music awards on Tuesday with his third consecutive entertainer of the year award. The award featured a host of male country singers (there were no female singers nominated) – including George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw.
During his acceptance speech, Chesney gave tribute to some of his country music heroes – including Strait and Keith Whitley.
In his acceptance, Chesney stated: “When I first started playing music, I was in college and I would go rent all my equipment and put it in the back of a pickup truck. The only thing I wanted to do was cut a record as good as Keith Whitley did, and I listened to that music over and over again.”
Country music duo Brooks & Dunn picked up their 14th vocal duo award. They were nominated in the category that also featured Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich and The Wreckers.
Kix Brooks stated the duo still enjoyed making music, and have no plans to stop any time soon: “It's still as much fun as its ever been, and we're going to keep doing it.”
Brooks & Dunn were also named the recipients of the Home Depot Humanitarian Award – which has also seen past honorees like Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride and Neal McCoy. The duo will have two playgrounds built in the cities of their choice.
Dunn stated: "It's a pretty cool thing. I told them we're a duo, so they should give us two. They didn't blink an eye." Dunn is expected to pick a place in Nashville for the playground and Brooks has chosen a place in Shreveport, La.
Country music icon George Strait, who had the most nominations of the night, took home the first award for song of the year. Strait’s “classic country” single “Give It Away” beat out some of the genres newest faces – including Carrie Underwood.
“Give It Away” songwriter Bill Anderson (who took the stage with Strait to receive the award) joked about his age and thanked the audience for making the song a hit. He stated: “I'm old enough to be Carrie Underwood's grandfather.”
Although Strait took the song of the year award from her, Carrie Underwood still collected a few awards of her own. The 2005 “American Idol” winner took home album of the year for her debut ‘Some Hearts,’ and also received top female vocalist.
Underwood thanked the show that helped launch her in the music industry and her fans. She said: “I would not be here if it were not for 'American Idol.' Thank you, fans. God bless you."
Another new face in country music, Miranda Lambert, took home the new female vocalist - which also saw another “American Idol” contestant Kellie Pickler nominated. Brad Paisley took home the male vocalist of the year – which was the singer’s only nomination for the evening. Rascal Flatts received the best vocal group award.
The award ceremony was hosted by Reba McEntire, and aired live on CBS from the MGM Grand hotel-casino. Performers included Martina McBride, Josh Turner, Toby Keith, Sugarland and Paisley.
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