Alan Jackson keeps it country with five awards

Alan Jackson took home his second entertainer of the year award and four other honours at the annual Country Music Association Awards.

His five awards at the Nashville, Tennessee, ceremony, tied a record for most received in one year.

Johnny Cash had that many in 1969, as did Vince Gill in 1993.

“CMA’s been a little too generous to me tonight,” Jackson said. ”There’s probably people who are a little more exciting on stage, but I just walk out there and sing.”

Jackson, who was nominated a record 10 times, was also named male vocalist of the year, won album of the year for Drive and song and single of the year for his September 11-themed Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning). His debut of the song at last year’s awards broadcast stopped the show.

Jackson’s album award was the second such nod of his career. His first came in 1994 when he shared the honour for his contribution to the all-star collaboration Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles. He won entertainer of the year for the first time in 1995.

An emotional Martina McBride accepted her second female vocalist of the year award after performing her new single, Concrete Angel for the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry House. She also won in 1999.

“I was not prepared for this emotion that I’m feeling, it’s just so amazing that I get to live this dream,” she said, her voice cracking as she wiped away tears.

The Dixie Chicks were named vocal group of the year for the fourth time, Brooks & Dunn took home their 10th award for vocal duo of the year and Brad Paisley beat Jackson for music video of the year honours for I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song).

Last night also signalled the return of Shania Twain to the national spotlight. She added a bit of pop to the show, bounding on to the stage in a black catsuit to sing I’m Gonna Getcha Good – her first network performance since beginning an almost three-year hiatus in 1999, when she was CMA entertainer of the year.

“It didn’t have the scary impact that I thought it would,” Twain said of her performance. She releases a new album later this month.

Vince Gill, hosting the show for the 11th straight year, joked after Twain’s performance about his yearly effort to lose weight before the awards.

“I’ve lost 26lbs for this year’s show. I lose 20 more, I’m showing my belly button like (Twain),” he said with a laugh.

Dolly Parton welcomed the Country Music Hall of Fame’s newest inductees – Bill Carlisle and Porter Wagoner – with a video montage of their careers.

“I like to think of myself as a link, a link between the real pioneers of country music and the stars of tomorrow,” Wagoner said after taking the stage. Carlisle waved from his seat in the audience, but didn’t speak.

Country trio Rascal Flatts won the Horizon Award, which goes to a performer or group considered to have good career prospects.

Before the show, Willie Nelson received the vocal event of the year award for Mendocino County Line, his single with Lee Ann Womack. And Jerry Douglas, who plays dobro with Alison Krauss and Union Station, was named musician of the year.

The CMA is a trade organisation which promotes country music. About 6,000 members nominate and vote for award winners.

LIST OF WINNERS:

Entertainer: Alan Jackson

Male Vocalist: Alan Jackson

Female Vocalist: Martina McBride

Horizon Award: Rascal Flatts

Vocal Group: Dixie Chicks

Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn

Single: Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) – Alan Jackson; producer Keith Stegall

Album: Drive – Alan Jackson; producer Keith Stegall

Song: Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) – Alan Jackson; EMI April Music/Tri-Angels Music

Vocal event: Mendocino County Line – Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack

Musician: Jerry Douglas, dobro

Music Video: I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song) – Brad Paisley; director Peter Zavadil