Garth Brooks won his third straight entertainer-of-the-year trophy at the Academy of Country Music Awards for what he confessed is "not rocket science - it's about raising hell and having fun."
The denim-and-rhinestone audience at the 28th annual ceremony gave him a standing ovation Tuesday night as he picked up the award.The Southern duo Brooks & Dunn walked away with three awards - top vocal duet, best album for "Brand New Man" and single record for "Boot Scootin' Boogie," which led the Western line-dancing craze over the past year.
"We're having so much fun with this, we feel guilty coming up here," Ronnie Dunn said as his partner, Kix Brooks, held one of their trophies aloft.
Vince Gill was the only other multiple winner, taking the top male vocalist award and the best song trophy for "I Still Believe in You."
"Achy Breaky Heart" sensation Billy Ray Cyrus was shut out. He had been nominated in four categories.
Brooks, who took a break from touring last year to spend more time with his wife and daughter, said that he is rested now and that his latest honor was an appropriate lead-in to his return to the road on July 30.
During his three years of fame, he said, he's come to realize one thing about country music: "It's not rocket science - it's about raising hell and having fun."
Mary-Chapin Carpenter, led by the success of her ribald smash "I Feel Lucky," won the female vocalist trophy.
Tanya Tucker, who won best video honors for "Two Sparrows in a Hurricane," spoke about her hairdresser-friend Michael Tovar, who is dying of AIDS.
"I don't think country music has gotten involved in AIDS projects and I think we need to step out," Tucker said backstage.
The academy's Pioneer Award for unprecedented achievement went to George Jones, known for his songs of hard-drinking pain. Past winners include Hank Williams, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.
Winners at the 28th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Garth Brooks.
MALE VOCALIST: Vince Gill.
FEMALE VOCALIST: Mary-Chapin Carpenter.
GROUP: Diamond Rio.
DUET: Brooks & Dunn.
NEW MALE VOCALIST: Tracy Lawrence.
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST: Michelle Wright.
NEW GROUP OR DUET: Confederate Railroad.
SINGLE RECORD: "Boot Scootin' Boogie," Brooks & Dunn.
SONG: "I Still Believe in You," Vince Gill.
ALBUM: "Brand New Man," Brooks & Dunn.
VIDEO: "Two Sparrows in a Hurricane," Tanya Tucker.
PIONEER AWARD (for outstanding achievement): George Jones.
TEX RITTER AWARD (to movie soundtrack): "Pure Country," George Strait.
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR: KNIX in Phoenix.
DISC JOCKEY OF THE YEAR: Jon Conlon of WGKX radio in Memphis.
NIGHT CLUB OF THE YEAR: Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, Texas.
INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORIES
BASS: Glenn Worf
DRUMS: Eddie Bayers
FIDDLE: Mark O'Connor
GUITAR: John Jorgenson
KEYBOARD: Matt Rollings
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT: Jerry Douglas (dobro)
STEEL GUITAR: Jay Dee Maness