Sitting at the edge of the stage singing "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" to a hushed audience, LeAnn Rimes seemed way ahead of her designation by fan voters as a "star of tomorrow."
The 14-year-old newcomer was co-host of the 31st TNN Music City News Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House Monday with old pros George Jones and Randy Travis. She also picked up the award for female star of tomorrow and modeled a succession of gowns with poise.But is was her performances of the Hank Williams Sr. classic and the 1935 Patsy Montana hit, "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," that sealed it.
Alan Jackson, the evening's big winner, accepted with typical humility the top award as entertainer of the year and another one for best male vocalist.
Jackson reacted to winning his fifth straight honor for best entertainer, and sixth for best male vocalist, by thanking "God and the Grand Ole Opry for country music. Rimes chose the occasion of her award to show some moxie.
She noted that fans bought her breakthrough hit "Blue" in droves while many radio programmers stayed on the fence in 1996.
"I know who got me here," she said, retelling the tale of how "Blue" was the top-selling country single for over 20 weeks while only reaching No. 10 in the industry charts. "Thanks to the fans."
The TNN Music City News Awards are among three major country awards shows in which fans pick the winners. Industry insiders choose who gets awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
The fans stuck again with old favorites like Jackson this year. Brooks & Dunn won best vocal duo for the fourth straight year, and Jeff Foxworthy won best comedian for the third time. Sawyer Brown picked up it's fifth best vocal band trophy. Lorrie Morgan won her second best female vocalist award and another for best vocal collaboration for "By My Side" with Jon Randall. The pair have since married.
There was one upset victory. Billy Ray Cyrus, of "Achy Breaky Heart" fame won best single for his bluegrass-tinged "Trail of Tears." Fans voted for it over bigger hits by George Strait, Jackson, Vince Gill and Rimes.
Here's a complete list of the winners:
Entertainer: Alan Jackson.
Male artist: Alan Jackson.
Female artist: Lorrie Morgan.
Comedian: Jeff Foxworthy.
Male star of tomorrow: Wade Hayes.
Female star of tomorrow: LeAnn Rimes.
Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn.
Vocal Group: The Statler Brothers.
Vocal Band: Sawyer Brown.
Christian country artist: Ricky Van Shelton.
Vocal collaboration: Lorrie Morgan & Jon Randall, "By My Side." Single: Billy Ray Cyrus, "Trail of Tears."
Video: Neal McCoy, "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye."
Album: George Strait, "Blue Clear Sky."
Living legend: Charley Pride.
Minnie Pearl Award (for charity work): George Lindsey.