SHORT TAKES : Alabama Wins Cash Box Award

The country group Alabama has won the Entertainer of the Year honor at the first Cash Box magazine Nashville Music Awards. Patty Loveless and Rodney Crowell were chosen top vocalists at Wednesday night’s ceremony at the Opryland Hotel. Crowell also won best country album for “Diamonds and Dirt.”

“I’m No Stranger to the Rain” by the late Keith Whitley was voted single record of the year.

Veteran singer George Jones won the Living Proof Award for longtime contributions to country music.

Winners were chosen by the trade publication’s representatives from radio stations and retail record stores who also determine the magazine’s music popularity charts.