Brooks & Dunn Win 3 Country Awards : Music: Their ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie’ is best single. Garth Brooks is top entertainer for third year in a row.

Brooks & Dunn, whose honky-tonk “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” has served as a sort of theme song for the Western line-dancing craze, scooted away with three of their genre’s top trophies Tuesday at the 28th annual Country Music Awards.

With only two albums to their name, the Nashville duo garnered awards for best vocal duet, best album (“Brand New Man”) and best single (“Boot Scootin’ Boogie”).

Meanwhile, singer Garth Brooks, whose fusion of country and rock has sold more than 30 million albums, won his third straight entertainer of the year award.

“We’re having so much fun with this, we feel guilty coming up here,” Ronnie Dunn exulted as his partner, Kix Brooks, hefted one of their Stetson-shaped awards.

Brooks concurred. In a post-award news conference, he told reporters that he has come to realize one thing about country music: “It’s not rocket science; it’s about raising hell and having fun.”

Balladeer Vince Gill also was a multiple winner, taking home the prizes for top male vocalist and song of the year, “I Believe in You.”

Mary-Chapin Carpenter, who scored a smash hit with her bawdy, upbeat “I Feel Lucky,” was named top female vocalist.

In the newcomers categories, Tracy Lawrence, known for his hit single “Alibis,” was named best new male vocalist. Michelle Wright was named top new female vocalist for her hit, “Take It Like a Man.”

Among the bands, the hard-driving Diamond Rio won their second consecutive top group award, while Confederate Railroad, a Georgia quintet, took the prize for top new vocal group or duet.

However, the backstage buzz was all about Billy Ray Cyrus, who was shut out despite four nominations and a smash hit that earlier this year swept the nation’s nightclubs--”Achy Breaky Heart.”

The academy’s Pioneer Award for outstanding and unprecedented achievement, meanwhile, went to George Jones, known for his cryin’-in-your-beer songs about pain. Past winners include Johnny Cash, Roy Rogers and Willie Nelson.

Reba McEntire, Randy Owen of the group Alabama and George Strait hosted the ceremony at the Universal Amphitheatre, which was broadcast by NBC-TV.