Brooks’ Big Night--Awards, New Baby

An absent Garth Brooks upstaged multiple award winners Alan Jackson and John Michael Montgomery at the 29th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Tuesday night, taking the top honors as entertainer of the year moments after his wife gave birth in Nashville.

Jackson’s “A Lot About Livin’ (and a Little ‘bout Love)” was named album of the year and his “Chatahoochee” was selected as the best single. Montgomery took the best new male vocalist award and his hit “I Love the Way You Love Me” won the award as song of the year for the singer and its writers, Victoria Shaw and Chuck Cannon.

Vince Gill and Wynonna Judd were named best male and female vocalists. Little Texas won the vocal group award, and Brooks & Dunn took the award for vocal duet.

Brooks’ “We Shall Be Free” was named video of the year.

Shortly before the end of the live telecast from the Universal Amphitheatre, it was announced that Brooks’ wife, Sandy, had just given birth to their second daughter.