McEntire Wins Top Country Music Award

Singer Reba McEntire won her first entertainer of the year trophy at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday and accepted it on behalf of “fellow Okies who have endured” the federal building bombing in Oklahoma City.

“I want to dedicate this to all those who were left behind,” said McEntire, who also won the female vocalist trophy.

The bombing weighed heavily on artists at the Universal City ceremony, many of them natives of Oklahoma: “Oklahoma, I love you,” said Garth Brooks, who hails from the Oklahoma City suburb of Yukon.

Brooks won the video award for “The Red Strokes,” and was given the Jim Reeves Memorial Award for furthering the cause of country music internationally.

Newcomer Tim McGraw took top album for “Not a Moment Too Soon.” He beat out Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson and Mary Chapin Carpenter. McGraw also received new male artist honors.

Alan Jackson, who went into the show with seven nominations, walked away with a single trophy, the top male vocalist award.

John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear” was picked song and single record of the year.

The Mavericks won awards for top vocal group and new group or duo. Brooks & Dunn won their fourth consecutive top duet award, and Chely Wright was the new female vocalist winner.