Brooks & Dunn, Shania Twain Top Country Music Awards

Brooks & Dunn were named top entertainers of the year and Canadian Shania Twain continued her freshman hot streak Wednesday at the 31st annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held in Universal City.

“I think back to bars and hog killings I played 25 years ago. I kind of know now how it feels to climb Mt. Everest and plant a flag,” said Kix Brooks, who with partner Ronnie Dunn also won the best duet award.

Twain won the album trophy for “The Woman in Me” and also was named best new female singer.

“This is a really special award for me to win because you’re only new for a very short period of time and I cherish it very much,” Twain told the audience at the Universal Amphitheatre, where stars arrived in boots, Stetsons, rhinestone belt buckles, neon-bright feather boas and lots of big hair rising above lace and sequins.

Gentleman cowboy George Strait’s “Check Yes or No” was the single of the year and Tracy Byrd’s romantic ballad “The Keeper of the Stars” was top song.

Alan Jackson was chosen top male singer and Patty Loveless was named top female vocalist. The Mavericks won a second consecutive best group award.

Twain was bubbling backstage after winning the latest in a string of honors for her breakthrough album. “I really feel I have everything I ever wanted. I just feel like I’m on top of the world right now,” she said.

The Mavericks won a second consecutive best group award, the group’s third Academy of Country Music trophy. Last year, they also won for top new group.

Lonestar got the new group trophy and newcomer Bryan White got a standing ovation when his name was called for the new male artist award.

“I couldn’t be happier,” White said backstage. “I don’t even have a mantel. I have a dresser, that’s where it’s going until I get a house with a mantel.”

Jeff Carson’s sentimental “The Car” won the top video trophy.

Merle Haggard won the pioneer award for his outstanding efforts in the field of country music.

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, best-known for his routines about rednecks and for his TV show, was given the academy’s Special Achievement Award for promoting country music.

Winners were selected by the nearly 3,000 members of the Academy of Country Music.