Brooks & Dunn Win Top Award

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, once struggling solo artists before teaming up, were named Wednesday as the Country Music Association’s entertainers of the year.

In addition to the top honor at the 30th annual CMA Awards, Brooks & Dunn won their fifth consecutive award for best vocal duo.

“We’re going to be a duo for as long as you let us be a duo,” Dunn said during ceremonies at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Alan Jackson, last year’s entertainer of the year, did not win an award. Nor did 14-year-old LeAnn Rimes, nominated for two awards for her Patsy Cline sound-alike hit “Blue.”

George Strait was the evening’s sentimental favorite, winning his first CMA Awards since 1990. He was named by industry voters as best male vocalist, and took best album and single honors for “Blue Clear Sky” and “Check Yes or No.”

The other major awards went to the Mavericks for best group, and Patty Loveless for best female vocalist. Buck Owens, Ray Price and the late Patsy Montana were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.