Chesney, Underwood Win Top Country Music Awards, Again
George Strait, Brad Paisley also big winners in ho-hum event
By Jeffrey Jolson
Chesney
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 11/13/08 - Despite the hunt for new blood in country music, Renee Zellweger ex-husband Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year for the fourth time in five years at the CMAs while American Idol’s Carrie Underwood won her third female vocalist statuette.
Brad Paisley won for the second year in a row, making the whole event an exercise in predictability, rather than excitement. Even old-timer George Strait was a big CMA winner.
Still, the acceptance speeches and performances raised the old glory flag high, with more emphasis on personal glory except when honoring troops was a bigger crowd-pleaser. While the latter is indeed noble, it has become a little tired at country music awards over the last eight years.
“It’s very wonderful to stand up here and hold this trophy for the fourth time. I love what I’m doing,” said the black-clad Chesney, who tied Garth Brooks for most wins of the Country Music Association’s top award.
Underwood performed a ballad honoring fallen American soldiers. Wearing a jet-black floor-length gown, she was introduced by the widow of Master Sgt. James Ponder, who was killed in a 2005 helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
“Music has the power to help us heal, and I thank God for that power,” Leslie Ponder told the audience.
Chesney, 40, was chosen over fellow nominees Paisley, Strait, Sugarland and Keith Urban. Chesney previously won the prize in 2004, 2006 and 2007 in an 11-year career that has produced such hits as “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven,” “There Goes My Life,” and “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.”
Strait was honored in two categories, album of the year for “Troubadour” and single of the year for “I Saw God Today.” Strait has won the most CMA awards of any performer with 22.