Alan Jackson dominates CMA Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Alan Jackson couldn’t go wrong Wednesday, taking home his second entertainer of the year award and four other honors at the annual Country Music Association Awards.
His five awards tied a record for most received in one year. Johnny Cash had that many in 1969, as did Vince Gill in 1993.
“CMA’s been a little too generous to me tonight,” Jackson said while accepting the top honor. “There’s probably people who are a little more exciting on stage, but I just walk out there and sing.”
Jackson, who was nominated a record 10 times, was also named male vocalist of the year, won album of the year for “Drive,” and song and single of the year for his Sept. 11-themed “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” His debut of the song at last year’s telecast stopped the show.
Jackson’s album award was the second such nod of his career. His first came in 1994 when he shared the honor for his contribution to the all-star collaboration “Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles.” He won entertainer of the year for the first time in 1995.
An emotional Martina McBride accepted her second female vocalist of the year award after performing her new single “Concrete Angel” for the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry House. She also won in 1999.
“I was not prepared for this emotion that I’m feeling, it’s just so amazing that I get to live this dream,” she said, her voice cracking as she wiped away tears.
The Dixie Chicks were named vocal group of the year for the fourth time; Brooks & Dunn took home their 10th award for vocal duo of the year; and Brad Paisley beat out Jackson for music video of the year honors for “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song).”
The night also signaled the return of Shania Twain to the national spotlight. She added a bit of pop to the show, bounding onto the stage in a black catsuit to sing “I’m Gonna Getcha Good” — her first network performance since beginning an almost three-year hiatus in 1999, when she was CMA entertainer of the year.
“It didn’t have the scary impact that I thought it would,” Twain said of her performance. Her new CD “Up!” hits stores on November 19th.
Gill, hosting the show for the 11th straight year, joked after Twain’s performance about his yearly effort to lose weight before the awards.
“I’ve lost 26 pounds for this year’s show. I lose 20 more, I’m showing my belly button like (Twain),” he said with a laugh.
Dolly Parton welcomed the Country Music Hall of Fame’s newest inductees — Bill Carlisle and Porter Wagoner — with a video montage of their careers.
“I like to think of myself as a link, a link between the real pioneers of country music and the stars of tomorrow,” Wagoner said after taking the stage. Carlisle waved from his seat in the audience, but didn’t speak.
Country trio Rascal Flatts won the Horizon Award, which goes to a performer or group considered to have good career prospects.
Before the show, Willie Nelson received the vocal event of the year award for “Mendocino County Line,” his single with Lee Ann Womack. And Jerry Douglas, who plays dobro with Alison Krauss and Union Station, was named musician of the year.
Country music sales are up in a generally sluggish year industry-wide. As of Oct. 27, country music sales for 2002 totaled 51.9 million, up 5.5 percent from the same period last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Overall music sales were down 10.5 percent over the same period.
The CMA is a trade organization which promotes country music. About 6,000 members nominate and vote for award winners.
ENTERTAINER
Alan Jackson
MALE VOCALIST
Alan Jackson
FEMALE VOCALIST
Martina McBride
HORIZON AWARD (for most promising artist)
Rascal Flatts
VOCAL GROUP
Dixie Chicks
VOCAL DUO
Brooks & Dunn
SINGLE (award to artist and producers)
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning); Alan Jackson; producer Keith Stegall
ALBUM (award to artist and producer)
Drive; Alan Jackson; producer Keith Stegall
SONG (award to songwriter and primary publisher)
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning); Alan Jackson; EMI April Music/Tri-Angels Music
VOCAL EVENT
Mendocino County Line; Willie Nelson, Lee Ann Womack
MUSICIAN
Jerry Douglas, dobro
MUSIC VIDEO (award to artist and director)
I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song); Brad Paisley; director Peter Zavadil
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