Talent Rewarded Reba Mcentire Picks Up Her Seventh Academy Of Country Music Award

Country queen 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 bombing.

“I want to dedicate this to all those who were left behind,” said McEntire, who was raised in Stringtown in southeast Oklahoma.

The bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building weighed heavy on many artists: “Oklahoma, I love you. We’re proud of you. Keep it up,” 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.

McEntire earlier won the female vocalist award. But the entertainer trophy had eluded her until Wednesday, when it became her seventh Academy of Country Music Award since 1985..

“That girl has worked her butt off and no one stopped to say thanks. So I’m very happy for her,” Brooks said.

Newcomer Tim McGraw took top album for “Not a Moment Too Soon.”

“This is totally unexpected,” said a stunned McGraw, who won over Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

He also received new male artist honors.

Jackson, who went into the show with seven nominations, walked away with a single trophy, the top male vocalist award. Gill, who had five nominations, left empty handed.

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

“Are you sure you got the right guy? I really wasn’t expecting to win this,” Montgomery said after winning the top single trophy. He was last year’s best new artist winner.

The Mavericks won awards for top vocal group and new group or duet: “Well now, this is too much,” said Mavericks member Robert Reynolds, husband of Trisha Yearwood. “From the Mavericks to the fans, we love you very much.”

Brooks & Dunn expressed surprise at winning their fourth consecutive top duet award: “You never know when the train is going to stop,” said Ronnie Dunn.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD WINNERS NAMED Entertainer: Reba McEntire Album: “Not a Moment Too Soon,” Tim McGraw. Song: “I Swear,” John Michael Montgomery. Single Record: “I Swear,” John Michael Montgomery Male Singer: Alan Jackson Female Singer: Reba McEntire Group: The Mavericks Duet: Brooks & Dunn New Male Singer: Tim McGraw New Female Singer: Chely Wright New Group Or Duet: The Mavericks Video: “The Red Strokes,” Garth Brooks. Radio Station: Nashville’s WSIX Disc Jockey: Gerry House of WSIX Nashville Nightclub: Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas Bass: Glenn Worf Drums: Eddie Bayers Fiddle: Mark O’connor Guitar: Brent Mason Keyboard: Matt Rollings Specialty Instrument: Terry Mcmillan (harmonica) Steel Guitar: Paul Franklin Pioneer Award: Loretta Lynn Jim Reeves Memorial Award: Garth Brooks - The Associated Press