Second fiddle no more: Urban claims 2 CMAs

November 16, 2005|Globe Staff

Kenny Chesney looked to be on the verge of tears -- and who could blame him? Chesney headlined stadiums this summer with Keith Urban as his opening act, yet Urban walked off with the entertainer of the year trophy at last night's Country Music Association Awards. Even though Chesney won the award last year, his loss must have been a bitter pill.

Urban, a heartthrob who was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, did console his fellow nominee in his acceptance speech. ''I've been out with Kenny last year and this year and I want to thank him for being so good to us," said Urban, who also won best male vocalist in the first-ever CMAs broadcast from New York's Madison Square Garden.

The big winner on the female side was Lee Ann Womack, who took home three trophies: single of the year for her cheating song, ''I May Hate Myself in the Morning," best album for her retro-sounding set ''There's More Where That Came From," and musical event of the year, sharing it with George Strait for ''Good News, Bad News."

However, the coveted best female vocalist award went to Gretchen Wilson (of ''Redneck Woman" fame), who topped stiff competition from Womack, Martina McBride, Alison Krauss, and Sara Evans.

As usual, there were surprises. Although Brad Paisley had six nominations, he was shut out. But perhaps the biggest shock was that blowhard country-rockers Big & Rich, despite multi-platinum sales, lost in the vocal duo category to Brooks & Dunn, then also were blanked for the Horizon Award (for best newcomer), which went to Dierks Bentley.

Once again, the night's many performances far outstripped the few awards handed out. The New York influence was apparent, with Paul Simon and Norah Jones joining Willie Nelson for ''Crazy," and Billy Joel appearing as a presenter. Bon Jovi also sang, and another quintessential New York moment came when Garth Brooks belted out a song during a live remote from Times Square.