TOBY KEITH - TOBY KEITH WINS BIG AT COUNTRY AWARDS

BROOKS + DUNN added to their record 17 ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC awards last night (26MAY04) in Las Vegas, but it was TOBY KEITH's night.

Brooks and Dunn were the surprise winners in the Top Vocal Duo Award, but Keith, who has often been overlooked by country music prize givers in the past, claimed four honours including Entertainer of The Year - for the second year running - and Male Artist of The Year.

Keith led the pack, but ALAN JACKSON, WILLIE NELSON and MARTINA McBRIDE were also celebrating at the Nevada event, when they picked up two honours apiece.

McBride won the Academy of Country Music/Home Depot Humanitarian Award - the first fan-voted award in the 39-year history of the event.

As the award's winner, McBride will have a community playground built in a city of her choice.

And RANDY TRAVIS was another surprise winner when his gospel tune THREE WOODEN HORSES beat Jackson, Keith and Brooks + Dunn to claim the Song of The Year honour.

The list of winners is:

Entertainer of The Year: TOBY KEITH

Top Male Vocalist: TOBY KEITH

Top Female Vocalist: MARTINA McBRIDE

Top New Artist: DIERKS BENTLEY

Top Vocal Group: RASCAL FLATTS

Top Vocal Duo: BROOKS + DUNN

Single of The Year: IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE by ALAN JACKSON + JIMMY BUFFETT

Song of The Year: THREE WOODEN CROSSES by RANDY TRAVIS

Album of The Year: SHOCK 'N Y'ALL by TOBY KEITH

Vocal Event of The Year: IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE by ALAN JACKSON + JIMMY BUFFETT

Launch Video of The Year: BEER FOR MY HORSES by TOBY KEITH and WILLIE NELSON

Gene Weed Special Achievement Award: WILLIE NELSON

Pioneer Award: RAY PRICE

Home Depot Humanitarian Award: MARTINA McBRIDE