ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604260036
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF.
SOURCE: JEFF WILSON ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
Success is all the sweeter for Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, the kings of country music who began individual careers years ago by singing for their supper in honkytonks.
Brooks & Dunn were named entertainers of the year Wednesday night at the 31st annual Academy of Country Music Awards. They also won best duet.
``I think back to bars and hog killings I played 25 years ago. I kind of know now how it feels to climb Mount Everest and plant a flag,'' Brooks said backstage at the Universal Amphitheatre.
Canadian newcomer Shania Twain was the other double winner, taking the album award for ``The Woman in Me'' and winning best new female singer. ``The Woman in Me'' also won the country album Grammy this year.
Rhinestones glittered as stars arrived. They showed up in boots, Stetson hats and Texas-sized belt buckles. Big hair was everywhere.
The latest academy awards for Brooks & Dunn, whose hits include ``Boot Scootin' Boogie'' and ``My Maria'' give them nine in all.
``It's been a good day,'' Dunn said. ``It's been a long haul.''
Twain was bubbling backstage after winning the latest in a string of honors for her breakthrough album.
``I have everything I ever wanted. I just feel like I'm on top of the world right now,'' Twain said.
Gentleman cowboy George Strait's ``Check Yes or No'' was the single of the year and Tracy Byrd's romantic ballad ``The Keeper of the Stars'' was top song.
Alan Jackson was named the top male singer and Patty Loveless the top female vocalist. The Mavericks won a second consecutive best group award.
``I'm so proud to be a part of you, my sisters,'' Loveless said in a tribute to the women of country music. ``They are making some music that is blowing them away out there.''
Lonestar got the new group trophy and Bryan White got a standing ovation when his name was called for the new male artist award. He was at a loss for words, and nearly came to tears at one point.
``I don't even have a mantel. I have a dresser, that's where it's going until I get a house with a mantel,'' White said.
Asked about his influence on a younger generation, White said: ``I'd rather young folks listen to country music than any other kind of music because it's got such a great positive message. There's nothing bad about country music. There's no violence. It's always a good message.''
Jeff Carson's sentimental ``The Car'' won the top video trophy.
Merle Haggard won the Pioneer Award for his outstanding efforts in the field of country music.
Jeff Foxworthy, best-known for his ``You might be a redneck if ...'' comedy routine and TV show, got the Special Achievement Award for promoting country music.
Backstage, Foxworthy offered a new redneck joke: ``If you understood every word Jodie Foster said in the movie `Nell,' you might be a redneck.''
Faith Hill and Brooks & Dunn were hosts of the NBC show, which also featured Dwight Yoakam's tribute to Minnie Pearl, who died last month.
The show wasn't all inside the Amphitheatre.
Jay Leno showed up in a country-style black jacket embroidered, ``Possum, the other white meat.''
Toby Keith had a red plaid vest under his double-breasted black tuxedo, and Clay Walker sported a hubcap-sized belt buckle. Naomi Judd wore a silver sequined pant suit with plunging neckline.
Garth Brooks arrived in the most bland outfit: tan hat, tan denim shirt, tan belt, tan jeans and tan shoes.
Winners were selected by the nearly 3,000 members of the Academy of Country Music.
ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD WINNERS
Entertainer: Brooks & Dunn.
Album: ``The Woman in Me,'' Shania Twain.
Song: ``The Keeper of the Stars,'' Tracy Byrd.
Single: ``Check Yes or No,'' George Strait.
Male singer: Alan Jackson.
Female singer: Patty Loveless.
Group: The Mavericks.
Duet: Brooks & Dunn.
New male singer: Bryan White.
New female singer: Shania Twain.
New group or duet: Lonestar.
Video: ``The Car,'' Jeff Carson.
Radio station: KSIX Nashville
Disc jockey: Gerry House, KSIX Nashville
Nightclub: Crazy Horse Steak House & Saloon, Santa Ana, Calif.
Talent buyer and promoter: George Moffett, Variety Attractions, Zanesville, Ohio
Pioneer award: Merle Haggard.
Special achievement: Jeff Foxworthy
Bassist: Glenn Worf
Drummer: Eddie Bayers
Fiddler: Rob Hajacos
Guitarist: Brent Mason
Keyboardist: Matt Rollings
Steel guitarist: Paul Franklin
Specialty instrumentalist: Terry McMillan (harmonica)
LENGTH: Medium: 100 linesby CNB