Underwood, Swift, Hough: Women rule the ACMs

LAS VEGAS – The women of country have taken the wheel.
Carrie Underwood captured entertainer of the year on Sunday night at the Academy of Country Music Awards, winning the top honour that has eluded women for nearly a decade, while Taylor Swift won album of the year and Julianne Hough snagged top new artist.

Country music’s boys’ club was adjourned for the year when Underwood broke Kenny Chesney’s four-year win streak and became the first woman to hold the title since the Dixie Chicks in 2000. The significance wasn’t lost on the 26-year-old superstar.’I accepted that award on behalf of myself and my fans, but also on behalf of other women who came before me that kicked butt but never got the recognition they deserved,’ Underwood said. ‘I can’t wait (for) the day, which I hope is in the very near future, where having females in the category is no big deal whatsoever.’In 39 years of recognising a top entertainer, the academy has granted the honour to a woman seven times, including Underwood. The others were Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks. Each won once.Chesney, who missed the chance to tie Alabama for most entertainer of the year awards, kissed Underwood as she walked up to accept the honour.’He told me he was proud of me,’ said Underwood, who’s enjoyed astounding success since winning ‘American Idol’ in 2005 with eight No 1 country hits including the signature single, ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’.Swift, another woman dominating not only country music but the entire industry, won album of the year for her sophomore disc ‘Fearless’. Both of Swift’s albums have topped the three million mark – a rare feat today. She’s connected with fans both young and old for her intensely personal songs, which she writes usually on her own or with a co-writer.Backstage, Swift told reporters that she ‘obsessed’ over making ‘Fearless’.’I laboured over this album for two years,’ she said. ‘The fact that you can write songs in your bedroom about your feelings and boys and can win album of the year at the ACMs. I just didn’t think that was possible.’Swift, who had four nominations going into Sunday’s show, also got a special honour as McEntire presented her with an ACM Crystal Milestone Award for bringing so many young people to country music.A tearful Hough, who added country singer to her ‘Dancing with the Stars’ credentials, thanked ‘everybody that has followed me from the beginning and believed in me’. She bested Jake Owen and the Zac Brown Band for the honour.Other winners included Jamey Johnson, Sugarland, Trace Adkins and Brad Paisley.One of the night’s most memorable performances was John Rich’s angry anthem ‘Shuttin’ Detroit Down’.’I’d like to dedicate this song tonight to all the hardworking, taxpaying Americans from coast to coast who love this country as much as I do,’ Rich said while holding a guitar tagged with a ‘Made in the USA’ sticker.’We wrote this song specifically for you,’ he said before launching into his searing song that feeds into taxpayer resentment about the bailouts on Wall Street.Other performances included teen sensation Miley Cyrus, dancing atop a high staircase on stage; Heidi Newfield singing ‘Johnny and June’, inspired by the late Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, around an appropriate ring of fire; and Underwood in a burgundy dress so overwhelming that it took up most of the stage.Newcomer Johnson beat out veterans like George Strait and Paisley in nabbing the night’s first honour, song of the year for his poignant hit about an old man looking back on his life, ‘In Colour’.Sugarland broke Brooks & Dunn’s lock on the vocal duo award, and lead singer Jennifer Nettles received an ACM Crystal Milestone Award for her songwriting.Strait and Paisley led all nominees with six. Jamie Foxx introduced Strait’s performance of ‘Troubadour’, and joked that the country scene was getting more diverse.’Things are changing,’ Foxx said, mentioning his repeat appearance at the ACMs and Darius Rucker’s success on the country charts. – Nampa-AP