Brooks shares recognition with Strait, McEntire

The Associated Press

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Garth Brooks was named Artist of the Decade at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday and the Texas trio Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill each won three trophies.

Brooks is the best-selling male singer in music history. Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn and Alabama won in previous decades. Jay Leno presented the trophy, given for the recording star who best represented the image of country music through appearances and recordings. Brooks, who has sold more than 95 million albums, said he wasn't deserving of the recognition. "For me there's two artists in our industry that I think we have very much taken for granted -- I don't mean to offend anybody, I'm just telling you like it is," Brooks told the audience, saying he wanted to cut the plaque in half. "George (Strait) isn't here for one half," he continued. "The other half I think we need to give to an artist that has given everything an artist can give to country music, and I don't think been thanked near enough." Brooks left the stage to hand the award to Reba McEntire, but to his surprise she wasn't in her seat. The gesture drew wild cheers anyway. The Dallas-based Dixie Chicks, sisters Martie Siedel and Emily Erwin and friend Natalie Maines, won album of the year for "Wide Open Spaces" as well as top group and best new group. Steve Wariner's oh-so-sad "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" was top song and Hill's upbeat "This Kiss" was best single. "This is my first one!" said the jubilant Wariner, who shared the songwriting honor with fellow composer Billy Kirsch. "I'm so humbled," said Hill, who began the show with a leading six nominations. She also won the video award for "This Kiss" and shared the vocal event of the year award with husband Tim McGraw for their duet "Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me." Newcomer Jo Dee Messina, produced by McGraw, won the new female vocalist award. Atlanta's Mark Wills, known for his ballad "Wish You Were Here," was the new male vocalist winner. "Is it OK to cry now?" Wills asked. Shania Twain was presented the Recording Industry Association of America's first diamond award for recognition of 10 million in album sales. It was a double-diamond for the Canadian sensation, who sold more than 10 million copies each of "The Woman in Me" and "Come on Over." Numerous performances were jammed into the show produced by Dick Clark, who boasted a host-free three-hour ceremony would guarantee a fast pace. A special Pioneer Award was presented to Glen Campbell, who couldn't believe it was already time in his career for such an honor. "I can't tell you how short a period it seems like -- 32 years -- to 1967, and now I'm up here getting the Pioneer Award. Then I was getting the go get 'em award, you know. Time flies when you're having a big time," Campbell said. Winners were selected by the 3,000 members of the Academy of Country Music.

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