The Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Brad Paisely and Montgomery Gentry were on the 2000 all-awards team, grabbing the lion's share of honors at the CMA, ACM, Grammy and TNN/Country Weekly Awards. Here's how the year's major awards events shook down.
CMA Awards
History was made in spades at the CMA Awards. The Dixie Chicks became the first group since Alabama (in 1984) to take the night's highest honor, Entertainer of the Year. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw turned the CMAs into a family affair, becoming the first-ever husband and wife to win Male and Female Vocalist. And Montgomery Gentry made history when the duo knocked Brooks & Dunn from the Vocal Duo perch they had ruled for eight straight years. Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" scored Single and Song of the Year wins.
The TNN/Country Weekly Awards
The TNN/Country Weekly Awards produced a sweep for fan favorite George Strait, who proved to be the people's choice five times. His trophies included Entertainer and Male Artist of the Year. Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks topped the list for Female Artist and Group/Duo, respectively. Brad Paisley was the breakthrough newcomer, copping The Discovery Award. Brad's touching "He Didn't Have To Be" inspired two more fan-voted nods, Video and Song of the Year. The Country Weekly Career Achievement Award went to a grateful Kenny Rogers.
The ACMs
The ACMs were led by the Dixie Chicks who captured a pair of awards, Top Vocal Group and Album (for Fly). Faith Hill was also a double winner, for Top Female Vocalist and her "Breathe" video. But Shania Twain grabbed her share of the spotlight with an Entertainer of the Year victory, while Brad Paisley and Montgomery Gentry took the newcomer categories. Lonestar's monster hit "Amazed" received Single and Song of the Year nods.
42nd Annual Grammy Awards
The Chicks and Shania ruled as dual winners at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards. The Chicks captured the country categories for Best Album (for Fly) and Best Performance by a Duo or Group (for "Ready To Run"). Shania turned a double play with Best Country Female Performance (for "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!") and Best Country Song (for "Come On Over"). The Grammys also saw fit to reward two veteran artists, George Jones (whose "Chronicles" received Best Male Performance) and Willie Nelson (who received a special Grammy for Lifetime Achievement).
