Underwood takes top honor

April 6, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Carrie Underwood became the first female act to win entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards since the Dixie Chicks did it back in 2000.

Underwood’s victory Sunday interrupted Kenny Chesney’s four-year streak of winning the award. If Chesney had won, he would have tied Alabama for most wins in a row. Underwood became only the seventh female act to win it, putting her alongside Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks.

The entertainer of the year trophy is the highest honor at the ACM Awards.

Jamey Johnson took home song of the year honors and Rascal Flatts won their seventh in a row for top vocal group at the Academy of Country Music Awards, but Sunday’s ceremony was highlighted by performances that ranged from extravagant to poignant, perhaps none more so than John Rich’s angry anthem “Shuttin’ Detroit Down.”

“I’d like to dedicate this song tonight to all the hard working taxpaying Americans from coast to coast who love this country as much as I do,” Rich said to the audience while holding a guitar tagged with the sticker “Made in the U.S.A.”

“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.

Taylor Swift had four nominations going into Sunday’s show, but for being the top-selling artist in country and pop music, she got a special, unexpected honor after she performed the ballad “You’re Not Sorry” following a magical entrance courtesy of magician David Copperfield.

McEntire stopped her and presented her with a special ACM Crystal Milestone Award for bringing so many young people to country music.

“Are you serious?” a stunned Swift asked McEntire then hugged her. “To you guys who come to my show. I have absolutely fallen in love with you and will never forget you, ever.”

Sugarland broke Brooks & Dunn’s lock on the vocal duo award, while “Dancing with the Stars” champ Julianne Hough took the top new artist trophy during Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards.

“Thank you for dreaming back every time we dream,” said Sugarland’s Kristian Bush. The duo kept Brooks & Dunn from winning the category for the 14th straight year.

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.”

Earlier, newcomer Johnson beat out veterans like George Strait and Brad Paisley in nabbing the night’s first honor, song of the year for his poignant hit about an old man looking back on his life, “Living in Color.”

“Thanks to my band going in off day and producing an off record,” Johnson quipped in a brief acceptance speech.

The show began by featuring country’s top superstars in a medley of hits anchored by Brooks & Dunn’s “Play Something Country.” It included Taylor Swift’s fiery “Picture to Burn,” Sugarland’s “It Happens,” Carrie Underwood’s “All American Girl” and Rascal Flatts’ “Me and My Gang.”

Later, Keith Urban performed guitar-driven “Kiss a Girl,” with giant screen behind him flashing a montage of photos.