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Brooks & Dunn added to their record stash of nearly two dozen trophies and continued as the most honored artists in the history of the Academy of Country Music’s awards show with a gospel-laced song they admitted was risky to record. Brooks & Dunn won their 20th and 21st awards for top vocal duo and song of the year, “Believe,” co-written by Ronnie Dunn and Craig Wiseman. Kix Brooks said the duo knew the song was good but wasn’t sure it would be a hit.

Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards proved to be triumphant for Brad Paisley, who won three of the evening’s top awards. His “Time Well Wasted” (Arista Nashville) was named album of the year. Paisley also won the video and vocal event prizes for “When I Get Where I’m Going,” a hit collaboration with Dolly Parton.

During the three-hour ceremony at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Keith Urban and Sara Evans nabbed the top male and female vocalist honors.
Last year’s “American Idol” champ Carrie Underwood was a two time winner, taking home trophies for best new female vocalist and single of the year for “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” “I wouldn’t be here if God hadn’t opened all the doors to me,” she said.

Host Reba McEntire took a dig at the Dixie Chicks, whose singer, Natalie Maines, recently told Time magazine, “I don’t feel (President Bush) is owed any respect whatsoever.”
“I don’t know why I was so nervous about hosting this show this year,” McEntire said. “If the Dixie Chicks can sing with their foot in their mouths, surely I can host this sucker.” Her comments earned her enthusiastic applause from the audience.

There also was a medley of songs honoring the late Buck Owens. The creator of country music’s Bakersfield Sound died in March. His son, Buddy — wearing one of his father’s jackets — joined Dwight Yoakam in “Streets of Bakersfield” which Yoakam and Buck Owens had recorded in 1988.