Patriotism was at an all-time high at the 37th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, airing Wednesday night on CBS.
Country great Alan Jackson took home three awards, including two for his moving anthem to the Sept. 11 victims, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” as well as winning the award for top male vocalist.
“I don’t feel like I can accept the award for this song without sharing it and dedicating it to the thousands of people–men, women and children–who died and suffered and are still suffering all because of that cowardly and heartless attack on America and mankind,” an emotional Jackson told the audience as he accepted his award.
Country duo Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn were also big winners for the evening, snagging three awards, including entertainer of the year, top vocal duo and best video for their song “Only In America.”
When asked backstage why there has been a prevalence for “old-fashioned patriotism” at the show, Reuters reported Dunn explained, “It’s the new hip thing. We’re very proud to be Americans.”
Other winners of the evening included Martina McBride as top female vocalist, who thanked another country veteran–the show’s host, Reba McEntire–for “set[ting] the standard for all of the females in country music.”
The soundtrack from the Coen brothers film O Brother, Where Art Thou? took home album of the year.
The show was kept at a fast and entertaining pace as many performers took the stage. A few of the highlights included a tribute to Waylon Jennings, who died in February, and hip-hop rocker Kid Rock doing a hilarious duet with Hank Williams Jr., parodying their bad-boy images.
