ACM's Entertainer of The Year

Would it be Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Keith Urban or Kenny Chesney? The winner of the 40th annual Academy of Country Music Entertainer Of The Year Award is Renee Zellweger's new husband, Kenny Chesney.

Wearing a black cowboy hat and a dark blue dress shirt to accept his award, Chesney said:

I go on stage every night at 9:15, but our show starts at 2:30 in the afternoon because all the fans are out there in the parking lot, partying and got our music cranked up. And I want to thank ya'll.

Chesney focused his kudos on his fans rather than his new wife in his acceptance speach.

Eight days ago he and Zellweger were together on the Caribbean island of St. John. On Tuesday night, Renee was not able to join her new husband, as she is busy working on a new movie.

"Triple Crown" Kenny Chesney

Since Chesney has won "ACM" Awards for Top New Vocalist, Top Male Vocalist, and now Entertainer of the Year, Kenny has earned the Academy of Country Music's Triple Crown, which salutes artists that have won in all three of these categories.

Chesney is one of only six artists to have earned this honor in the Academy's history. The Previous Triple Crown winners are Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Mickey Gilley, Merle Haggard and Barbara Mandrell.

Tim McGraw took top single and song honors for his hit "Live Like You Were Dying."

Faith Hill honored her husband and Country Music by performing on Tuesday night. She sang Mississippi Girl.

Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss' duet "Whiskey Lullaby" won an award for best video and vocal event.

Gretchen Wilson, who had the breakout hit of the year with Redneck Woman, took home honors for top new artist and top female vocalist.

Wilson cried as she accepted the second trophy, which had gone to Martina McBride each of the past three years.

Both Krauss and Wilson won their first and second ever Academy of Country Music Awards on Tuesday night.

Veterans Brooks & Dunn beat out several newcomers for top vocal duo, their record 19th career award.

George Strait, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson were among those honored for career milestones at the 40th annual event.

Garth Brooks accepted the Academy of Country Music Pioneer Award on behalf of the late pro-rodeo champion and music maverick Chris LeDoux.

The Humanitarian Award went to Neal McCoy, who said he was "tickled to death."

Known as the first "fan-voted" award in the Academy's history, this honor salutes an artist or group in the country music industry who is committed to serving others, has a generosity of spirit and a dedication to helping build the dreams of those in need.

As the award's winner, McCoy will have a community playground built in a city of his choice through the efforts of The Home Depot and KaBOOM!, a non-profit organization that brings together volunteers to build much-needed playgrounds in one-day "barn raising" construction events.

Other winners included:

Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts

At 1:40am in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Keith Urban accepted the top male vocalist and album of the year award for his "Be Here" which was produced by Urban and Dann Huff.

Urban said:

I'm blown away.

It's like 20 to two in the morning, but this is the best wake-up call I've ever had.

Those awarded in advance included:

Jim Reeves Memorial Award: Charlie Nagatani
Producer: James Stroud
Audio engineer: Ron "Snake" Reynolds
Bass player: Glenn Worf
Fiddle player: Stuart Duncan
Guitar player: Brent Mason
Percussionist/drummer: Lonnie Wilson
Piano/keyboard player: Steve Nathan
Specialty instrument player: Randy Scruggs (guitar)
Steel guitar player: Dan Dugmore
On-air personality: Tim & Willy, KNIX, Phoenix
Radio station: WIVK , Knoxville, Tennessee
Casino: Mandalay Bay Resort
Nightclub: Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, Bakersfield, California
Talent buyer/promoter: Brian O'Connell (Clear Channel Entertainment).

About The Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 with a mission to support, promote and enhance the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The Academy is best known for presenting its annual ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, which are televised live on CBS and honor excellence among the industry's brightest stars.

The Academy, which is comprised of 3,800+ professional members and a newly established Associate Membership, is headquartered in Burbank, California.

For this year's award nominees, recipients and performers go to:

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners!

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "feelin' the sand beneath your feet" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

When The Sun Went Down in St. John May 9th Kenny Chesney Wed Renee Zellweger