News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep. 22, 1999
DIXIE CHICKS AND TIM MCGRAW MULTIPLE CMA AWARD WINNERS
SHANIA TWAIN NAMED ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
NASHVILLE – The Dixie Chicks and Tim McGraw were this year’s top award winners with three CMA Awards each during “The 33RD Annual CMA Awards” televised live on the CBS Television Network tonight. The Chicks won for Vocal Group of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Wide Open Spaces.” Tim McGraw captured wins for Male Vocalist of the Year and for Album of the Year for A PLACE IN THE SUN, along with Byron Gallimore and James Stroud for the album’s producer.
Shania Twain took home the Entertainer of the Year award for the first time. It marks the first time a female artist has won in that category in the past 13 years. Upon receiving the Award, Shania gave the emotional response, “I’m embarrassed that I’m crying, but I’ve been presented this Award by one of the most fabulous entertainers of our time, Reba McEntire.”
For the eighth consecutive year Brooks & Dunn won Vocal Duo of the Year, setting a record for the most wins in that category.
More than 40 Country luminaries, featuring a broad spectrum of the industry, appeared during the three-hour telecast. The night of excitement opened with the Dixie Chicks in a riveting Celtic performance of “Ready To Run.”
The night was full of standing ovations, collaborations and many surprises. Martina McBride received a standing ovation for her Female Vocalist of the Year win. This was her first win since 1994, when she took home the trophy for Music Video of the Year with “Independence Day.”
Alan Jackson brought the audience to its feet with his surprise acknowledgement of George Jones’ “Choices” during his own featured performance. Hall of Fame member Merle Haggard and multi-platinum pop artist Jewel also received a standing ovation for Merle’s classic hit “That’s The Way Love Goes.” Collaborations continued to be a theme as pop sensation ‘N Sync joined Alabama for their hit single “God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You.”
Faith Hill gave the first television performance of her next single “Breathe,” while Dwight Yoakam, along with the help of 16 dancers called the “local Yoakam line dancers,” lit up the stage with his popular rendition of Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
Johnny Bond, Dolly Parton and Conway Twitty became the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. As Kenny Rogers introduced Parton to accept her honor, the audience gave her a standing ovation. She exclaimed, “I feel like I died and went to hillbilly heaven!” She went on to say, “Porter Wagoner played a big part in my life. A lot of wonderful things happened to me because he gave me my first big break.” The audience also acknowledged the late Conway Twitty for his honor with a standing ovation.
After Shania Twain performed the title track from her multi-platinum album COME ON OVER she was surprised with the presentation of the CMA International Artist Achievement Award which recognizes global impact. Twain was honored because of her phenomenal record sales, tremendous airplay and the success of her tours.
The 1999 broadcast of the CMA Awards marked the eighth consecutive hosting stint for Gill. The multi-talented vocalist, songwriter and musician added one more award to his list, for Vocal Event of the Year with Patty Loveless for “My Kind Of Woman/My Kind Of Man.” The duet was the second consecutive win for Loveless in that category. Patty, on vacation with her husband and producer Emory Gordy, was not present to accept the honor. For the final musical performance of the evening, Dolly Parton joined Vince for the song. Dolly exclaimed as the song ended, “I’m no Patty Loveless, but you’re no Porter Wagoner either.” The award gives Gill 18 CMA Awards – more than any other artist.
“The CMA Awards” was the first music awards special to be carried on network television, and has consistently earned top ratings. Going head-to-head against ABC, NBC and Fox season premiere week, the 1998 CMA Awards placed first for the night in households, viewers and all adult demographics.
Fans throughout North America received extraordinary access to preparations for “The 33rd Annual CMA Awards” through “CMA Awards Backstage Pass,” the first-ever pay-per-view preview of an awards event which broadcast live September 21st from 8 – 11 p.m.
Hosted by noted comic Bill Engvall and Mercury recording artist Terri Clark, the three-hour special provided an “insider’s look” at preparations for Country Music’s biggest night, and great moments from past CMA Awards telecasts. Viewers were also treated to live performances from CMA Award winners Mary Chapin Carpenter and Deana Carter from Nashville’s 328 Performance Hall.
This year’s broadcast was produced by Walter C. Miller and directed by Paul Miller. Donald K. Epstein wrote the script. A stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event was satellite-delivered by MJI Broadcasting. The program will also be televised via tape around the world, including the UK by BBC 2. For more information on the CMA Awards, Internet users can locate the CMA website using the address www.CMAawards.com.
The winners of the “The 33rd Annual CMA Awards” are:
| ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: | SHANIA TWAIN |
| FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: | MARTINA MCBRIDE |
| MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: | TIM MCGRAW |
| HORIZON AWARD: | JO DEE MESSINA |
| SINGLE OF THE YEAR: (Award to artist and producer) |
“Wide Open Spaces,” DIXIE CHICKS Produced by Paul Worley and Blake Chancey |
| VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: | BROOKS & DUNN |
| MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: (Award to artist and director) |
“Wide Open Spaces,” DIXIE CHICKS Directed by Thom Oliphant |
| SONG OF THE YEAR: (Award to songwriter) |
“This Kiss” ANNIE ROBOFF, ROBIN LERNER and BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN |
| VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: | “My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man” VINCE GILL with PATTY LOVELESS |
| ALBUM OF THE YEAR: (Award to artist and producer) |
A PLACE IN THE SUN, TIM MCGRAW Produced by Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw and James Stroud |
| MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: | RANDY SCRUGGS |
| VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: | DIXIE CHICKS |