LAS VEGAS (AP) – The two most successful artists at the Academy of Country Music Awards continued their winning ways Wednesday, with Alan Jackson capturing album of the year for “Drive” as well as a video honor and Brooks & Dunn being named top vocal duo.

But in a program strong on patriotism, some in country music showed they were not prepared to forgive the Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines for remarks critical of President Bush and the war in Iraq.

The trio was nominated in three categories but went home empty-handed. When Vince Gill announced their nomination for entertainer of the year, it was roundly booed by the Las Vegas audience.

The award to Brooks & Dunn extended their collection of ACMs to a record 17. Jackson’s tally rose to 11.

“Stick with us. We love you,” Ronnie Dunn said.

The show repeatedly saluted the armed forces, including cheers for three freed POWs of the Iraq war who were invited on stage – Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Young Jr. from Fort Hood, Texas; and Pvt. 1st Class Patrick Miller and Spc. Shoshana Johnson, both from Fort Bliss, Texas.

Kenny Chesney captured two major awards – male vocalist of the year and record of the year for “The Good Stuff,” ending a six-year drought since he was named new male vocalist in 1997.

Jackson, who won three honors including male vocalist a year ago, had six nominations this year – two behind Toby Keith and one ahead of Chesney.

Keith avoided a second straight shutout by taking entertainer of the year, but had departed before the presentation was made.

Martina McBride was named female vocalist for the second straight year. Her current single is the poignant “Concrete Angel.”

“I am so proud of country music and the songs that we’re making and the performances that were here tonight, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” she said.

Joe Nichols, who is touring with Jackson, captured new male vocalist honors, riding back-to-back hits “The Impossible” and “Brokenheartedsville.”

He dedicated the award to Tony Brown, the head of his record label Universal South, who is recovering from a severe head injury received in a fall.

New female vocalist honors in the male-dominated awards want to Kellie Coffey, a former backup singer to Barbra Streisand, whose first hit was “When You Lie Next to Me.”

Canadian singers Emerson Drive, named top new duo or group, thanked the American crowd for listening to their music.

Rascal Flatts won their second and third ACMs as group of the year and for the song “I’m Movin’ On,” written by Phillip Brian White and David Vincent Williams.

The show featured more than a dozen performances.

, including the Dixie Chicks, a late addition appearing by satellite in their home town of Austin, Texas.

Maines sat silently as Emily Robison briefly introduced the song.

When the boos began at the end of the show, Gill urged the audience to “Stop it, stop it.” He added, “You know who gets blessed when you forgive – you.”

Gill said after the show the reaction was more subdued than at the Flameworthy Awards. “It was a pretty volatile crowd that time. This one wasn’t so bad,” he said.

Willie Nelson competed against himself in the vocal event of the year category and won it for “Mendocino County Line,” with Lee Ann Womack. He also was nominated for “Beer for My Horses” with Keith and “Whiskey River” with Trick Pony.

The show, televised by CBS, moved to Las Vegas this year for the first time in the event’s 38-year history. A certain Las Vegas touch: Wayne Newton as a presenter.

Host Reba McEntire managed to get both the Chicks and Las Vegas in her opening monologue: “Everybody here loves to gamble,” she said. “They’re backstage right now checking the latest odds on the Dixie Chicks playing the Bush family reunion.”

The awards were determined by the 3,000 members of the California-based academy, except for the humanitarian award, which is decided by fans. (McEntire won the humanitarian award last year.)

This year’s winner was Lonestar. Lead singer Richie McDonald said, “The truth is, Nashville and the country music community have huge hearts.” Home Depot will build a playground in their honor in a town of their choice.

The academy earlier announced that George Strait would receive the special achievement award and Alabama, the pioneer award.

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On the Net:

http://www.acmcountry.com

AP-ES-05-21-03 2342EDT

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