LAS VEGAS (AP) – George Strait has staying power. He won the Academy of Country Music entertainer of the year last night, 25 years after he won it for the first time. Strait says he always said he has the best fans in the world and since fans voted for the award, he rests his case. Strait also won the Country Music Association Awards entertainer of the year in November. Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry says her grandfather used to tell them when the times were tough, “Kids, this ain’t no hill for a climber,” so she accepted the award for vocal group of the year for all the climbers. Miranda Lambert won female vocalist of the year for the fifth straight time. Jason Aldean won male vocalist. Justin Moore beat Kip Moore and Brett Eldredge for new artist of the year and joked he thought there might be a height requirement for that award.

 

Here are the winners in major categories at the Academy of Country Music awards:

Entertainer of the year: George Strait

Album of the year: Kacey Musgraves, “Same Trailer Different Park”

Female vocalist of the year: Miranda Lambert

Male vocalist of the year: Jason Aldean

Vocal group of the year: The Band Perry

Song of the year: “I Drive Your Truck”: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary

Single record of the year: Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”

New artist of the year: Justin Moore

Vocal duo of the year: Florida Georgia Line

Music video of the year: Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”

Vocal event of the year: Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, “We Were Us”

 

Merle Haggard was honored with the Crystal Milestone Award, which was presented by Garth Brooks and celebrated with a tribute performance featuring Miranda Lambert and George Strait.

 

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