The 34th annual Country Music Association Awards, held Wednesday night at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., was all about the Dixie Chicks. The Texas trio, which earlier this year picked up two Grammy Awards for Best Country Album and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group, dominated the evening with four wins, including the night's biggest honor, "Entertainer of the Year."

The Dixie Chicks -- singer Natalie Maines, fiddle player Martie Seidel and dobro/banjo player Emily Robison -- were up for the top award last year, but lost to Shania Twain. But last night, they were tough to beat. The Chicks' other wins included Album of the Year for Fly, Vocal Group of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for "Goodbye Earl," bringing their career tally to nine CMA wins.

The only other multiple win of the night went to Lee Ann Womack's anthemic ballad "I Hope You Dance," which picked up Single of the Year and Song of the Year (honoring writers Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers). Faith Hill and husband Tim McGraw won just one award each, for Female and Male Vocalist of the Year. The outlaw-styled Montgomery Gentry won Vocal Duo of the Year, while Vocal Event of the Year went to "Murder on Music Row," a duet with George Strait and Alan Jackson. The Horizon Award, the CMA equivalent of Best New Artist, went to traditional country newcomer Brad Paisley.

The Dixie Chicks are currently on the last leg of their "Fly" tour, which wraps up in early December. They will be featured on 60 Minutes II on CBS next Tuesday (Oct. 10), and in a primetime NBC concert special on Nov. 20.

RICHARD SKANSE
(October 5, 2000)