Cash garners two posthumous CMA awards for 'Hurt'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Johnny Cash won the Country Music Association's single of the year and video of the year awards Wednesday for his rendition of the rock song "Hurt."

The announcements drew a standing ovation at the CMA's 37th Annual Country Music Awards.

Cash, who died Sept. 12 at age 71 of complications from diabetes, was nominated for four CMA awards this year, also winning the best album award.

Wednesday's show included a tribute to Cash, with Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Travis Tritt and Hank Williams Jr. performing his music.

Other early winners were Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett for their hit duet "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere." The two won vocal event of the year for the song.

"Thank you, Alan Jackson -- I'm glad I can help your struggling career," Buffett joked. "It was about 31 years ago I came to this town to pursue my musical madness. I never won anything for anything and it's great to do it here."

Jackson said, "Thank you, Jimmy. No problem."

Toby Keith led all nominees with seven but was shut out, as were the Dixie Chicks, who were nominated for two awards.

Martina McBride got the nod for female vocalist of the year, while Alan Jackson picked up two more awards in the entertainer of the year and male vocalist categories.

Keith was nominated for best entertainer, male vocalist, and album of the year for "Unleashed." "Beer For My Horses," a collaboration with Willie Nelson, was nominated for best song, single, music video and vocal event.

Keith, whose other hits include "I Wanna Talk About Me," "Who's Your Daddy," and "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue," has long been a popular choice for nominations. Over the years he's received 18 from the CMA alone, not to mention those from the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Television.

But the nominations haven't produced as many awards as Keith would like. Despite his multi-platinum sales success, he's won only one CMA award -- male vocalist of the year in 2001.

"Early on I was sour grapes, and I think I had the right to be," Keith said.

Now, Keith says, "I appreciate those things and I'm glad that I'm being recognized, but you have to put them in the proper perspective. ... My reward is in album and ticket sales."

Meanwhile, the Dixie Chicks, country music's most controversial act this year, were nominated for vocal group and album of the year for "Home."

Singer Natalie Maines upset many country fans earlier this year when she told a London audience shortly before the Iraq war that the group was "ashamed" President Bush is from her home state of Texas.

Maines apologized for the phrasing of her remark, but some radio stations banned the group's singles.

"People have told me they didn't think the Dixie Chicks would get any nominations because of the controversy," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "The fact that they got into two categories shows that the voters are discounting the stuff they said and are focusing on the music and the quality of the act."

The Dixie Chicks did not plan to attend the show, the group's Nashville spokeswoman said Tuesday.

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