Idol winner tops country awards

American singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood has taken the coveted entertainer of the year title at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Underwood, who shot to fame in 2005 when she won American Idol, said: "I've had a lot of good moments in the past four years. This one takes the cake."

The singer was also named top female vocalist but was beaten to best album by 19-year-old newcomer Taylor Swift.

Underwood becomes the seventh woman in 39 years to win the entertainer prize.

Previous female winners include Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntyre, the host of this year's award ceremony.

Emotional

The singer beat four male nominees to take the entertainer award, including Kenny Chesney who won the award in the four previous years.

Chesney criticised the organisers for this year allowing fans to pick the entertainer of the year, saying he preferred the traditional method of Academy of Country Music members deciding the winner.

Stepping up to collect the prize Underwood said: "Thank you God. I never thought I'd be nominated, I never thought I would win.

"I don't know what to say. I've got nothing" she added, before letting out an emotional scream and spinning her way off stage.

AWARD WINNERS

• Entertainer of the year - Carrie Underwood
• Female vocalist - Carrie Underwood
• Male Vocalist - Brad Paisley
• New Artist - Julianne Hough
• Vocal Group - Rascal Flatts
• Vocal Duo - Sugarland
• New Female Vocalist - Julianne Hough
• New Male Vocalist - Jake Owen
• New Due or Vocal Group - The Zac Brown Band
• Single of the Year - Trace Adkins, You're Gonna Miss This
• Album of the Year - Taylor Swift, Fearless
• Song of the Year - Jamey Johnson, In Colour
• Vocal Event of the Year - Brad Paisley & Keith Urban, Start a Band
• Music Video of the Year - Brad Paisley, Waitin' on a Woman

Underwood performed two numbers during the Las Vegas awards show.

The singer made her debut at the awards in 2006 when she picked up the best new female vocalist prize and best single for Jesus, Take the Wheel.

This was the third year in a row she has been named best female vocalist. Collecting the award, Underwood told the audience it felt like winning American Idol again.

Dancing star

Taylor Swift was presented with a trophy as the top-selling country artist. Her album Fearless, which won the best album category is a multiplatinum seller in America.

Brad Paisley took home three awards, top male vocalist, best video and vocal event of the year for his duet with Keith Urban, Start a Band.

Trace Atkins took home the single of the year award for You're Going to Miss This, while Rascal Flatts was named top vocal group.

Another reality TV star made an impression at the awards by picking up new artist and new female vocalist prizes.

Julianne Hough is one of the professionals dancers on hit programme Dancing with the Stars and has won the show twice.

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