Kenny Chesney "Entertainer of Year"

Chesney bounded upstage and thanked "all the very passionate people who come to see us every night." This was the second straight year Chesney has captured the biggest award of the night.

Brad Paisley won the most awards, three. A pumped Paisley, who opened the show with "The World," felt on top of the world after winning the best album award. "I've always wanted to win this award," said Paisley, referring to his latest album, "Time Well Wasted." The disc features his number one song "Alcohol.

Paisley also won video and vocal event of the year awards for "When I Get Where I'm Going." The video award also went to producers Mark Kalbfeld and Peter Tilden, director Jim Shea and Dolly Parton, who sang with Paisley. The vocal event award also went to Parton , producers Chris DuBois and Frank Rogers and Paisley's Arista label.

Carrie Underwood won two awards. The American Idol winner was named best new female artist. And her smash hit, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" was the single record of the year award. "I can't quite crying now," said Underwood, who had just sung the song in performance and also cried at the end.

Brooks & Dunn do "Believe" because the song of the same name took home the Song of the Year award. Ronnie Dunn wrote the song with Craig Wiseman. Dunn praised his record company for pushing the song at radio. The duo also won the duo award, something they have typically done at awards shows for many years. They now have won a total of 21 ACM awards.

Sara Evans was named female artist of the year. Evans said, "I waited for this my whole life." On the male side, Keith Urban was the winner for two years running. Rascal Flatts took home the vocal group of the year for the fourth straight year.

Sugarland won the new vocal group of the year award. The group started as a trio, but is down to a duo.

Jason Aldean took home the new male artist award. "If I could follow in the footsteps of the guys who this before...I'll be doing alright," said Aldean, who has had a big year with hit singles "Hicktown" and "Why."

Vince Gill was honored with the Home Depot Humanitarian award, which he gave to a young girl in the audience who was there as a guest of the Make A Wish organization.

The evening was highlighted by a tribute to the late Buck Owens with a medley of his songs played by Dwight Yoakam, Brad Paisley, Chris Hillman, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, blink-182/+44 drummer Travis Barker and Buddy Alan Owens, Buck's son.