(May 19, 2008)--Kenny Chesney was honored as entertainer of the year for a fourth straight year Sunday night at the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday.
With the win, he ties Garth Brooks and trails only Alabama, which won five in a row.
Fans' votes determined the award for the first time this year.
ACM members decide all other categories.
Backstage, Chesney complained that the top award was based on a fan vote.
He says the method amounts to "complete disrespect" of the artists, saying the academy turned the award "into a sweepstakes to see who can push people's buttons the hardest on the Internet."
It was a night of repeats.
Brad Paisley won top male vocalist, his second in a row and Carrie Underwood also took home her second consecutive female vocalist trophy.
Rascal Flatts' top vocal group award was its sixth in a row, while Brooks and Dunn won their 13th straight award for top vocal duo.
Meanwhile, Miranda Lambert won album of the year.
The win was big for Lambert, who beat out superstars Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley, as well as hot new acts Taylor Swift and Rodney Atkins.
Sugarland took single record and song of the year honors for their mellow hit "Stay."