NASHVILLE, Tenn (CMT/Top40 Charts) - The music video for "
Young" by
Kenny Chesney was named best clip Wednesday during the first awards show devoted to country music videos.
Chesney won best male video for the same video, a nostalgic look back at youthful fun. He thanked "all the fans out there that have allowed me to do what I do for eight years."
The first CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, took a cue from CMT's sister networks, VH1 and MTV, who also broadcast irreverent awards shows. All three cable stations are owned by Viacom. "People don't seem to be too uptight about these awards," said Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn. "There's a lot of people kicking back and just having a good time."
In addition to country music stalwarts like Alan Jackson and Alison Krauss , there were appearances by non-country music celebrities including the comedian Carrot Top and Verne J. Troyer, who plays Mini-Me in the ` Austin Powers' films.
Performances included Brooks & Dunn singing "Only in America," followed by a surprise appearance by ZZ Top, who joined the duo in singing the ZZ Top hit "Tush." A segment of acoustic music featured banjo hero Earl Scruggs playing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."
The host of the show was actress Kathy Najimy , whose only connection to Nashville is providing the voice for the animated, country music loving Peggy Hill of the "King of the Hill" television series.
Najimy made light of her lack of country music expertise. "I have learned that Alan Jackson is not related to Jackie or Tito Jackson," she said. "I have learned that Brooks & Dunn is not a law firm. And I have learned that Rascal Flatts is a hit country music act and not road kill."
Fans voted for the winners, except for the Video Vision Award for lifetime achievement in music video. CMT officials selected the Dixie Chicks for that honor. "We ... want to thank CMT for playing all of our videos, and VH1, and hopefully one day MTV, if they're listening," said Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks.
Other winners of The CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards:
FEMALE VIDEO: "Blessed," Martina McBride.
GROUP/DUO: "Only in America," Brooks & Dunn.
CONCEPT VIDEO: "I'm Gonna Miss Her," Brad Paisley .
VIDEO DIRECTOR: Michael Solomon for "I Wanna Talk About Me," Toby Keith .
BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO (Best video from a debut album): "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out," Chris Cagle .
FASHION PLATE VIDEO: "Jezebel," Chely Wright .
"LOL" (LAUGH OUT LOUD) VIDEO (Funniest video): "I Wanna Talk About Me," Toby Keith.
HOTTEST VIDEO (Sexiest video): "The Cowboy in Me," Tim McGraw .
LOVE YOUR COUNTRY VIDEO (Best video with a patriotic theme): "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson.
VIDEO COLLABORATION: "Mendocino County Line," Willie Nelson featuring Lee Ann Womack.
