Kenny Chesney [ tickets ], an 11-time nominee at the 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards, won his fourth consecutive Entertainer of the Year prize Sunday (5/18) in Las Vegas.

"This one is really extra special because long before I had a hit record, the fans always came to my show, and I want to thank you guys for voting and being there for me," Chesney said.

This is the first year the fans voted for the Entertainer of the Year award. However, according to the Associated Press, Chesney, while backstage during the ceremony, criticized the ACM for handling it that way.

"The Entertainer of the Year trophy is supposed to represent heart and passion and an amazing amount of sacrifice, commitment and focus," he said. "That's the way Garth [Brooks] won it four times, that's the way I won it, that's the way [George] Strait won it, Reba [McEntire], Alabama all those years. That's what it's supposed to represent."

For the rest of the awards, the ACM stuck with tradition and required its members to vote. Entertainer of the Year was one of two awards Chesney took home Sunday; the other was Vocal Event of the Year for "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," a song he recorded with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw.

Sugarland was another multiple-award winner. The band's acoustic ballad "Stay" won the Single Record of the Year prize, the first award of the night.

"Thanks everybody for believing in a song that's almost a five-minute acoustic song," Kristian Bush said, with partner Jennifer Nettles at his side. Later in the night, they debuted their new single, "All I Wanna Do."

The ACM also named "Stay" the Song of the Year. "It means so much to me that you guys really relate to this song and you just accepted it," Nettles said.

Brad Paisley took home a pair of ACMs, one for Top Male Vocalist and the other for Video of the Year for the Jason Alexander-directed "Online."

Garth Brooks came out of semi-retirement to perform a medley of his hits and to accept the Crystal Milestone Award. During his thank-you speech, he slipped and called host Reba McEntire, "Miss Yearwood." He is married to fellow singer Trisha Yearwood.

Other winners included Carrie Underwood for Top Female Vocalist, and Jack Ingram, who, despite being in the business since 1992, was ironically honored with Top New Male Vocalist.

"It's been a long road," he said. "... Dreams come true, man. Never give up."

Lady Antebellum, featuring singer-songwriter Josh Kelley's brother Charles, took home Top New Duo or Vocal Group. The band was up against Carolina Rain and Michelle Branch's The Wreckers.

"Does this mean we get to hang out with Kenny Chesney [ tickets ] now?" Kelley said.

Top New Female Vocalist went to 18-year-old Taylor Swift, who beat out Sarah Buxton and former "American Idol" contestant Kellie Pickler. In a speech that nearly brought her to tears, Swift thanked only one person: her mom, whom, she said, gave up her favorite activities to go out on tour with her then-16-year-old daughter.

The three-hour show was heavy on performances. Reigning Top Female Vocalist Carrie Underwood kicked off the event with a performance of her rock-inspired song "Last Name." Toby Keith quickly followed suit, singing his hit "She's a Hottie." Former "Seinfeld" actor Alexander introduced Paisley, who perfomed "I'm Still a Guy."

"I feel just a little bit underdressed," Alexander said. "My 'Bedazzler' broke in the [dressing] room and there's rhinestones all over the room."

Also on stage were Miranda Lambert, whose "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" was honored with Album of the Year; Rodney Atkins, who did a medley of hits; Kenny Chesney, who was without nary a limp after an onstage run-in last month with an elevator; and George Strait, who laid out his 56th No. 1 hit, "I Saw God Today."

Swift performed "Should've Said No," and Brooks and Dunn sang "Put a Girl in It."

Strapped with acoustic guitars, Strait and Chesney returned to the stage to perform the Calypso-inspired "Shiftwork." Keith Urban performed "Tu Compania" acoustically from the audience. McEntire hosted the event for the 10th time since 1986. The awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and aired on CBS-TV.

Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney

Top Male Vocalist Brad Paisley

Top Female Vocalist Carrie Underwood

Top Vocal Group Rascal Flatts

Top Vocal Duo Brooks and Dunn

Top New Male Vocalist Jack Ingram

Top New Female Vocalist Taylor Swift

Top New Duo or Vocal Group Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," Miranda Lambert

Single Record of the Year "Stay," Sugarland

Song of the Year "Stay," Sugarland

Video of the Year "Online," Brad Paisley

Vocal Event of the Year "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," Tracy Lawrence with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney