Lee Ann Womack [ tickets ] told an intimate crowd of 300 on Saturday (5/10) in Ferndale, Mich., that she would be a happy person if she could beat Faith Hill at the Academy of County Music Awards. On Wednesday night (5/9), she pulled it off.

Womack took home three awards--including Vocal Event of the Year--for "I Hope You Dance," a track she recorded with Sons of the Desert. Faith Hill and her husband Tim McGraw were nominated in the same category for the tune "Let�s Make Love."

"This is fantastic," said Womack, who won a Grammy earlier in the year for the song. "Thank you so much. It�s very unexpected but just wonderful. I want to thank country radio. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for playing that song so much. I really appreciate it."

The Dixie Chicks [ tickets ] also scored a hat trick, bringing home awards for Entertainer of the Year (which they also earned last year), Video of the Year (for "Goodbye Earl") and Top Vocal Group. Martie Seidel was the only Chick who attended the ceremony.

In a televised backstage interview with Dick Clark, Seidel said the trio is working on a new record. She thanked her label, Sony/Monument, for understanding that they wanted to take a long hiatus.

After nearly a decade in the business, Toby Keith earned his first batch of ACMs, winning Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for "How Do You Like Me Now?!" (DreamWorks).

Australia produced two winners--Top New Female Vocalist Jamie O�Neal and Top New Male Vocalist Keith Urban.

"This is unbelievable, thank you," said Urban. "Thank you to country radio and thank you to God. I think that�s the right order."

Alan Jackson�s performed "Where I Come From." Other performers included Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley, as well as host LeAnn Rimes and singer Jo Dee Messina, both of whom had dancers accompany their performances.

Terri Clark, Ronnie Milsap and Louise Mandrell paid tribute to Barbara Mandrell, who won this year�s Pioneer Award.