POP MUSIC REVIEW : Brooks Steals the Awards Show--Again

Garth Brooks has a way of dominating the Academy of Country Music Awards even when he’s not around--last year he and his wife, Sandy, managed to divert everyone’s attention by having their second baby in Nashville while the show went on at the Universal Amphitheatre.

So you can imagine what it’s like when he shows up. At the 30th annual event on Wednesday, Brooks didn’t win any of the regular honors--his Jim Reeves Memorial Award is an optional one for furthering the cause of country music internationally--but he was still all over the place.

The mega-selling, enigmatic artist, whose U.S. profile has been low for the past year while he’s toured abroad, performed a medley of country classics, and he seemed to be in every audience-reaction shot on the NBC telecast--dabbing at a tear during the emotional Pioneer Award presentation to Loretta Lynn, rapt while watching footage of his own concerts during the Reeves Award segment.

When he arrived at the Amphitheatre before the show, Brooks homed in on the artists’ entrance, ignoring the shouts of the photographers and camera crews pleading for him to stop and pose. And in a brief visit to the press tent backstage, Brooks flashed a candidness and intensity that contrasted with the casual, diplomatic tone of the other winners.

“I’ll make this statement, I hope I won’t be crucified for it,” he said, turning an innocuous question about the roots of country music into yet another potential Nashville tempest.

“I don’t think my music and I don’t think country music will ever be as good as it was when (Merle) Haggard and (George) Jones and Loretta Lynn and all those people were at the helm. . . .

“I’m just doin’ the best I can. I feel the torch has been passed, and I think we’re all doin’ the best we can, but I think all of us will tell you right now that we’re not half of what country music is for us as far as the roots.”

Two years ago, Brooks made headlines in the same room by publicly mulling retirement, so this little broadside was par for the course, pepping up an event otherwise distinguished by its undercurrent of nostalgia (1965 winners such as Faye Adams and Bonnie Owens were among the presenters) and a slight shift in the balance of power--represented by Tim McGraw (best album and new male vocalist) and the Mavericks (best vocal group and new vocal group).

And Reba McEntire became the first woman to be named Entertainer of the Year since Barbara Mandrell in 1980, and only the fourth overall.

McEntire, who just added a third date (July 6) to her upcoming Universal Amphitheatre engagement, expressed her excitement and satisfaction politely and articulately, but let’s leave the last word to Brooks, who was asked whether he was disappointed at not winning the top trophy for the fifth consecutive year.

“No, and thank you for the opportunity. Two statements: Alan Jackson, male vocalist, long overdue in this industry, I’m proud for him. And I was the first one on my feet when they said Reba, ‘cause that girl has worked her butt off and nobody has stopped to say thanks. So I’m glad for her.”