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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, November 13, 2008

Chesney, Strait win big at CMA

Photo gallery: CMA Arrivals
Photo gallery: CMA Awards

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George Strait.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kenny Chesney won his fourth entertainer of the year award — and third in a row — and George Strait became the most-honored artist in CMA Awards history at last night's ceremony.

Strait won single and album of the year. The wins made him the act with the most awards in the history of the Country Music Association Awards, with 22 total. Strait thanked the songwriters for "letting me sing such a beautiful song" after "I Saw God Today" won single of the year. He later won album of the year for "Troubadour."

Also winning two awards was Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Sugarland won the award for duo of the year, and Nettles won song of the year for Sugarland's hit "Stay."

Former "American Idol" champ Carrie Underwood, who co-hosted the show with Brad Paisley, won her third consecutive female vocalist award.

Paisley won video of the year, and Rascal Flatts won their sixth straight vocal group of the year award.

Lady Antebellum, a trio that is one of country music's most promising acts, won best new artist.

SHATNER SNIPES AGAIN AT TAKEI

NEW YORK — William Shatner is continuing to feud with former "Star Trek" co-star George Takei.

In his latest online video, Shatner says: "George has been mean to me for a long time — I mean, decades and decades."

Shatner complained in a previous video that he wasn't invited to Takei's September wedding to Brad Altman. Takei and Altman have said Shatner was invited, with the invitation sent to Shatner's representative. Shatner says he didn't receive an invitation.

Says Shatner: "I would not expect him to invite me to a place where he wanted to be surrounded by love and he'd see my little red face poking out there, and look at me and feel whatever enmity he feels for whatever reason I do not know."

He then invites Takei to appear on his Biography Channel talk show, "Shatner's Raw Nerve."

SANDLER NAMES NEW BABY SUNNY

NEW YORK — Adam Sandler and his wife, Jackie, have welcomed their second daughter.

A posting on Sandler's Web site says Sunny Madeline was born Nov. 2 and adds, "Everyone is happy and healthy."

Daughter Sadie was born in May 2006.

Sandler, 42, recently starred in the comedy "You Don't Mess With the Zohan."

FAN FOUND DEAD NEAR ABDUL HOME

LOS ANGELES — A fan of Paula Abdul whose failed audition for "American Idol" aired in season five was found dead in a car near the home of the pop star and talent judge she admired, officials said yesterday.

Paula Goodspeed, whose rendition of "Proud Mary" was roundly criticized by Simon Cowell and rejected by Abdul and Randy Jackson, may have committed suicide, said Ed Winter, assistant chief of the county coroner's office. An official cause of death had not been determined.

Police responding to a call about 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Sherman Oaks area found Goodspeed's body in a car that photos show bearing the vanity license plate "ABL LV." Her parents had reported her missing hours earlier and expressed concern that she might hurt herself.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened at what transpired yesterday," Abdul said in a statement released by her publicist. "My heart and prayers go out to her family."