The Nashville hitmaker cleaned up Wednesday night at the 36th annual Country Music Association Awards (not to be confused with the American Country Music Awards, which Jackson also topped this year), taking home a record-tying five trophies on the strength of September 11-inspired anthem "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)."
All told, he won for Best Male Vocalist, Album of the Year (for his chart-topping Drive), Single and Song of the Year (for his 9-11 tribute tune) and the CMA's top award, Entertainer of the Year, which he accepted from the legendary Loretta Lynn. It was his second career win for Entertainer of the Year (the first in 1995).
Jackson went into the night with a record 10 nominations and left the only multiple winner of the night. His quintet of wins tied Johnny Cash and contemporary Vince Gill for the CMA record. Cash won his five in 1969; Gill, in 1993.
"I'm ready to get back to them drinking songs," he told reporters backstage after the show at the Grand Ole Opry House, which was broadcast on CBS. "[It's been] too heavy all the time."
Jackson said he was initially hesitant to release "Where Were You," which he performed at last year's CMAs, because he didn't want to be perceived as taking advantage of a tragedy.
However, after radio stations put his flag-waving performance in heavy rotation, he decided to release a single and include it on Drive.
"I'm still humbled by this whole experience that came with this song," he added. "It's uplifting and hard to swallow at the same time."
He also recalled performing "Where Were You" in front of the Pentagon for victims of the attack. "It was pretty tough," Jackson said. "It was a terrible time in our history, and we should never forget it, and I dedicate it to all the people who suffered so much."
While Jackson's poignant remembrance dominated, Toby Keith's hackles-raising retort, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," failed to tally any awards, despite earning six nominations.
Other key winners Wednesday included Martina McBride (Best Female Vocalist), Brad Paisley (Best Video), the inexplicably MIA Dixie Chicks (who scored their fourth Vocal Group of the Year Award) and Brooks & Dunn (who garnred Vocal Duo honors for the 10th time). Per CMA voters, Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack provided the Vocal Event of the Year for their pairing on "Mendocino County Line."
Shania Twain (CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1999), whose last network TV performance was nearly three years ago, reemerged from her self-imposed hiatus in a black catsuit to belt out her brand new pop-flavored ditty, "I'm Gonna Getcha Good."
The ceremony also fielded performances from Jackson, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Womack, McBride and Brooks & Dunn.
Dolly Parton not only performed but also welcomed this year's inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame: Grande Ole Opry's oldest living member, performer Bill Carlisle, and Grammy-winning singer Porter Wagoner.
Here's a complete rundown of all the 2002 CMA winners:
Entertainer:, Alan Jackson Single: "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson Album: Drive, Alan Jackson Song: "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson Male Vocalist: Alan Jackson Female Vocalist: Martina McBride Vocal Group: Dixie Chicks Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn Vocal Event: "Mendocino County Line," Willie Nelson with Lee Ann Womack Musician: Jerry Douglas, dobro Music Video: "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)," Brad Paisley Horizon Award (for career progress): Rascal Flatts