Should Kenny Chesney return his ACM entertainer of the year award?
Kenny Chesney may have blasted the Academy of Country Music for allowing online voting to determine entertainer of the year, but his record label sure encouraged his fans to get him that fourth win in a row. As Joanne points out in the comment section of our original item, "What a 
hypocrite! Go to his website where he encourages people to vote for him. In bold blue letters. If he thought this system was wrong, why did he support it on his website?"
Backstage at the ACMs on Sunday night, Chesney was singing a different tune. "They took it from what the award really represents into a sweepstakes to see who can push people's buttons the hardest on the Internet," he fumed to reporters in the pressroom. "It's complete disrespect of the artist, what they've lowered it to. It really diminishes the integrity of the music that we're making. And I can say that because I won."
Kenny Chesney's plea to fans to vote for his ACM award is no longer posted at his site since the contest is over, but, as Oskar Garcia of the AP reports, "Chesney's MySpace page still carried a large banner Monday urging fans to 'bring it home for KC,' with links to the academy's online page and messages from fans lower on the page. "
If Chesney did not know about this online effort by his record label, how can he now keep this award? And if he did know, should he consider a second career as an actor?
REasons Keith shouldt win and Kenny should:
He is a freakin drug addict
Kenny givbes to charities all year round, and sells way more than Keith
He will never lose his talent and will never look as washed out as Keith
Posted by: Madison | November 05, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I have seen Kenny in concert he is truly Entertainer of the year/century. I have never been to a concert where the entertainer made me feel like getting up and moving, dancing singing etc. Kenny Rules!!! I took my best friend to a concert and she didn't even know Kenny and she is now a huge fan and wants to go again. So all of you Kenny Bashers go to H***. We love you Kenny C. You Rule
Posted by: Kenny Rocks | April 05, 2009 at 08:09 PM
I agree with Laura. Country Music "ain't what it used to be". It seems like the "white trash" crowds have taken over. Let's go back to the good ol' days when the music was really Country.
Posted by: Pat Geiger | May 23, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Kenny earned this award as much,as anyone else. Why don't all of you grow up! If he looks sideways you will say bad about him, but if he does something good, then no one knows about it. I never went to his concerts, But I've hear good things he does he gives a guitar to a young person, everytime he plays. You know it's so funny, you always hear the bad when you think they did bad, but when they do good things you never ever stop to see the good they do. If you read you will see he didn't say anything bad. But you want to make it look bad cuz you have nothing else to do. He is a good person like everyone else. He worked hard like everyone other singer out there to get to were he is. So if you didn't want to vote for him, Why did you? So put your tougue in your pocket and shut up. He deserved it as much as the others. I'm glad he won it! Whatever happened in his personal life has nothing to do with you, you don't know what happened with his marriage so let it be!!! I can't believe it was an award and he said something he believed and you guys just have to bring him down so bad. All he did was word his opinion. He never said anything wrong. So why are you been all so childish....People GROW UP!!!!!!
Posted by: Sweets | May 23, 2008 at 12:56 AM
I believe Kenny was just saying that by Fans voting for the award it takes away from the Honor of the award. CMT has a fan based voting for awards, so you prefer not have the ACM's fan based voting. As for the whole Keith or Kenny, they both put on a great show. I have went to both concerts and they are great. I do not know where the person lives that says Kenny tickets are easy to get but he sold out in Atlanta in 8 minutes - AS HE ALWAYS DOES. He actually is a great person too, he added 2 additional shows last year and the year before to accomodate Atlanta fans, I do not know of any other Performer who has done the same. Please consider all facts before you Judge or comment
Posted by: Gina | May 22, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Kenny deserved this award. He sold more concert tickets than any other country artist. His ticket prices are lower than some artists as well and he still grossed a lot of dollars. Check into the facts more completely and you will see that Rascal Flatts was buying votes by giving a free download of a song for a vote. THAT is what Kenny was complaining about. This is the biggest honor a country music star can earn and he doesn't think the power should be in the hands of the fans because it would be a popularity contest not the "AWARD" it should be.
Posted by: Laura | May 21, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I've never been so disappointed in a TV show as I was with the latest ACM awards. Country Music is Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt and singers like that...not the trash their playing today and passing it off as Country Music. I've never been so ashamed of anything as I was having a friend watch the same show and say..."that's not Country". It sounds like garbage". and what's so bad...he's right!
Posted by: Jerry Wallace | May 21, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Mr. Chesney, Please stop with your arrogance.You can sure market yourself well, as far as music, just mediocre. Be Really grateful for what others have allowed You to accomplish. Not a real fan, merely an observer.
Posted by: lee | May 21, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Keith should have won because:
1. He is nicer
2. He has MUCH more talent
3. Kenny has grown increasingly arrogant
4. Kenny needs to shutup and appreciate his awards. He has a shelf FULL of them.
5. Kenny's star is on the decline anyway. His new concert tour isn't selling as well as it should. Try getting tickets -- its easy this time around.
Posted by: Stella | May 21, 2008 at 09:04 AM
I agree with Jim. Although Kenny draws more of a crowd due to the large stadiums, I've seen Keith Urban in concert and that guy can play ... can sing ... and can entertain a crowd. I've never seen Kenny live, but I do know he can't make a guitar talk like Keith.
I'm a fan of both artists, but I think Keith should have won. I wonder if Kenny is considering giving back the award and perhaps allowing the process to crown Keith EOTY? Will be interesting to see if anything happens.
Posted by: Kirby | May 21, 2008 at 07:45 AM
WHO CARES!!!
Posted by: Null | May 21, 2008 at 07:38 AM
You have obviously formed your "opinion" without bothering to fully examine what Mr. Chesney said. He was not criticizing the fans or even claiming that he didn't "campaign" for the award just like the others. His point was that he disagreed with the fact that the Academy turned this into a glorified "popularity contest" and forced all of the artists -- himself included -- to campaign for votes if they wanted to win. The award should be based on success, merit, and hard work, and the fans aren't necessarily going to consider that when voting. And he's right. He undertands it isn't the fans' fault, and he knows he "played the game" just like everyone else. The point is, that's not how he feels the game should *have* to be played. He was just answering, as someone else said, a direct question. And I applaud his candor and agree with his sentiments.
Posted by: ann | May 21, 2008 at 05:42 AM
It was for us to choose and we did....IT'S DONE....Kenny's music is great...every concert of his i have been able to attend i have come home with bruises or bleeding hands...his music his shows get me going...and i don't drink....just love the whole....and i am in the fan club not for what it can get me but to support him because i never want his music to ever ever end......a fan forever
Posted by: Felicia Maschari | May 21, 2008 at 04:05 AM
It is the fans who purchase the CD's & not the higher ups in the music business. Chesney has always had an attitude. No wonder his marriage didn't last. Of course his concerts gross more music than other concerts because the tickets cost more. All award shows should be decided by the fans.
Posted by: Paula | May 21, 2008 at 12:19 AM
i think he should have given it to keith urban because his previous album, before the greatest hits one, was very artistic, as a kind gesture.
Posted by: chante | May 20, 2008 at 07:51 PM
What an ungrateful SOB. 10 years ago he would of killed for this. So why show up if he didn't want the award??
Posted by: tartarqueen | May 20, 2008 at 04:59 PM
He encourages his fans just like any other entertainer should. He earned it and he better keep it.
Posted by: Chrissy | May 20, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Being a marketer myself I completely agree with the 1st comment above. It was simply a way for the show to get some free publicity and traffic to the site, thus increasing ad revenue. I believe Kenny was spot on making those comments, and I applaud him for doing so. The fans aren't able to judge objectively, especially when the criteria includes writing, artistic merit and such. It basically cheapens the award to a popularity contest, which is the last thing these awards stand for.
Posted by: Holly | May 20, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Kenny Chesney is the last person who should complain about the fan crazed voting on internet campaigns--were it not for this sort of marketing he would have no career.
Posted by: Stormy | May 20, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Have you read the entire interview in which Kenny chesney made his remarks? He was asked a very direct question about the way the voting was done after talking about his appreciation for the fans. His comments were directed at the industry for changing the way a time honored award was given. The ACM also did not fully disclose to the fans that in the new official rules, the award was not entirely fan voted but the ACM left itself room to change the outcome as well, There is a very interesting article here, http://www.the9513.com/kenny-chesneys-comments-about-fan-voting-are-on-the-money/
if you care to read more about why Kenny and many country music fans feel that internet voting is not the way to go on this award.
Posted by: laurajtracy@bellsouth.net | May 20, 2008 at 11:26 AM
kenny seem very embasrrassed to winning
the award because urban earned the award through sweat and hard work a world wide tour completely dismissed
in his guts of guts he knew 100 perecent who
deserved this award
Posted by: jim hudson | May 20, 2008 at 10:42 AM