
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 12, 1995                   TAG: 9505120023
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FROM WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THE PEOPLE COLUMN

The hard work has finally paid off for Reba McEntire: She won her first entertainer of the year trophy at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Newcomer Tim McGraw won for top album, ``Not a Moment Too Soon,'' and also won top new male artist honors. Garth Brooks won the video award for ``The Red Strokes.''

McEntire, who hails from Stringtown, Okla., accepted her trophy on behalf of ``fellow Okies who have endured'' the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

``I want to dedicate this to all those who were left behind,'' she said.

Earlier, McEntire won the best female vocalist trophy, her seventh Academy of Country Music Award since 1985. But the entertainer award had eluded her.

``I just keep working, trying to get it,'' she said minutes before the winner was announced.

John Michael Montgomery's ``I Swear'' was picked song and single record of the year. Alan Jackson, who went into the show with seven nominations, won a single trophy for top male vocalist. Vince Gill, who had five nominations, left empty-handed.

by CNB