Chesney Claims Media Inflated Comments
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5/22/2008 
After winning the ACM Entertainer of the Year award for the fourth consecutive time, Country Music star Kenny Chesney told reporters backstage he thought the new voting system that had fans deciding the winner turned the award into a "sweepstakes." "It's a complete disrespect of the artists,” Chesney said. “I think because of that it really diminishes the integrity of the work." Prior to the Academy of Country Music Award ceremony, all five nominees — Chesney, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban — had promotions urging fans to vote for them. Country group Rascal Flatts offered fans a free MP3 download a week before the awards ceremony. Although it did not violate the ACM rules, the offer was removed from the site after one day. Chesney, showing grace under pressure, has addressed the recent media spin about his remarks at last Sunday's ACM Awards. In a blog on his MySpace page, Chesney addresses fans saying: "I want to thank each of you personally for your part in this 4th Entertainer of the Year Award… You are not just the reason we do this, you are a lot of what makes us Entertainer of the Year." Chesney goes on to clarify his remarks heard around the globe. "To me, Entertainer of the Year is about the work that goes into it. I don't ever want you worrying about the work; I want you living the songs… being in the moment of the music… finding your life on the radio… That was my point. Let the people who do the work, judge the work part of it… let the fans love what we do for that." "Sure, to make me sound ungrateful is a sexy way to spin this to drive viewers. It's controversy, and that sells." Chesney said the media was asking him to comment on the new fan voting system, and that the topic was buzzing around the industry members this award season. The singer said the entire media room applauded his statements that night. To read Chensey's blog, visit http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.listall&friendid=3304379
