Carrie Underwood accepts the award for top female vocalist Tuesday during the 42nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Underwood also received the best album award for Some

George Strait performs Tuesday during the 42nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Strait, nominated for eight awards, won song of the year and best single record for Give

Las Vegas ? Kenny Chesney collected his third consecutive entertainer of the year trophy Tuesday as the Academy of Country Music also paid tribute to a youngster and some oldsters.

The academy honored veteran George Strait, newcomer Carrie Underwood and gave an unprecedented 14th vocal duo award to Brooks & Dunn.

Brooks & Dunn were up against some stiff competition from Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich and The Wreckers, and Ronnie Dunn fretted before the show that the pair had to lose “sooner or later.”

“Not this year,” an exuberant Kix Brooks said as the duo claimed the trophy. “It’s still as much fun as it’s ever been, and we’re going to keep doing it.”

A few minutes later, a subdued Chesney, wearing a black cowboy hat, accepted the top award, paying tribute to fellow musicians Keith Whitley and Strait.

“When I first started playing music, I was in college and I would go rent all my equipment and put it in the back of a pickup truck. The only thing I wanted to do was cut a record as good as Keith Whitley did, and I listened to that music over and over again,” he said.

Strait, who came into the competition with a leading eight nominations, claimed the first award of the night, winning song of the year for “Give It Away.”

As he collected his trophy, he seemed particularly touched that as an older performer he wasn’t forgotten.

Veteran singer-songwriter Bill Anderson, who joined Strait in collecting the trophy, also seemed touched that older artists weren’t forgotten.

“I’m old enough to be Carrie Underwood’s grandfather,” the 69-year-old said of the 24-year-old singer.

Underwood, the 2005 “American Idol” winner, won album of the year for her debut CD, “Some Hearts,” and was honored as top female vocalist.

“I would not be here if it were not for ‘American Idol,'” she said as she collected her vocal award. “Thank you, fans. God bless you.”

The entertainment-driven program, hosted by Reba McEntire, was slated to hand out just a dozen awards.