NASHVILLE — Hank Williams Jr. was named Entertainer of the Year for the second year running at the 22d annual Country Music Association awards show last night in the Grand Ole Opry House. Randy Travis and the relative newcomer K. T. Oslin were other big winners.
"Two in a row - whew!" Williams exclaimed in accepting the award. "It's just the greatest thing in the world."
Williams also won the award for album of the year with his Born to Boogie LP.
Travis repeated as Male Vocalist of the Year, and when his victory was announced, the show's hostess, Dolly Parton, was sitting in his lap at his seat in the Opry House.
"After all that, I find myself trying to remember what I just won," said an obviously surprised Travis.
Ricky Van Shelton, a drawling native of Grit, Va., took the prestigious Horizon Award, for showing the most achievement in the year, and the Judds were named the vocal duo of the year.
Oslin, a one-time radio jingle writer whose songs about everyday women propelled her to stardom this year, was named Female Vocalist of the Year. But what pleased her most was the prize for writing the Song of the Year, " '80s Ladies," an anthem for the baby boom generation.
"I am thrilled to death to get this writing honor," said Oslin, who led all artists with five nominations. "This means a lot to me. It means I got a brain and people recognize that."
Kathy Mattea's "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" was named single of the year. It was the first award for Mattea, who had been nominated six times before.
"I'm glad I'm wearing waterproof mascara," the tearful Mattea said as she accepted the award. "I'm so touched. Thank you so much. It's been a long road."
Wynonna Judd, who with her mother, Naomi, form the winning duo, said the award had special meaning for her.
"I think what this award means to us, it's become a milestone," the younger Judd said. "It's given us a reason to look forward to something, and I think the everyday person out there needs to feel like that."
Earlier, Williams had joined other top recording stars gathered for the 22d annual awards in signing a birthday card to Middle East hostage Terry A. Anderson.
"Hang in there, and when you come home we're gonna sing together," Williams wrote on the card shortly before the program began.
"That would be one of my best duets with anybody," said Williams, who is said to be Anderson's favorite singer.
Highway 101 and lead singer Paulette Carlson were the surprise winners of the Vocal Group of the Year.
