Garth Brooks beats Underwood

The Country Music Association Awards almost fully honoured and highlighted the women of country music — whose songs have been heavily dismissed on country radio over the years — until two words were uttered when they named its entertainer of the year: Garth Brooks.

Wednesday night’s show kicked off with a performance featuring country female acts across generations, included three female hosts and had Maren Morris as its top nominee. But in the final moments, Brooks won the top prize over Carrie Underwood, who many had hoped would be the first female to win entertainer of the year since 2011.

Brooks did highlight female acts during his acceptance speech at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

“If they gave this award for this show tonight, I’d have to give it to Reba

McEntire’s performance,” Brooks said, while also praising Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs, who won two honours.

All eyes seemed to be on Underwood, who had a successful year with her album “Cry Pretty” and an all-female tour, for an entertainer of the year win. The last woman to win the prize was Taylor Swift, and Underwood was this year’s sole female nominee.

Underwood hosted the show alongside McEntire and Dolly Parton, and though she didn’t win any awards, Underwood did win over the audience: She was a vocal beast, hitting all the right notes and more during a smoky performance of “Drinking Alone.”

Morris also marked the big night for female country acts by taking home album of the year for “GIRL.” The award also went to her producer busbee, who died in September at age 43 from brain cancer.

Kacey Musgraves, who won four Grammys this year, picked up female vocalist of the year and music video of the year for “Rainbow.”

The following is a list of major award winners:

• Entertainer of the year: Garth Brooks

• Female vocalist of the year: Kacey Musgraves

• Male vocalist of the year: Luke Combs

• New artist of the year: Ashley McBryde

• Album of the year: “GIRL,” Maren Morris

• Song of the year: “Beautiful Crazy,” Luke Combs

• Single of the year: “God’s Country,” Blake Shelton

• Vocal duo of the year: Dan + Shay

• Vocal group of the year: Old Dominion

• Musical event of the year: “Old Town Road (Remix),” Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

• Music video of the year “Rainbow,” Kacey Musgraves

• Musician of the year: Jenee Fleenor (fiddle)