– Press Release

Ernie Ball endorsees took home six of the night’s most prestigious awards when the country music community celebrated the genre’s best artists at the 2005 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Founded in 1964, the Academy of Country Music held this year’s 40th anniversary award show on Tuesday, May 17 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ernie Ball endorsed winners spanned several categories and included country favorite Kenny Chesney, who took home the title Entertainer of the Year, among others:

· Rascal Flats won for 2005’s Top Vocal Group;

· Gretchen Wilson, who made her big country music debut with “Redneck Woman,” won for both Top New Artist and Top Female Vocalist; and

· Brad Paisley was the featured artist on “Whiskey Lullaby,” which won both Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year.

Since the first show in 1965, the Academy of Country Music Awards has honored the industry’s most notable talent.