Country star Alan Jackson took home five awards at the Country Music Association (CMA) awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday night.

The star, who became a country sensation for his post-11 September song Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning), equalled the record set by Johnny Cash and Vince Gill.

He won the coveted entertainer of the year for the second time, after winning it in 1995.

Jackson also took home the album of the year award for his recent album Drive, and also won best male vocalist.

Record

He won best song and single of the year for Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning), which he first performed at the awards show last year.

Jackson was nominated a record 10 times.

"CMA's been a little too generous to me tonight," he said while accepting the entertainer of the year award. "There's probably people who are a little more exciting on stage, but I just walk out there and sing."

Shania Twain was one of the awards' star guests

Jackson's best album prize was also his second - he won a joint award for his contribution to 1994's Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles.

The only two artists to equal his haul were host Vince Gill in 1993 and country legend Johnny Cash in 1969.

Martina McBride won best female vocalist for the second time in her career, and performer her new song Concrete Angel.

Twain

Vocal trio The Dixie Chicks added to their trophy cabinet too - their best vocal group of the year award was their fourth.

Brad Paisley was one of the few artists who stood in the way of Jackson - he won music video of the year for I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song).

Nashville superstar Shania Twain played her new single I'm Gonna Getcha Good - her first performance at the awards in three years.

Twain had taken a break from the music scene over the last 18 month to have a baby. She releases her new album later this month.

Twain also presented the award for the best male vocalist.

Other winners included veteran vocal duo Brook and Dunn, who took the vocal duo of the year award for the tenth time.

The CMA is an organisation that promotes country music, and its awards are voted for by a panel of musicians and association members.