Black singer wins US music honour

LOS ANGELES - Singer Darius Rucker was named new artist of the year Wednesday at the Country Music Awards, only the second time an African-American artist has been recognised at the event.

“What a year,” said a jubilant Rucker, whose first country album, Learn to Live, sold more than one million copies. “First of all, to the fans, thank you all for accepting me, and I think most importantly, to country radio, you took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, South Carolina. Thank you so much for that!”

Taylor Swift, 19, won entertainer of the year, making history as the youngest-ever winner and telling the crowd: “I will never forget this moment.”

The recognition for the first woman to win the award since 1999 came after a tumultuous year for the crossover country star, who was infamously interrupted by rapper Kanye West while accepting an award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Other winners included Lady Antebellum with trophies for vocal group and single of the year.