Chesney faces questions
about surprise wedding

Although Kenny Chesney won the Academy of Country Music’s “Entertainer of the Year” award, the media was more anxious to talk about his recent marriage to Renee Zellweger than music.

The wedding questions flew fast and furious backstage at Tuesday night’s ACM Awards, so much so that Kenny’s publicist stepped in at one point and asked for a few questions about his top honor.

But Kenny did provide his first extensive comment on his new marriage.

How is married life? “To be honest with you, it’s not that different,” said Kenny. “I’m a little more at ease, you know? I’m not searching and that’s what’s great about her. She’s a great girl.”

Kenny said Renee didn’t let him propose. “She just told me to name a time and place and she’d be there.’’

Renee kept a low profile at the event. “She’s got a movie coming out or she’d be here tonight,” Kenny said backstage.

But she was spotted at the after-party and remained camera-shy.

In response to a question on how the twosome will celebrate his award, Kenny predicted more of the same. “Well, we did our honeymoon in Little Rock at a show. I had to go back on the road, so we went to Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Dallas and San Antonio. And then I flew here. So it wasn’t that great of a honeymoon.”

Earlier in the evening, Kenny’s fellow country music stars related how they heard about the hush-hush wedding.

Gretchen Wilson said Kenny tipped her off a week before the ceremony.

But Tim McGraw said he was thrown for a loop.

“I thought he was gay for the longest time!” said Tim, sporting a big grin and causing wife Faith Hill to laugh. “This surprised the hell out of me!”

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