Kenny Chesney has posted a letter to his fans on the controversy over his statements to the media after winning his 4th consecutive ACM Entertainer of the Year award. Here’s what Kenny said after the awards show:

“I don’t think it’s right that they pick the one award that means the most, that all the artists sacrifice the most for,” Chesney told reporters backstage after thanking fans for voting for him as he accepted the award onstage.”They’ve taken it from what the award really represents (and turned it) into a sweepstakes to see who can push people’s buttons the hardest on the Internet,” Chesney said.

Controversy ensued, with many commentators saying that Chesney was ungrateful to the fans, or that he was a hypocrite for criticizing the decision to allow fans to vote for Entertainer of the Year while Chesney heavily encouraged his fans on his website to vote for him.

In response to the “firestorm”, Kenny has written a letter to his fans. Here’s a snippet:

I want to thank each of you personally for your part in this 4th Entertainer of the Year Award… You are not just the reason we do this, you are a lot of what makes us Entertainer of the Year. Beyond even your votes – which were critical – but the way you inspire me and the guys. We are more because you give so much… and I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate you, and how much a part of this you guys are.

Read the entire letter that Kenny posted on his website by going to www.kennychesney.com and clicking on “News.”