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Garth Brooks slammed for lip syncing at the 2017 CMA Awards: 'Unacceptable!'

Garth Brooks slammed for lip syncing at the 2017 CMA Awards: 'Unacceptable!'

Garth Brooks took home the top award at Wednesday night's 2017 CMA Awards, but the Entertainer of the Year is facing criticism for admitting to lip syncing his performance during the ceremony.

Brooks, who is one of the highest-selling musicians of all time, performed "Ask Me How I Know" at the 51st annual show and told People after the performance that he decided to lip sync because of his busy touring schedule.

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"We're in the middle of 12 shows in 10 days," he told People. "Not 10 shows in 12 days, 12 shows in 10 days. We did a game-time call on whether to sing the track or lip sync, and decided to lip sync. The voice just isn't there anymore, and you want to represent country music as best you can."

Fan reactions to Garth Brooks' decision to lip sync:

Brooks has been touring for almost three straight years with his wife, fellow country star Trisha Yearwood. The Garth Brooks Tour with Trisha Yearwood started in 2014 and will end in December after 383 shows.

Fans were divided on the 55-year-old musician's decision to lip sync on country music's biggest night. Some called the move "totally not acceptable" and said that it's "not what entertainers of the year do," while others defended his "choice" to save his voice.

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The "Friends in Low Places" hitmaker beat out Keith Urban, Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton to nab the top award of the night. Stapleton took home Male Vocalist of the Year, while Miranda Lambert nabbed Female Vocalist of the Year for the seventh time.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley co-hosted the CMAs for the 10th consecutive year live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

See photos of Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood throughout their relationship:

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