ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC SPECIAL AWARDS
The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are not necessarily awarded every year, but instead are given out in years when there are clear and deserving candidates. Special Award winners, as well as winners of the Industry and Musician/Bandleader/Instrumentalist (MBI) categories, are recognized at the Academy of Country Music Honors, a gala musical event held in Nashville.
This year's event, the 2nd Annual ACM Honors, was held September 22nd at the Schermerhorn Symphony Hall in Nashville and honored the following award recipients (read more about the event here):
CRYSTAL MILESTONE AWARD
JENNIFER NETTLES
As the lead vocalist of country super-duo Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles has already won much acclaim as both an industry and a fan favorite who challenges musical traditions as much as she also upholds them. In 2008, Nettles reached new heights of her own by sweeping the “triple crown”---ACM Award, CMA Award and Grammy Award--for country songwriting with Sugarland’s hit “Stay,” which Nettles wrote and performed with the kind of raw, piercing power that only the most gifted artists achieve. The song brought to light her depth as a writer and as a woman, for which Nettles carries the torch by making her indelible stamp in a traditionally male-dominated field. She is the first woman to solo-write the Academy’s Song of the Year since 1972, when Donna Fargo penned "The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A."
TAYLOR SWIFT
Nineteen-year-old Taylor Swift is a bona-fide multimedia sensation who has brought country music back to younger audiences and successfully maneuvered between music genres with both of her No. 1 studio albums in 2008. As an icon, Swift has been everywhere from Rolling Stone to MTV and has become a household name in the little more than two years since her debut on Big Machine Records. She scorched the charts and made history in 2008, being named Billboard’s Best-Selling Artist of all genres. In the digital realm, Swift sold more than nine million digital downloads in 2008, and she surpassed six million in sales for her first two studio albums. With “Our Song,” Swift became the youngest female country artist to write and perform a No. 1 country single. Her latest album, Fearless, garnered the biggest-selling debut week for a female artist in any genre in 2008.
Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and Hank Williams Jr. have been chosen to receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.
Dolly Parton has been chosen to receive the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
Merle Haggard and Harlan Howard have been selected to receive the Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music.
Beer For My Horses been chosen as the recipient of the Tex Ritter Award, which is given to a movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music.
David Young has been chosen as the recipient of the Mae Boren Axton Award, which is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music.
MORE ON THE 2009 WINNERS
JIM REEVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD - Dolly Parton
An internationally renowned singer, actor, songwriter and philanthropist, Dolly Parton’s accomplishments have made her a global superstar. She has contributed countless treasures to the world of entertainment, penning classic songs such as "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and her mega-hit "I Will Always Love You." After 40 years as an entertainer, Parton is still shoring up the foundation of country music sharing it around the world.
Past recipients of the Jim Reeves International Award include Garth Brooks, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Merv Griffin, Charlie Nagatani and Buck Owens, among others.
POET'S AWARD – Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard scored his first Top 20 in 1964 with a cover of Wynn Stewart’s “Sing A Sad Song,” followed up by his own major hit “Swinging Doors” and his first No. 1 single, “The Fugitive.” Haggard gained popularity in 1969 with songs like “Working Man Blues” and the controversial rebel anthem “Okie from Muskogee.” He dominated the charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s with 40 No. 1 hits including “That’s The Way Love Goes,” “Hungry Eyes,” “Today, I Started Loving You Again” and “Mama Tried.”
POET'S AWARD – Harlan Howard
More than 4,000 songs have come from the pen of legendary scribe Harlan Howard including “I Fall To Pieces,” “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail,” “Somebody Should Leave” and “Why Not Me.” Howard’s career finally took flight during the late 1950s when a few songs such as Charlie Walker’s rendition of “Pick Me Up on Your Way Down” and Ray Price’s “Heartaches by the Numbers” both hit No. 2 on the country charts. Howard scored an unprecedented 15 compositions in the Top 40 during 1961 and penned 100 Top 10 hits throughout his songwriting career. He died at the age of 74 on March 3, 2002 in Nashville and his legacy lives on through his songs that are still recorded by artists today.
PIONEER AWARD – Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed scored his first single “If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creeks Don’t Rise” when he was just 18 years old, and gained recognition in 1958 when Gene Vincent covered his “Crazy Legs.” He penned Brenda Lee’s “That’s All You Got to Do” and had his own hits with “Goodnight Irene,” “If I Don’t Live Up to It” and his first charting single “Guitar Man,” which was later covered by Elvis Presley. He released his biggest hit “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” in 1971, followed by a string of Top 40 hits and continued to record and release songs into the 1980s.
PIONEER AWARD – Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers got his first taste of musical fame as a member of First Edition with hits "Reuben James" and "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town,” and became a superstar in his own right with a string of timeless story songs including “Lucille,” "The Gambler," "Daytime Friends," and “Coward of the County." He has nine ACM awards to his credit (among countless other awards), including Entertainer of the Year in 1978 and the Career Achievement Award in 2000. Rogers has sold more than 120 million records during his illustrious career, and is one of the Top 10 best-selling artists of all time. His new project is scheduled for release in 2009, featuring another duet with fellow music legend Dolly Parton.
PIONEER AWARD – Randy Travis
Randy Travis’ debut, Storms of Life, sold more than three million copies, making him the first country act to go multi-platinum. Travis dominated radio in the late 1980s with his instantly recognizable baritone on classic hits such as “On the Other Hand,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “No Place Like Home,” and “Forever and Ever Amen.” To date, Travis has sold more than 25 million records, has 22 No. 1 hits, six Grammy Awards, nine ACM Awards, 10 American Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
PIONEER AWARD – Hank Williams Jr.
Hank Williams Jr., has made an everlasting mark on the music industry with his observations on life and society in songs such as “A Country Boy Can Survive,” “Family Tradition,” “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)” and “Whiskey Bent and Hellbound,” which have shown his skill for storytelling. Williams was named the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year three times.
Past recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award include Alabama, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride, Tex Ritter, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Hank Williams, Sr., and Bob Wills, among others.
TEX RITTER AWARD – Beer For My Horses
Beer For My Horses (August 2008, Produced by CMT Films and Show Dog Productions; Distributed by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate.) is an action-packed movie starring Toby Keith and comedian Rodney Carrington. Keith plays Joe Bill "Rack" Racklin, a rogue Oklahoma deputy sheriff who has just watched another girlfriend pack up and drive out of his life when an old flame, Annie (Claire Forlani, CSI: NY) moves back home from the big city—but their reunion is interrupted when Annie is kidnapped. Operating against orders and racing against time, Rack hits the road with deputy and best friend Lonnie (Carrington) for a raucous road trip across state lines to rescue the love of his life. The film features appearances by Emmy winner Tom Skerritt, rock star Ted Nugent and music legend Willie Nelson.
Past recipients of the Tex Ritter Award include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, O’Brother, Where Art Thou, Sweet Dreams and Walk the Line, among others.
MAE BOREN AXTON AWARD – David Young
David Young has been with the Academy of Country Music in various positions for 20 years. Most recently as senior director of operations, his responsibilities have included managing the office and all logistics for the Academy. Additionally, Young has been an essential part of making the ACM Awards run smoothly by overseeing various show-related areas including credentialing, hotel reservations, ground transportation, on-location catering and ACM in-house production for the New Artists Show and the All-Star Jam. During his tenure, he has overseen logistics for additional ACM events including the Celebrity Golf Classic and has managed office technology, coordinating volunteers and interns, and worked as a liaison with dick clark productions. Young joined the Academy as a receptionist in 1989 and was quickly promoted to executive assistant for the former executive director of the Academy, Fran Boyd, who retired in 2002. Young’s enthusiasm, worth ethic and spirit eventually propelled him to senior director, a position in which he made an integral impact on the Academy’s growth and future.
Past recipients of the Mae Boren Axton Award include Jack Lameier, Marge Meoli, Ray Pilzak, Gaynelle Pitts, and Gene Weed.
ABOUT OUR SPECIAL AWARDS:
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The ACM Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist, duo, group or multiple artist collaboration who have advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music through their endeavors in the entertainment industry in multiple areas during the preceding calendar year, including but not limited to writing, recording, production, concert tours/festivals, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.
CLIFFIE STONE PIONEER AWARD
This award is presented to an outstanding pioneer of country music and is named in honor of entertainer Cliffie Stone. A California native, Stone was known for his struggle to bring California's country & western music into favor in post-World War II America. He began playing bass in big bands with Freddie Slack and Anson Weeks as well as with other bands around Hollywood and Pasadena, but it was his work on radio stations KFUD and KFWB that brought him respect. Shows such as Covered Wagon Jubilee and Lucky Stars, broadcast out of Los Angeles, allowed him to show off his numerous skills. Working as a DJ, comedian, performer, and host, Stone won fame doing 28 radio shows a week between 1943 and 1947. As a featured performer on the Hollywood Barn Dance, he made a place for himself in country music history. In 1946 he accepted a position with Capitol Records, who were gearing up for the still as yet undefined Bakersfield movement. An A&R executive with Capitol for 20 years, Stone discovered Tennessee Ernie Ford, whom he managed from 1947 to 1957, Molly Bee, Hank Thompson, and others who were flocking to L.A. to record. Concentrating on the business side of things, the 1960s saw Stone's publishing company, Central Songs, flourish. He even headed up a label, Granite, for a time. The father of Curtis Stone, one of the founding members of Highway 101, Stone wrote several books, including Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Songwriting But Didn't Know Who to Ask, published in 1991. He died of a heart attack on January 17, 1998. (excerpt from Jana Pendragon, All Music Guide)
CRYSTAL MILESTONE AWARD
Established in 2007, the Crystal Milestone Award commemorates a specific, remarkable achievement by an artist or industry leader.
JIM REEVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD
This award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world. The accolade is named in honor of Gentleman Jim Reeves, who was perhaps the biggest male star to emerge from the Nashville sound. His mellow baritone voice and muted velvet orchestration combined to create a sound that echoed around his world and has lasted to this day. From 1955 through 1969, Reeves was consistently in the country and pop charts -- an amazing fact in light of his untimely death in an airplane accident in 1964. Not only was he a presence in the American charts, but he became country music's foremost international ambassador and, if anything, was even more popular in Europe and Britain than in his native America. Throughout the '50s and early '60s, Reeves racked up a number of major hits and country classics like "Four Walls" (number one for eight weeks, 1957), "Anna Marie" (1958), "Blue Boy" (number two, 1958), "Billy Bayou" (number one for five weeks, 1959), "He'll Have to Go" (number one for 14 weeks, 1960), "Adios Amigo" (number two, 1962), "Welcome to My World" (number two, 1964), and "I Guess I'm Crazy" (number one for seven weeks, 1964). "Four Walls" was the turning point in his career, proving to both Reeves himself and his producer, Chet Atkins, that his main source of success would come from ballads. As a result, Reeves became an even bigger star, no not only in America but throughout the world. Reeves toured Europe and South Africa, building a strong following in countries that rarely had been open to country music in the past. Reeves was at the height of his career when his private plane crashed outside of Nashville on July 31, 1964. The bodies of Reeves and his manager, Dean Manuel, were found two days later and were buried in his home state of Texas. Reeves was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967, and two years later, the Academy of Country Music instituted the Jim Reeves International Award. (excerpts from David Vinopal, All Music Guide)
MAE BOREN AXTON AWARD
This award is given to recognize an individual's dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music and is named for the "Queen Mother of Nashville" Mae Boren Axton. Axton was enormously influential in the Nashville music industry, and for decades she used her influence to contribute to the success of many musical careers including Reba McIntire, Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton and Elvis Presley. She co-wrote "Heartbreak Hotel," which became Presley's first million seller. Axton wrote some 200 songs, 14 of which made the charts. After years of songwriting, journalism and public relations, Axton became vice president of administration and public relations for DPI Records. Axton's health forced her into retirement in her late 70's. Tragically, in 1997 at the age of 82, she accidentally drowned in her hot tub at her home in Hendersonville, Tenn.
POET'S AWARD
First awarded to Bill Anderson and Fred Rose in 2008, the Poet's Award goes to a songwriter or songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music. Special consideration is given to a song or song's impact on the culture of country music.
TEX RITTER AWARD (MOTION PICTURE)
This award is given to a movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music, voted by the Board of Directors.