Kenny Rogers Honored with Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA

During last night’s (Wednesday, Nov. 6) 47th Annual CMA awards, newly inducted Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Rogers received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. He was saluted with an all-star tribute that featured Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker.

“Kenny Rogers is a living legend and Country Music trailblazer,” said Ed Hardy, President of the CMA Board of Directors, when Rogers was first named the recipient of the award. “He is more than deserving of this honor and what is sure to be a stellar tribute. He represents everything that this Award was intended to recognize when we initiated it last year with Willie.”

Rogers is a five-time CMA Awards winner with 23 career nominations. Rogers has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, recorded 24 No. 1 songs and 12 No. 1 albums, is a New York Times Bestselling author, and recently released his 35th studio album, You Can’t Make Old Friends.

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award was presented for the first time in 2012 to its namesake. The Lifetime Achievement Award was created and meant to be presented to an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The Award recognizes an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and public representation at the highest level.