Kenny Chesney Reaches Pinnacle With CMA Honor

Kenny Chesney. Photo: Jill Trunnell

Kenny Chesney will be honored with the prestigious Pinnacle Award at the 50^th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2 for his industry achievements. Chesney is only the third artist to receive the honor, behind Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift, since its inception in 2005.

“When you do what you do, you never think it’s a big deal,” Chesney said. “But when an organization like CMA recognizes you in this fashion, it makes you step back. To receive this award – especially during their 50^th Anniversary – is such an honor, because they’re recognizing half a century of country music.”

The Pinnacle Award recognizes an artist with outstanding achievements in touring, sales, and worldwide recognition and whose talent will have a long-term impact on the appreciation of country music for generations to come.

“I can’t think of a better occasion than the 50^th Anniversary of the CMA Awards to present an award of this magnitude to an artist of this caliber,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Kenny’s outstanding career and the millions of fans he has touched through his enormously popular stadium shows epitomize the definition of the Pinnacle Award.”

Chesney has 43 career CMA Awards nominations and eight wins, including four for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for When the Sun Goes Down (2004), Music Video of the Year for “You and Tequila” (2011), and two for Musical Event of the Year for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (2007) and “Feel Like A Rock Star” (2012).