The Academy of Country Music has revealed the winners of awards that will not be televised during the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, due to time constraints when the ceremony is telecast live on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 6. Instead, Special Awards, Industry Awards, Studio Recording Awards and Songwriter of the Year honorees will be feted at the 8th Annual ACM Honors event on September 9, 2014 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Career Achievement Award – Toby Keith and Ronnie Milsap have been chosen to receive the Career Achievement Award, honoring an individual artist, duo, group or multiple artist collaboration that have advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music through their endeavors in the entertainment industry in multiple areas during the preceding calendar year. Past recipients of the Career Achievement Award include John Anderson, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Johnny Paycheck, Carl Perkins, Reba and Kenny Rogers.
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award – Bob Beckham has been chosen to receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre. Past recipients include Alabama, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, George Jones, The Judds, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Hank Williams, and Hank Williams Jr., among others.
Crystal Milestone Award – As previously announced, Merle Haggard has been chosen to receive the Crystal Milestone Award, which is given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement. Past recipients include Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Gayle Holcomb, Jennifer Nettles and Taylor Swift.
Gene Weed Special Achievement Award – Carrie Underwood has been chosen to receive the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award, which acknowledges unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement in country music. Past recipients include Garth Brooks, George Burns, Jeff Foxworthy, Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton and George Strait.
Jim Reeves International Award – Steve Buchanan and Rascal Flatts have been chosen to receive the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an artist for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world. Past recipients include Garth Brooks, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Merv Griffin, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum.
Mae Boren Axton Award – Paul Moore 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. Past recipients include John Dorris, Rod Essig, Gayle Holcomb, Jack Lameier, Marge Meoli, Ray Pilzak, Gaynelle Pitts, Gene Weed, Tommy Wiggins and David Young.
Poet’s Award – Jack Clement (awarded posthumously), Dean Dillon, Kris Kristofferson, and Buck Owens (awarded posthumously), 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. Previous recipients include Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Guy Clark, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Roger Miller, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams.
INDUSTRY AWARDS
- CASINO OF THE YEAR: Small Capacity – Mohegan Sun Wolf Den – Uncasville, CT; Medium Capacity – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
- NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR: Billy Bob’s Texas – Fort Worth, TX
- VENUE OF THE YEAR: Small Capacity – Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater – Austin, TX; Medium Capacity – Grand Ole Opry House – Nashville, TN; Large Capacity – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
- DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR: Nicole More – Neste Event Marketing
- PROMOTER OF THE YEAR: Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS (FORMERLY THE MBI AWARDS)
- BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Michael Rhodes
- DRUMMER OF THE YEAR: Shannon Forrest
- GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rob McNelley
- PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Charlie Judge
- STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Paul Franklin
- AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Justin Niebank
- PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Dann Huff
- SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bryan Sutton
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Shane McAnally
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
