ACM Announces Off-Camera Winners
The Academy of Country Music has announced winners of awards that will not be televised during the live telecast of the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast on April 5.
Dolly Parton will receive the Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
This year’s Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers will go to Merle Haggard and the late Harlan Howard.
The ACM’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award will go to the late Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and Hank Williams Jr. The Pioneer Award honors individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.
The ACM’s Tex Ritter Award is given each year to a movie receiving major exposure that features or utilizes country music. This year’s Tex Ritter Award goes to Beer For My Horses, produced by CMT Films and Show Dog Productions and starring Show Dog’s Toby Keith.
The Mae Boren Axton Award is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music. This year’s Mae Boren Axton Award will go to David Young, who has been with the Academy of Country Music in various positions for 20 years, most recently as Senior Director of Operations.
The following will receive this year’s MBI (musician, band, instrumental) Awards:
Tom Bukovac — guitarist
Gordon Mote — piano/keyboard
Glen Worf — bass
Greg Morrow — percussionist/drummer
Dan Dugmore — steel guitar
Aubrey Haynie — fiddle
Eric Darken (percussion) and Jelly Roll Johnson (harmonica) — specialty instrument
Chuck Ainley — audio engineer
Tony Brown — producer
The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 7:00 PM/CT on the CBS Television Network.
Filed Under: Artist • Featured • Marketing/Media • Organizations
About the Author: Peter Cronin has been covering the country music industry for two decades for publications including Musician, Billboard and CMA Close Up and has held publishing positions with companies including Maverick Music, Bug Music and SESAC.
I'm happy to hear this.because I haven't been able to buy cds for a very long time. i hope UMG ...
I don't remember there being so much steel guitar in the original version... 
Faith has got this one right on. Nice job. Thanks to whomever posted this. 
Faith did an outstanding job on that song! She looked stunning! 
To quote another poster, "ROCK ON NED!"
[...] Parton, Merle Haggard and Harland Howard were among the winners of Special Awards announced by the Academy of Country Music on Tuesday. They won’t be televised with the [...]