The following is a press release:
The 15th Academy of Country Music Honors will celebrate winners of the Special Awards, Songwriter of the Year Award, Studio Recording Awards, and Industry Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday, August 24th. Featuring live music and tributes celebrating recipients of the Academy of Country Music’s honors, the can’t miss event will be announcing further details around hosts, guests, performers, and more in the coming weeks.
This year’s Songwriter of the Year recipient is HARDY and the Special Awards categories include:
The Cliffie Stone Icon Award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader who has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, George Strait, and Conway Twitty.
The Gene Weed Milestone Award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader with an outstanding achievement in the genre during the preceding calendar year. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, Merle Haggard, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood.
The Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Rascal Flatts, Dolly Parton, Darius Rucker, and Carrie Underwood.
The Jim Reeves International Award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the growth of country music throughout the world. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Kacey Musgraves, and Taylor Swift.
The Mae Boren Axton Service Award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music. Notable winners from the past 15 years include RAC Clark, Bob Kingsley, Reba McEntire, and Keith Urban.
The Merle Haggard Spirit Award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of country legend and 20-time ACM Award Winner Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs and epitomizing Merle’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling. Past winners include Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Toby Keith, and Miranda Lambert.
The Poet’s Award is presented to a Country Music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Bill Anderson, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, and Hank Williams.
The Tex Ritter Film Award recognizes an outstanding television movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music. Notable winners from the past 15 years include Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, Nashville, A Star Is Born, and Ken Burns’s Country Music.
