Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association founded in 1958 was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. [ [http://www.acmcountry.com Academy of Country Music] -> "The Academy" -> "History"] As such, its early membership was largely composed of those country performers based in the west. This is evidenced by the early awards shows being dominated by Bakersfield artists Buck and Bonnie Owens and Merle Haggard. At the first ceremony held in 1966, Buck Owens won for Top Male Vocalist and Bonnie Owens won for Top Female Vocalist. Haggard was named Top New Male Vocalist and Kaye Adams was named Top New Female Vocalist.

Awards

The most prestigious awards are for "Artist of the Decade" and "Entertainer of the Year." There are a number of other awards to recognize male and female vocalists, albums, videos, songs and musicians. The awards are typically presented in May and recognize achievement for the previous year. An award presented in 1999 is for achievement in 1998, i.e., the "1998" award.

Artists of the Decade

:1990s Garth Brooks (presented 1999):1980s Alabama (presented 1989):1970s Loretta Lynn (presented 1979):1960s Marty Robbins (presented 1969)

Entertainer of the Year

:2007 Kenny Chesney (presented 2008):2006 Kenny Chesney (presented 2007):2005 Kenny Chesney (presented 2006):2004 Kenny Chesney (presented 2005):2003 Toby Keith (presented 2004):2002 Toby Keith (presented 2003):2001 Brooks & Dunn (presented 2002):2000 Dixie Chicks (presented 2001):1999 Shania Twain (presented 2000):1998 Garth Brooks :1997 Garth Brooks:1996 Brooks & Dunn :1995 Brooks & Dunn :1994 Reba McEntire :1993 Garth Brooks :1992 Garth Brooks :1991 Garth Brooks:1990 Garth Brooks:1989 George Strait:1988 Hank Williams, Jr.:1987 Hank Williams, Jr.:1986 Hank Williams, Jr.:1985 Alabama:1984 Alabama:1983 Alabama:1982 Alabama:1981 Alabama:1980 Barbara Mandrell:1979 Willie Nelson:1978 Kenny Rogers:1977 Dolly Parton:1976 Mickey Gilley:1975 Loretta Lynn:1974 Mac Davis:1973 Roy Clark:1972 Roy Clark:1971 Freddie Hart:1970 Merle Haggard

Top Male Vocalist

:2007 Brad Paisley (presented 2008):2006 Brad Paisley (presented 2007):2005 Keith Urban (presented 2006):2004 Keith Urban (presented 2005):2003 Toby Keith (presented 2004):2002 Kenny Chesney (presented 2003):2001 Alan Jackson (presented 2002):2000 Toby Keith (presented 2001):1999 Tim McGraw (presented 2000):1998 Tim McGraw:1997 George Strait:1996 George Strait:1995 Alan Jackson:1994 Alan Jackson:1993 Vince Gill:1992 Vince Gill:1991 Garth Brooks:1990 Garth Brooks:1989 Clint Black:1988 George Strait:1987 Randy Travis:1986 Randy Travis:1985 George Strait:1984 George Strait:1983 Lee Greenwood:1982 Ronnie Milsap:1981 Merle Haggard:1980 George Jones:1979 Larry Gatlin:1978 Kenny Rogers:1977 Kenny Rogers:1976 Mickey Gilley:1975 Conway Twitty:1974 Merle Haggard:1973 Charlie Rich:1972 Merle Haggard:1971 Freddie Hart:1970 Merle Haggard:1969 Merle Haggard:1968 Glen Campbell:1967 Glen Campbell:1966 Merle Haggard:1965 Buck Owens

Top Female Vocalist

:2007 Carrie Underwood (presented 2008):2006 Carrie Underwood (presented 2007):2005 Sara Evans (presented 2006):2004 Gretchen Wilson (presented 2005):2003 Martina McBride (presented 2004):2002 Martina McBride (presented 2003):2001 Martina McBride (presented 2002):2000 Faith Hill (presented 2001):1999 Faith Hill (presented 2000):1998 Faith Hill:1997 Trisha Yearwood:1996 Patty Loveless:1995 Patty Loveless:1994 Reba McEntire:1993 Wynonna Judd:1992 Mary Chapin Carpenter:1991 Reba McEntire:1990 Reba McEntire:1989 Kathy Mattea:1988 K.T. Oslin:1987 Reba McEntire:1986 Reba McEntire:1985 Reba McEntire:1984 Reba McEntire:1983 Janie Fricke:1982 Sylvia:1981 Barbara Mandrell:1980 Dolly Parton:1979 Crystal Gayle:1978 Barbara Mandrell:1977 Crystal Gayle:1976 Crystal Gayle:1975 Loretta Lynn:1974 Loretta Lynn:1973 Loretta Lynn:1972 Donna Fargo:1971 Loretta Lynn:1970 Lynn Anderson:1969 Tammy Wynette:1968 Cathie Taylor:1967 Lynn Anderson:1966 Bonnie Guitar:1965 Bonnie Owens

Awards by year

2007 (presented 2008)

2004

2001

1998

1995

1992

1989

1986

1983

1980

1977

1974

1971

1968

1965

ee also

*Country Music Association
*Country Music Hall of Fame
*Grand Ole Opry

External links

* [http://www.acmcountry.com/ Academy Of Country Music - Official Website]

References