Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini and More Named ACM Special Awards Honorees
Awards will be presented during the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on Wednesday, August 23.
Several of country music’s finest have been named winners of the Special Awards for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards. Announced Tuesday (5/30), the Academy of Country Music revealed the honorees that will be honored during the 11th Annual ACM Honors event.
The artists being honored at the Wednesday, August 23 event in Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium include Kelsea Ballerini, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Bob Kingsley, Reba McEntire, Nashville, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Shel Silverstein, and George Strait.
“Yeah Boy” singer Ballerini will be honored with the Gene Weed Milestone Award, which is presented to a country music artist, duo, group or industry leader for an outstanding achievement in the field of country music. Previous honorees include Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Loretta Lynn and others.
Parton will receive the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award for devoting time to improving lives through music, generosity and by serving others. Previous recipients include Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, among others.
The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors. Awards will be presented during the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on Wednesday, August 23, with the television broadcast airing on CBS on a later date. See the full list of honorees below.
Cliffie Stone Icon Award – George Strait
Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award – Dolly Parton
Gene Weed Milestone Award – Kelsea Ballerini
Mae Boren Zxton Service Award – Bob Kingsley and Reba McEntire
Merle Haggard Spirit Award – Eric Church
Poet’s Award – Toby Keith, Willie Nelson and Shel Silverstein (awarded posthumously)
Tex Ritter Film Award – Nashville
Songwriter of the Year Award – Previously announced winner Lori McKenna
