Kenny Chesney Named Pinnacle Award Recipient for 50th Annual CMA Awards
The honor has only been given twice before to Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift.
The Country Music Association will honor Kenny Chesney with The Pinnacle Award, making him the third winner of the highly coveted award, at the 50th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
The Pinnacle Award was created in 2005 and was first awarded to Garth Brooks. It has only been received by one other artist since its inception… Taylor Swift in 2013. The award recognizes an artist who has earned global prominence through record sales and concert performances at a unique level in Country Music. The honoree’s talent has also proven to have a long-term positive impact on the appreciation of Country Music for future generations.
“I can’t think of a better occasion than the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards to present an award of this magnitude to an artist of this caliber,” declared Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Kenny’s outstanding career and the millions of fans he has touched through his enormously popular stadium shows epitomize the definition of the Pinnacle Award.”
“When you do what you do, you never think it’s a big deal,” said Chesney. “But when an organization like CMA recognizes you in this fashion, it makes you step back. To receive this award – especially during their 50th Anniversary – is such an honor, because they’re recognizing half a century of Country Music.”
Chesney has earned 43 CMA Award nominations and eight wins during his long career, including four Entertainer of the Year trophies.
The 50th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
