CMA Awards   -  Archives

Singer-songwriter and musician Ricky Skaggs wins his first entertainer of the year award. The 19th annual CMA Awards show is a night of many firsts. It is the first time the organization awards music video of the year honors giving Hank Williams Jr. his first CMA award for "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight." It is the first time George Strait is named male vocalist. Strait also wins his first album of the year award for Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind. The high-energy performers Sawyer Brown win their first group of the year honor. The Judds take home their first vocal group of the year award and their first single of the year trophy for "Why Not Me." The patriotic anthem "God Bless the U.S.A." gives writer Lee Greenwood his first song of the year nod. During the show, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Ray Price and Juice Newton perform the songs of Willie Nelson in a special tribute. The talented duo Flatt and Scruggs are inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.