Western swing artist Dave Alexander walked away with Entertainer of the Year honors from the Academy of Western Music at its annual awards show on July 15 at the Scott Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas. Warner Western recording artist Joni Harms snagged the Rising Star award, songwriter Cindy Walker was presented the Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Jesse Chisholm Award went to the Texas Ranch Roundup. The Academy of Western Artists recognizes artists in the categories of music and poetry as well in other arts including cartoonists, saddlemakers and engravers. Additional honors were awarded in categories such as Western Music and Western Swing.