LIST: All Past Recipients Of The CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

George Strait Will Soon Be The Ninth Country Artist To Receive The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is arguably the most prestigious award from the CMA. It is so prestigious, in fact, that it isn’t even presented every year.

According to a description in a CMA press release, the award recognizes:

“an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The award recognizes those who have achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre over the course of many years and has proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.”

This year (2024), George Strait will become the ninth artist to receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented to “The King of Country” during the CMA Awards ceremony on November 20.

“As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to many of the great, new artists we know today,” said Sarah Trahern, the CMA’s Chief Executive Officer. “I am thrilled we are awarding him with this deserving honor…“

Keep Reading For A Full List Of Singers Who’ve Been Honored With The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award In The Past

Willie Nelson (2012)

It only makes sense that the inaugural Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to its namesake, Willie Nelson, who was honored with it in 2012. Lady A, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill closed the 46th CMA Awards with a tribute to Nelson.

Kenny Rogers (2013)

In 2013, Kenny Rogers became the second artist to earn the honor. He received a tribute from Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker, who performed a medley of his songs at the CMA Awards that year.

Rogers passed away in 2020 at the age of 81.

Johnny Cash (2015)

The CMA honored the late Johnny Cash with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He was the first (and so far only) artist to receive the honor posthumously.

Dolly Parton (2016)

Country music icon Dolly Parton received the award during the 50th CMA Awards in 2016. Pentatonix, Jennifer Nettles, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood, and Martina McBride performed a medley of songs in her honor.

Kris Kristofferson (2019)

After a three-year break, the CMA presented the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award to his good friend, Kris Kristofferson, in 2019.

However, he couldn’t attend the ceremony because he previously had a concert scheduled for that same night. Still, Joe Walsh, Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson, and John Osborne performed “Me and Bobby McGee” in his honor.

Kris Kristofferson died in 2024 at the age of 88.

Charley Pride (2020)

Charley Pride became the sixth artist to receive the prestigious honor. He performed “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'” during the 2020 CMA Awards to celebrate with his peers.

Sadly, that was Pride’s last televised performance. He passed away just one month later on December 12, 2020, at the age of 86.

Loretta Lynn (2021)

Another one of Nelson’s good friends, Loretta Lynn, received his namesake award from the CMA in 2021. Lynn passed away the following year, on October 4, 2022, at the age of 90.

Alan Jackson (2022)

Alan Jackson received the CMA’s prestigious honor during the 2022 CMA Awards.

Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Jon Pardi, and Lainey Wilson performed a medley of his hits before Jackson sang “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” He followed up by delivering an emotional speech.

George Strait will soon join this list of legendary artists! Tune in to the 2024 CMA Awards on November 20 to watch him receive his award.