LIST: All Past Recipients Of The CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Charley Pride, Alan Jackson, and Dolly Parton are three past recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. (Photo Credits: ABC via Getty Images, Terry Wyatt / WireImage via Getty Images, Brett Oronzio / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Brooks & Dunn Will Soon Be The 11th 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 (2026), Brooks & Dunn will become the 11th artist to receive the award.
The award will be presented to the duo during the CMA Awards on November 18. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will accept the honor during the ceremony, following a tribute performance from a yet-to-be-announced lineup of artists.
“Few artists have left a mark on Country Music quite like Brooks & Dunn,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “As the most awarded duo in our genre’s history, Kix and Ronnie have spent more than three decades shaping the sound of Country Music. Their music has set a standard that still resonates with new generations of artists, while continuing to win over new generations of fans. We are proud to celebrate everything they’ve given to this genre and the mark they continue to leave on its future.”
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 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.
Dolly Parton passed away in August 2026.
Kris Kristofferson (2019)
After a three-year break, the CMA presented this prestigious honor to Willie Nelson’s 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 (2024)
“The King of Country,” George Strait, received the remarkable honor at the CMA Awards in 2024.
Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, and Parker McCollum delivered a medley of some of Strait’s greatest songs in tribute to him. Then, Strait took to the stage himself to sing “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with Chris Stapleton.
Vince Gill (2025)
The legendary Vince Gill received the award in 2025. George Strait made a surprise appearance to present the honor, which Gill graciously accepted.
Brandi Carlile and Gill’s longtime singing partner, Patty Loveless, honored him by singing “When I Call Your Name” during the ceremony.
Brooks & Dunn will soon join Gill and the other artists on this list as a recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award! Tune in to the 2026 CMA Awards on November 18 to watch them receive the honor.
Revisit a prior report about George Strait’s receipt of the award in 2024 in the video below.
