Country Music Association Awards

The Country Music Association Awards is a televised award show, honoring members of the country music scene. The CMA's were founded in 1958 and they are the first organization to promote a certain type of music. The organization started with 233 members and today has more than 6,000 members in 41 countries.CMA World: The History of the CMA's

41 Years of History Highlights

1967: The first CMA Awards; not televised
1968: The awards were taped by NBC
1969: First live television broadcast
1970: Merle Haggard nominated for nine awards
1971: Charley Pride won both "Male Vocalist" and "Entertainer of the Year"
1972: Loretta Lynn first female to be named "Entertainer of the Year"
1973: Roy Clark named "Entertainer of the Year"
1974: Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn won "Vocal Duo of the Year"
1975: Dolly Parton wins her first "Female Vocalist"
1976: The broadcast expanded from 60 to 90 minutes
1977: Ronnie Milsap won three awards
1978: The awards were simulcast on radio for the first time
1979: Kenny Rogers hosted the broadcast
1980: Johnny Cash inducted into the "Country Music Hall of Fame"
1981: "The Horizon Award" was presented for the first time
1982: Alabama became the first group to win "Entertainer of the Year"
1983: Little Jimmy Dickens was inducted into the "Country Music Hall of Fame"
1984: Reba McEntire won her first "Female Vocalist of the Year"
1985: Hank Williams, Jr. wins "Music Video of the Year Award"
1986: Hosted by Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson
1987: The awards were first broadcast in Canada
1988: Marked the first two-hour broadcast on the CBS
1989: The broadcast won its time slot in the ratings raceOfficial Site: History of the CMS's
1990: Garth Brooks won the "Horizon Award"
1991: President and Mrs. George Bush attend the broadcast
1992: More than 48 million viewers watched all or part of the gala eventOfficial Site: History of the CMS's
1993: Reba McEntire wore her infamous red dress with its plunging neckline
1994: Highest-rated entertainment special on CBSOfficial Site: History of the CMS's
1995: Alan Jackson won his first "Entertainer of the Year Award"
1996: Brooks & Dunn become the first duo in history to win "Entertainer of the Year"
1997: Shania Twain made her first public performance
1998: Elvis Presley entered the "Country Music Hall of Fame"
1999: Vince Gill hosts for the eighth consecutive year
2000: Montgomery Gentry end Brooks & Dunn’s eight-year winning streak
2001: Tim McGraw named "Entertainer of the Year"
2002: Alan Jackson made history when he was nominated for 10 awards
2003: Martina McBride picked up her third "Female Vocalist of the Year"
2004: Kenny Chesney picked up his first two CMA awards
2005: Garth Brooks came out of retirement to perform
2006: Show moved to ABC
2007: Brad Paisley wins "Male Vocalist of the Year"