Willie Nelson’s earned just about every Country music honor there is – and is even a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame – but he’s just added one more trophy to his crowded shelves. Nelson picked up the very first CMA Lifetime Achievement Award during the 46th Annual CMA Awards broadcast on November 1, 2012 from Nashville, Tennessee.
Show host Brad Paisley had the honor of presenting Nelson with the two-foot-tall trophy. “Wow,” said Nelson, smiling. “You could do push-ups with this. This is a great honor. Thank you to the CMA.”
“Willie is an iconic musical legend and innovator,” stated Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Even as he approaches his 80th birthday, Willie continues to be a lasting and meaningful influence on our music and artists. There is no one more deserving of this honor than Mr. Willie Nelson.”
According to the Country Music Association, the Lifetime Achievement Award “was created and meant to be presented to an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The award recognizes an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and public representation at the highest level.”
Going forward, the award will be known as the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
