CMA Awards   -  Archives

Ronnie Milsap takes home three CMA awards including entertainer, male vocalist and album of the year for Ronnie Milsap Live. Newcomer Kenny Rogers also has a big night. His song "Lucille" wins single of the year despite tough competition from classics like Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" and Waylon Jennings' "Luckenbach, Texas." "Lucille" is also named song of the year for writers Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum. Crystal Gayle wins her first female vocalist CMA award -- beating out sister Loretta Lynn. The pairing of Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius is named duo of the year. The Statler Brothers continue their regin as vocal group while the Original Texas Playboys earn instrumental group of the year. Singer-songwriter Merle Travis is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.