CMA Awards   -  Archives

Anne Murray and Kenny Rogers co-host the night which contains several musical highlights. Dolly Parton wows the crowd with "He's Alive," backed by a 100-member choir. Legends like Roy Acuff and new acts like John Hiatt join the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band during their performance of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." The record of the same name wins the album of the year slot. Texan George Strait ends Hank Williams Jr.'s entertainer of the year reign, but Williams' "There's a Tear in My Beer" duet with his late father wins vocal event and the new music video of the year award. Ricky Van Shelton and Kathy Mattea earn the male and female vocalist awards, respectively. Vern Gosdin's now classic "Chiseled in Stone" wins song of the year for him and co-writer Max D. Barnes. Keith Whitley's "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" earns single of the year honors. The Judds continue to dominate the vocal duo category, and newcomer Clint Black snags the Horizon Award. Radio programmer and CMA award founder Jack Stapp joins entertainers Cliffie Stone and Hank Thompson as the newest inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame.