George Strait, who is known as “the King Of Country Music,” is set to receive the 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 20.
“There have been few other artists as authentically Texas and authentically Country as George Strait, and Country Music fans all over the world have been better for it,” CMA Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern, said. “As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to many of the great, new artists we know today. I am thrilled we are awarding him with this deserving honor next month.”
The Country Music Association (CMA) announced that the country music icon will be on hand at the highly anticipated awards show to receive the prestigious honor, following a star-studded tribute performance by artists who deeply admire Strait.
With a career spanning over 40 years, George Strait has achieved unmatched success, including 60 No. 1 singles and 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum albums. The Texas Country legend is celebrated for seamlessly blending timeless familiarity with fresh energy in both his live performances and studio recordings.
Strait is the only artist in history to secure a Top 10 hit every year for more than three decades. He has sold over 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major industry awards. His extensive discography—31 studio albums, three live albums, and 11 compilations—cements his status as one of Country Music’s most decorated artists. Among his accolades are three CMA Entertainer of the Year awards (1989, 1990, 2013), 17 CMA wins, and a record-setting 83 CMA nominations. Strait is also a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
What Is The CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award?
According to a press release, the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an “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,” the press release also stated.
Previous Recipients
Previous recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement award include: Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021) and Alan Jackson (2022).
The 58th Annual CMA Awards
The 2024 CMA Awards will also feature performances from Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Eric Church, Bailey Zimmerman, Megan Moroney, Luke Combs, Kacey Musgraves, Ella Langley, Riley Green, Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan, Dierks Bentley, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Thomas Rhett, Teddy Swims, and more.
The three-hour broadcast will also include a star-studded lineup of presenters, including Simone Biles, Clint Black, Jeff Bridges, Mark Collie, Jordan Davis, The Oak Ridges Boys, Mitchell Tenpenny, Dustin Lynch, Caleb Pressley, Freddie Freeman, Little Big Town, Carly Pearce, Katharine McPhee, and Billy Bob Thornton, among others.
Co-hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson, the 58th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20, on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu starting November 21.
