Carrie Underwood Songs Earn Her An ACM Special Achievement Award; Merle Haggard, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Ronnie Milsap Join Carrie Underwood in Wins
Carrie Underwood songs got her nominated to be the recipient of the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award by the Academy of Country Music.
On March 21, The Academy of Country Music announced that Carrie Underwood is one of the early winners of the 2014 ACM Awards. The former American Idol star will join Rascal Flatts, Ronnie Milsap, Toby Keith and other musicians for the prizes.
The Academy of Country Music announced the winners of the awards that won't be televised awards on the 49th annual ACM Awards, besides Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith, Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson will also nab off-camera prizes.
Carrie Underwood, the "American Idol" winner and country music superstar will receive the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award. She joins past winners like Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson and George Strait. The Gene Weed Awards acknowledges "unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement in country music."
Carrie Underwood is a rare ACM Triple Crown recipient. Underwood recently finished her Blown Away Tour. She also thrilled TV audiences with performances on "Sunday Night Football' and NBC's televised remake of "The Sound of Music."
Besides music, Carrie Underwood has been successful with product endorsements, acting and concert tours. She has hosted the CMA and her efforts in philanthropy are ongoing.
Carrie Underwood had a great year last year when she was on NFL Sunday Night Football and took the lead role in the NBC broadcast of The Sound of Music. Underwood took on the same role as the iconic Julie Andrews.
Toby Keith and Ronnie Milsap will get the Career Achievement Award. The trophy recognizes an individual artist, duo, group or multiple artist collaboration that has advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music.
Toby Keith has been advancing that popularity since 2003's 'Should've Been a Cowboy." Since then he's had 20 No. 1 country singles.
Merle Haggard, the Okie from Muskogee, won the Crystal Milestone Award. The prize commemorates the specific, remarkable achievement of 50 years in country music.
Kris Kristofferson, Dean Dillon and the late Jack Clement and Buck Owens will all win the Poet's Award which honors songwriters.
Additional off-camera awards are as follows:
Bass player: Michael Rhodes
Drummer: Shannon Forrest
Guitar player: Rob McNelley
Piano/keyboards Player: Charlie Judge
Steel guitar layer: Paul Franklin
Audio engineer: Justin Niebank
Producer: Dann Huff
Specialty instruments player: Bryan Sutton
Songwriter: Shane McAnally
Casino, small capacity: Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (Uncasville, Conn.)
Casino, medium capacity: Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, Conn.)
Nightclub: Billy Bob's Texas (Fort Worth, Texas)
Venue, small capacity: Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater (Austin)
Venue, medium capacity: Grand Ole Opry House (Nashville)
Venue, large capacity: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville)
Don Romeo Talent Buyer: Nicole More (Neste Event Marketing)
Promoter: Brian O'Connell (Live Nation)