Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year

Last updated
Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year
Lainey Wilson 2020.jpg
Current winner of the award Lainey Wilson
CountryUnited States
Presented by Country Music Association
First awarded1967
Currently held by Lainey Wilson (2023)

The Country Music Association Awards is a major awards show in country music, with the highest honor being the award for Entertainer of the Year. It is the final award presented at the ceremony and recognizes the artist "displaying the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field", with consideration to not only recorded performance but also "in-person performance, public acceptance, leadership, and overall contribution to country music" they have exhibited throughout the eligibility period. [1] It is generally considered the highest competitive honor presented at the CMA Awards.

Contents

The inaugural recipient of the award was Eddy Arnold in 1967, with Loretta Lynn becoming the first female winner in 1972, and Alabama being the first group awarded in 1982. Garth Brooks holds the record for most wins in the category, with seven, while three-time recipient George Strait has a leading nineteen nominations. To date, Barbara Mandrell and Taylor Swift are the only women to have won twice. Chris Stapleton holds the record for most nominations without a win, with seven. The current holder of the award is Lainey Wilson, who won in 2023.

Recipients

In the following tables, the years correspond to the date of the ceremony. Artists are eligible based on their work of the previous calendar year. Entries with a blue ribbon next to the artist's name have won the award; those with a white background are the nominees on the short-list.

Eric Church won the award in 2020 Eric Church 2012 Cropped.jpg
Eric Church won the award in 2020
Garth Brooks has the most wins in this category with seven Garth Brooks 2021.jpg
Garth Brooks has the most wins in this category with seven
George Strait received the award in 1989, 1990 and 2013 George Strait 2014 1.jpg
George Strait received the award in 1989, 1990 and 2013
Taylor Swift is the youngest artist and second woman to win twice Taylor Swift Sydney.jpg
Taylor Swift is the youngest artist and second woman to win twice
Brad Paisley received the honor in 2010 Brad Paisley at the White House.jpg
Brad Paisley received the honor in 2010
Four-time recipient Kenny Chesney Kenny Chesney 20070830.jpg
Four-time recipient Kenny Chesney
Back-to-back winner Alan Jackson AlanJacksonApr10.jpg
Back-to-back winner Alan Jackson
1986 winner Reba McEntire, and most nominated Female Artist. RebaMcEntireApr10.jpg
1986 winner Reba McEntire, and most nominated Female Artist.
Dixie Chicks are the only female group to be crowned DixieChicksMSG062003.jpg
Dixie Chicks are the only female group to be crowned
Shania Twain was the first non-American winner ShaniaTwain3.jpg
Shania Twain was the first non-American winner
Two-time recipient Vince Gill is also a five-time male vocalist Vince Gill.png
Two-time recipient Vince Gill is also a five-time male vocalist
Alabama have received the honor three times Alabama at Bayfest 2014.jpg
Alabama have received the honor three times
Barbara Mandrell is the first person to win twice Barbara Mandrell 1991 U.S.O. Show.jpg
Barbara Mandrell is the first person to win twice
1979 recipient Willie Nelson Willie UK2K7 2.JPG
1979 recipient Willie Nelson
1978 entertainer of the year Dolly Parton is also a two-time female vocalist Dolly Parton Australia.jpg
1978 entertainer of the year Dolly Parton is also a two-time female vocalist
Loretta Lynn is the first woman to win entertainer of the year Loretta Lynn.jpg
Loretta Lynn is the first woman to win entertainer of the year
1971 recipient Charley Pride was the only person of colour to win a CMA award until 2009 Charley-Pride 1981.JPEG
1971 recipient Charley Pride was the only person of colour to win a CMA award until 2009
1968 recipient Glen Campbell Campbell1.jpg
1968 recipient Glen Campbell


YearWinnerNominees
2023 Blueribbon icon.png Lainey Wilson
2022 Blueribbon icon.png Luke Combs
2021 Blueribbon icon.png Luke Combs
2020 Blueribbon icon.png Eric Church
2019 Blueribbon icon.png Garth Brooks
2018 [2] Blueribbon icon.png Keith Urban
2017 [3] Blueribbon icon.png Garth Brooks
2016 [4] Blueribbon icon.png Garth Brooks
2015 [5] Blueribbon icon.png Luke Bryan
2014 [6] Blueribbon icon.png Luke Bryan
2013 [7] Blueribbon icon.png George Strait
2012 [8] Blueribbon icon.png Blake Shelton
2011 [9] Blueribbon icon.png Taylor Swift
2010 [10] Blueribbon icon.png Brad Paisley
2009 Blueribbon icon.png Taylor Swift
2008 Blueribbon icon.png Kenny Chesney
2007 Blueribbon icon.png Kenny Chesney
2006 Blueribbon icon.png Kenny Chesney
2005 Blueribbon icon.png Keith Urban
2004 Blueribbon icon.png Kenny Chesney
2003 Blueribbon icon.png Alan Jackson
2002 Blueribbon icon.png Alan Jackson
2001 Blueribbon icon.png Tim McGraw
2000 Blueribbon icon.png Dixie Chicks
1999 Blueribbon icon.png Shania Twain
1998 Blueribbon icon.png Garth Brooks
1997 Blueribbon icon.png Garth Brooks
1996 Blueribbon icon.png Brooks & Dunn
1995 Blueribbon icon.png Alan Jackson
1994 Blueribbon icon.png Vince Gill
1993 Blueribbon icon.png Vince Gill
1992 Blueribbon icon.png Garth Brooks
1991 Blueribbon icon.png Garth Brooks
1990 Blueribbon icon.png George Strait
1989 Blueribbon icon.png George Strait
1988 Blueribbon icon.png Hank Williams, Jr.
1987 Blueribbon icon.png Hank Williams, Jr.
1986 Blueribbon icon.png Reba McEntire
1985 Blueribbon icon.png Ricky Skaggs
1984 Blueribbon icon.png Alabama
1983 Blueribbon icon.png Alabama
1982 Blueribbon icon.png Alabama
1981 Blueribbon icon.png Barbara Mandrell
1980 Blueribbon icon.png Barbara Mandrell
1979 Blueribbon icon.png Willie Nelson
1978 Blueribbon icon.png Dolly Parton
1977 Blueribbon icon.png Ronnie Milsap
1976 Blueribbon icon.png Mel Tillis
1975 Blueribbon icon.png John Denver
1974 Blueribbon icon.png Charlie Rich
1973 Blueribbon icon.png Roy Clark
1972 Blueribbon icon.png Loretta Lynn
1971 Blueribbon icon.png Charley Pride
1970 Blueribbon icon.png Merle Haggard
1969 Blueribbon icon.png Johnny Cash
1968 Blueribbon icon.png Glen Campbell
1967 Blueribbon icon.png Eddy Arnold

Artists with multiple wins

Artists that received multiple awards
AwardsArtist
7 Garth Brooks
4 Kenny Chesney
3 Alabama
Alan Jackson
George Strait
2 Barbara Mandrell
Hank Williams Jr.
Keith Urban
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Taylor Swift
Vince Gill

Artists with multiple nominations

19 nominations
13 nominations
12 nominations
11 nominations
10 nominations
9 nominations
8 nominations
7 nominations
6 nominations
5 nominations
4 nominations
3 nominations
2 nominations

Won on First nomination

See also

Related Research Articles

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Country Music Association Awards</span>

The 2007 Country Music Association Award, 41st Ceremony, was held on November 7, 2007, at the Sommet Center (later the Bridgestone Arena) in Nashville, Tennessee. The ceremony did not feature a host, but artists and guests introduced and presented awards throughout the evening. Brad Paisley, George Strait led the night with 5 nominations each including, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50th Annual Country Music Association Awards</span>

The 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards, commonly known as CMA 50 or the 50th CMA Awards, were held on November 2, 2016 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The ceremony recognizes some of the best country music released during the eligibility period. It is the eleventh ceremony to be held at the Arena, the seventeenth to be held in November and the ninth night to be co-hosted by country stars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. The ceremony was directed by Paul Miller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Music Association Award for Female Vocalist of the Year</span>

The following list shows the recipients for the Country Music Association Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. The award is based on individual musical performance on a solo country single or album release, as well as the artist's overall contribution to country music during the eligibility period.

The following list shows the recipients for the Country Music Association Award for Male Vocalist of the Year. This Award goes to the artist. The Award is based on individual musical performance on a solo Country single or album release, as well as the overall contribution to Country Music. This award was one of the original awards given at the first ceremony in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year</span>

The following list shows the recipients for the Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year</span>

The Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year is the biggest competitive category presented at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The award has been given annually since 1970, and is the final award presented at the ceremony.

The following list shows the recipients for the Country Music Association Award for Vocal Duo of the Year. The award is based on the musical performance of the duo on solo country single or album release, as well as their overall contribution to country music during the eligibility period. For the purposes of the award, a duo is defined as "as an act composed of two people, both of whom normally perform together and neither of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist", though this was not always the case.

The following list shows the recipients for the Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year. While its sister category, Song of the Year recognizes the songwriters, Single of the Year is awarded to the artist. Starting in 1989 and 2016 respectively, the producer and mix engineer of the track also received an award. Rules state the track must have reached the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart, Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, or Country Aircheck Chart for the first time during the eligibility period. If the single charted in the Top 10 on the above charts and was released prior to the eligibility period but achieved its highest chart position during the eligibility period, it is eligible.

The Country Music Association Awards is a major awards show in country music. Originally presented in 1988 as the Vocal Event of the Year Award, the Musical Event of the Year honor received its current name in 2004. The award recognizes a collaboration of two or more people, either or all of whom are known primarily as country artists, who don't regularly work together as part of a duo or group.

The Country Music Association Awards is a major awards show in country music. Formerly known as the Music Video of the Year Award, Video of the Year was originally presented at the 1985 Country Music Association Awards. The category honours excellence in country music videos that have been released during the eligibility years and is awarded to both the artist and the director. Below are the winners and nominees of the award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">54th Annual Country Music Association Awards</span>

The 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards were held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee and was hosted by CMA Award winners Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">56th Annual Country Music Association Awards</span> Award ceremony for country music in Nashville, Tennessee

The 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards was held on November 9, 2022 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Luke Bryan hosted the ceremony for the second time, with Peyton Manning as his co-host. The ceremony was broadcast live on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">57th Annual Country Music Association Awards</span> Award ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee

The 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards were held on November 8, 2023, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The ceremony were hosted once again by Luke Bryan with Peyton Manning. The ceremony was broadcast live on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu.

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