Off-Camera ACM Awards

Five country artists are among several people who will be honored with special awards for the 2014 ACM Awards. Though given "off camera," these awards are big deals that honor recipients for their lives rather than just their latest song or album. The awards will be presented at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on September 9, 2014.

The Gene Weed Special Achievement Award will go to Carrie Underwood. Last year, her affiliation with NFL Sunday Night Football and the live NBC broadcast of The Sound of Music brought her a great deal of attention. The Blown Away tour found the singer in the U.K., the U.S. and Canada. At the tour's end, she donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for disaster relief. The C.A.T.S. Foundation, her hometown effort, continues to be a big part of her life. Last month, Underwood received the Country Radio Broadcasters Artist Humanitarian Award for her contributions.

Toby Keith, Ronnie Milsap and Steve Buchanan, the President of the Opry Entertainment Group will all be receiving Career Achievement Awards for their accomplishments in country music and behind the scenes. Merle Haggard is being honored with the ACM Crystal Milestone Award to signify his 50th year in country music.

The Jim Reeves International Award will go home with Rascal Flatts. Last year, the group performed in Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Kris Kristofferson, Dean Dillon and the late Jack Clement and Buck Owens have been selected to receive the Poet's Award which honors songwriters.

The late music publisher Bob Beckham has been named the recipient of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award and Paul Moore (from William Morris) will receive the Mae Boren Axton Award for dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.

Other off-camera awards will go to:

Musicians:

Bass player: Michael Rhodes
Drummer: Shannon Forrest
Guitar player: Rob McNelley
Piano/keyboards Player: Charlie Judge
Steel guitar layer: Paul Franklin
Specialty instruments player: Bryan Sutton

Industry:

Audio engineer: Justin Niebank
Producer: Dann Huff
Songwriter: Shane McAnally
Don Romeo Talent Buyer: Nicole More (Neste Event Marketing)
Promoter: Brian O'Connell (Live Nation)

Venues:

Casino, small capacity: Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (Uncasville, CT.)
Casino, medium capacity: Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT)
Nightclub: Billy Bob's Texas (Fort Worth, TX)
Venue, small capacity: Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater (Austin, TX)
Venue, medium capacity: Grand Ole Opry House (Nashville, TN)
Venue, large capacity: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)

Tags

ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith