ACM Announces Off-Camera Winners

The Academy of Country Music has announced winners of awards that will not be televised during the live telecast of the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast on April 5.

Dolly Parton will receive the Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.

This year’s Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers will go to Merle Haggard and the late Harlan Howard.

The ACM’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award will go to the late Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and Hank Williams Jr. The Pioneer Award honors individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.

The ACM’s Tex Ritter Award is given each year to a movie receiving major exposure that features or utilizes country music. This year’s Tex Ritter Award goes to Beer For My Horses, produced by CMT Films and Show Dog Productions and starring Show Dog’s Toby Keith.

The Mae Boren Axton Award is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music. This year’s Mae Boren Axton Award will go to David Young, who has been with the Academy of Country Music in various positions for 20 years, most recently as Senior Director of Operations.

The following will receive this year’s MBI (musician, band, instrumental) Awards:

Tom Bukovac — guitarist
Gordon Mote — piano/keyboard
Glen Worf — bass
Greg Morrow — percussionist/drummer
Dan Dugmore — steel guitar
Aubrey Haynie — fiddle
Eric Darken (percussion) and Jelly Roll Johnson (harmonica) — specialty instrument
Chuck Ainley — audio engineer
Tony Brown — producer

The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 7:00 PM/CT on the CBS Television Network.

• Author
• Recent Posts

LB Cantrell

LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.

Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)

• Johnny Mike Walker Joins Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum Circle Guard - September 28, 2026
• Braxton Keith Reflects On Breakout Success, Announces 2027 Tour Dates [Q&A] - September 22, 2026
• Mac McAnally & Rod Essig To Receive Nashville Symphony’s 2026 Harmony Award - September 10, 2026