GAC's Bill Cody (center) with country legends the Oak Ridge Boys.
May 8, 2008 — The Oak Ridge Boys, Brenda Lee, Porter Wagoner and Conway Twitty have been tapped for the Academy of Country Music’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, one of numerous "off-camera" trophies the Los Angeles-based organization plans to hand out in conjunction with its 43rd annual awards show.
The Pioneer Award recognizes people who paved the way for today’s country music industry, and the new honorees join a distinguished list of previous winners that includes such acts as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Hank Williams Jr.
Dick Clark, whose company produces the ACMs, will also receive the Jim Reeves International Award for helping to bolster country’s image around the globe. And the inaugural Poet’s Award — a lifetime achievement trophy for songwriters — will be given to Bill Anderson and the late Fred Rose, who founded Nashville’s first music publishing company, Acuff-Rose.
In addition, nine creative awards will be handed out to musicians and recording technicians. Those trophies (and the individuals’ credits include):
• Top Guitarist: Dann Huff ("I Told You So," "Nothin’ Better To Do")
• Top Piano/Keyboard Player: Matt Rollings ("I Saw God Today," "Wrapped")
• Top Bass Player: Michael Rhodes ("Best I Ever Had," "Something To Be Proud Of")
• Top Percussionist/Drummer: Shannon Forrest ("Would You Go With Me," "Get Drunk And Be Somebody")
• Top Steel Guitar Player: Paul Franklin ("What Hurts The Most," "Somethin’ About A Woman")
• Top Fiddle Player: Stuart Duncan ("Must Be Doin’ Somethin' Right," "How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls")
• Top Specialty Instrument(s): Jerry Douglas, Dobro ("Boondocks," "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow")
• Audio Engineer: Justin Niebank ("You’re Like Comin’ Home," "Me And My Gang")
• Producer: Mark Wright ("Watching Airplanes," "Love Is A Beautiful Thing")
The afore-mentioned off-camera awards will be handed out at a Nashville event later this year. The ACM awards air live from Las Vegas on CBS May 18.