Country legend Johnny Cash
Country Music Hall of Fame member Eddy Arnold.
• First live television broadcast of the CMA Awards.
• Johnny Cash set a record by winning five Awards in a single night, including: Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Single for "Boy Named Sue;" Album; and Vocal Group of the Year for his work with June Carter. The record remains unsurpassed to this day, but has been matched twice.
• Gene Autry and Bill Monroe were named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
1967
• The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was not a televised event.
• Sonny James and Bobbie Gentry hosted the inaugural gala.
• Eddy Arnold was named Entertainer of the Year.
• Red Foley, J.L. (Joe) Frank and Jim Reeves were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.