Photo Courtesy of Artist

• Barbara Mandrell and Mac Davis began a three-year run as hosts.

• Mandrell was named Entertainer of the Year.

• Burt Reynolds joined Jerry Reed in announcing the Male Vocalist of the Year Award, which went to George Jones.

• Johnny Cash, Connie B. Gay and the original Sons of the Pioneers (Hugh Farr, Karl Farr, Bob Nolan, Lloyd Perryman, Roy Rogers, Tim Spencer) were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1981

• The Horizon Award was presented for the first time with Terri Gibbs taking the honor.

• Barbara Mandrell became the first performer to repeat as Entertainer of the Year and she won her second Female Vocalist Award.

• Alabama made their first appearance on the CMA Awards.

• Willie Nelson's "Always On My Mind" captured Single and Album of the Year.

• Vernon Dalhart and Grant Turner were named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Alabama Photo Courtesy of RCA Records

• Alabama became the first group to win Entertainer of the Year.

• Single, Song and Album of the Year trophies were dominated by Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind."

• Lefty Frizzell, Roy Horton and Marty Robbins were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1983

• "The 17th Annual CMA Awards" introduced a technological first – a synchronized, stereo/radio simulcast, distributed by satellite. The radio broadcast included the airing of a Pre- and Post-Awards Show special featuring interviews with winners and nominees.

• Friends of Kris Kristofferson honored him with a medley of songs written by the legend.

• Two memorable CMA Awards performances took place: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton singing "Islands in the Stream;" and Willie Nelson joined by Julio Iglesias performing "To All the Girls I've Loved Before."

• Little Jimmy Dickens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• The Irving Waugh Award of Excellence was presented for the first time to Waugh, who served as executive producer of the CMA Awards for more than 25 years.