Garth Brooks performs at the 2005 CMA Awards Show.
Photo courtesy of the Country Music Association

• Reba McEntire and Randy Travis hosted the CMA Awards.

• A then-unknown Mary Chapin Carpenter received a standing ovation for her tongue-in-cheek performance of "Opening Act."

• Roy Rogers joined Randy Travis, George Jones and Tammy Wynette for "Heroes."

• A tearful Tennessee Ernie Ford was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• Garth Brooks won the Horizon Award, foreshadowing the start of one of the most successful solo artist careers in music history.

• The Judds, named Vocal Duo, claimed their seventh consecutive Award since winning Horizon Award in 1984.

• Tennessee Ernie Ford was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1991

• President and Mrs. George Bush attend the broadcast, hosted by Reba McEntire.

• The broadcast won the night in ratings and was the second highest-rated special of the 1991-1992-television season with 33 million viewers.

• Garth Brooks won the first of two consecutive Entertainer of the Year Awards.

• Boudleaux and Felice Bryant were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

George Jones photo courtesy of Bandit Records

• Reba McEntire and Vince Gill hosted the CMA Awards, which again placed first in the ratings.

• Don Henley was a surprise addition to Trisha Yearwood's performance of "Walkaway Joe."

• George Jones and BMI's Frances Preston were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• Brooks & Dunn unseated The Judds as Vocal Duo of the Year.

• More than 48 million viewers watched all or part of the gala event.

• George Jones and Frances William Preston are named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• For the first time, UK Channel 4 telecast an edited version of the CMA Awards in the UK.

1993

• "The 27th Annual CMA Awards" marked the show's expansion to a three-hour broadcast. It was the highest rated music special of the 1993-94 television season.

• Vince Gill and Clint Black co-hosted, and Gill took home five Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.

• Reba McEntire received headlines around the world for her infamous red dress with its plunging neckline.

• Liza Minnelli led a standing ovation for McEntire's performance with Linda Davis of "Does He Love You."

• Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette performed "Silver Threads and Golden Needles."

• Willie Nelson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.