News : Features : CMA Awards Show Highlights During the 1970s : Great American Country

Merle Haggard photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

1970

• Merle Haggard was nominated for nine Awards – a record at the time – and won four, including Entertainer of the Year.

• Vocal Duo of the Year Award was presented for the first time to Porter Wagoner and Dolly
Parton.

• Comedian of the Year Award was given for the final time. Roy Clark was the last recipient.

• Burl Ives inducted Bill Monroe and The Carter Family into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• Walter Miller began his 34-year association with the CMA Awards as director and producer.

• The original Carter Family (A.P. Carter, Maybelle Carter and Sara Carter) were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1971

• Broadcast on NBC-TV, the Awards merited its own hour and for the first time were not a part of the Kraft Music Hall.

• Charley Pride won both Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year Awards.

• Arthur Edward Satherly was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

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