Dolly Parton photo courtesy of Sugar Hill Records

• Entertainer of the Year John Denver accepted his Award via satellite from Australia.

• Dolly Parton wins her first Female Vocalist and Waylon Jennings was named Male Vocalist of the Year.

• Minnie Pearl was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Ronnie Milsap photo courtesy of RCA Nashville

• The Year of "The Outlaws" was marked by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings winning three Awards: Single for "Good Hearted Woman;" Vocal Duo; and Album of the Year for Wanted – The Outlaws, with Tompall Glaser and Jessi Colter.

• The CMA Awards broadcast expanded from 60 to 90 minutes.

• Mel Tillis was named Entertainer of the Year.

• Paul Cohen and Kitty Wells were named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.1977

• Ronnie Milsap won three Awards: Entertainer, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for Ronnie Milsap Live.

• Kenny Rogers performed "Lucille," his CMA Award-winning Single of the Year classic.

• Merle Travis was named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1978

• The CMA Awards were simulcast on radio for the first time.

• Dolly Parton was named Entertainer of the Year.

• Crystal Gayle and Don Williams took home respective Female and Male Vocalist of the Year honors.

• Grandpa Jones was named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Willie Nelson Photo Courtesy of Lost Highway Records

GAC's 41st Annual CMA Awards Show Section

• Kenny Rogers hosted the broadcast and took home the Male Vocalist Award. His album The Gambler was named Album of the Year.

• Charlie Daniels won three Awards: Instrumental Group for the Charlie Daniels Band; Instrumentalist; and Single of the Year for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."

• Willie Nelson was named Entertainer of the Year.

• Hank Snow and Hubert Long were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.