The King of Country music, George Strait, received a Texas-sized tribute during Wednesday night’s 58th Annual CMA Awards.
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A wide-array of Country stars took the stage to tribute Strait, who was honored during the broadcast as the 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The award recognizes the icon’s national and international impact to the Country music genre across his 40+ year career. This includes contributions via concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales and positive public representation.
CMA Award co-host, Lainey Wilson kicked things off with a special nod to Strait’s, “Amarillo By Morning,” followed by Jamey Johnson, who highlighted another fan-favorite, “Give It Away.” Fellow Texans Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum were next to take the stage and teamed-up for, “Troubadour,“ before the king himself took the stage alongside the night’s biggest winner, Chris Stapleton, to sing, “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame.“
Following the musical tribute, Stapleton officially awarded Strait with the 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I want to thanks the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this small list of recipients,” Strait said of the award. Previous winners include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021) and Alan Jackson (2022).
“I want to thank all of these great artists who performed some of my songs that I've recorded over the years,” he continued. “It’s amazing to hear y’all do them. I’m so glad I got them before you.”
Strait’s unrivaled career, spanning more than 40 years, includes 60 No.1 singles and boasts 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums. The Texas Country star is praised for his innate ability to collide comfortable and worn with fresh and exciting every time he steps on stage or into the studio.