Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ ACM) - The Academy of Country
Music has announced that country music superstars and industry leaders Harlan Howard,
Waylon Jennings, Jack Lameier, Buck Owens,
Dolly Parton and Don Williams will be honored at a special ceremony hosted by Marty
Stuart on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at the Tennessee
State Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
Harlan Howard, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and Don Williams will be honored with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, presented to an outstanding 'pioneer' of country music.
Harlan Howard is one of the most influential composers in country music. With more than 4,000 songs to his credit, Howard worked with some of the industry's biggest names including Patsy Cline, Hank Williams Jr., Reba McEntire and more. Howard will be honored posthumously.
Waylon Jennings is known as a renaissance man in country music. Jennings crafted a new sound that combined his forceful electric guitar, rough-edged lyrics and diverse range. From Buddy Holly to Willie Nelson, Jennings has worked with the best in the business. He is also known worldwide for writing and performing the theme song from The Dukes of Hazzard. Jennings will be honored posthumously.
Dolly Parton is by far one of the most popular country icons of all time. From 'I Will Always Love You' to her Oscar nominated song 'Travelin' Thru,' Parton has many hits spanning her long career. She is also known for breaking down barriers for women in country music. Parton is known as a philanthropist as well, providing books to schools across the country and scholarships to children from her home state of Tennessee.
Don Williams is a legendary singer and song writer in the country world. After seven years with the folk group Pozo Seco Singers, Williams started a solo career that lead to 17 number one hits. Williams also developed a style that had gently paced love songs with simple arrangements, vocals and sentiments. This style was Williams' signature when collaborating with other artists. After much success in the United States, Williams frequently tours the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Past honorees of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award have included Alabama, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Tex Ritter, Hank Williams Sr., and Bob Wills, among others.
Buck Owens will be honored with the Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an individual, not necessarily an artist, for outstanding contribution to the acceptance of country music throughout the world. Owens is one of the most admired country idols of all time. In his astonishing career, he had 26 consecutive hits and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Owens' influence on country music can be heard today by Dwight Yoakam, Brad Paisley and countless others who carry his legacy and introduce a new generation to his style. Owens will be honored posthumously. Past honorees of the the Jim Reeves International Award have included Roy Clark, Merv Griffin, Charlie Nagatani, and Louise Scruggs, among others.
Jack Lameier will be honored with the Mae Boren Axton Award, given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music. Lameier served on the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors for 28 years and was President for two of those years. His career in music includes more than 40 years at Sony, and he is a veteran in radio promoting and DJing. In 2006, he received the President's Award from the Country Radio Broadcasters. Past honorees of the Mae Boren Axton Award have included Gaynelle Pitts, Gene Weed, Ray Pilzak and Marge Meoli.
