George Strait is the latest recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The 72-year-old was first treated to an all-star tribute, with Lainey Wilson singing “Amarillo by Morning,” Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum singing “Troubadour,” Jamey Johnson singing “Just Give It Away,” and  Chris Stapleton, who toured with Strait for the last two years, singing their collaboration “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with Strait.

It was Stapleton who also presented Strait with the trophy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor tonight to present the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award to true country music royalty, the King of Country, George Strait,” Stapleton said, as the crowd broke into thunderous applause, and a lengthy standing ovation.

“First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Strait said when accepting the award. “And I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this small list of recipients, carrying the name of the icon, Willie Nelson. I want to thank all of these great artists, who performed some of my songs that I’ve recorded over the years. It’s amazing to hear you all do them. I’m so glad I got them before you. I want to thank MCA Records, all my fans. You all are great.

“My band,” he continued, “recognizing that my manager, [Erv] Woolsey, road manager Tom Foote, and fiddle player Gene Elders are resting in peace with the Lord. And last but not least, my family who are all here tonight. My wife, Norma, my son Bubba, his wife Tamara, my grandkids Harvey and Jilliann. It’s so great to have you all here. But especially Norma, who has supported me for just shy of 53 years in December. It’s been an amazing 53 years, too. Thank you, everybody.”

 

Other artists who have received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Nelson in 2012, followed by Kenny Rogers in 2013, Johnny Cash in 2015, Dolly Parton in 2016, Kris Kristofferson in 2019, Charley Pride in 2020, Loretta Lynn in 2021 and Alan Jackson in 2022.

The Texan has certainly accomplished more than enough to receive the accolade. He is the only artist in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for three decades, selling more than 70 million albums, and earning more than 60 major entertainment industry awards. He has recorded 31 studio albums, three live albums and 11 compilation albums. In addition, the Country Music Hall of Fame member is the most-nominated artist in the history of the CMA Awards, with 83 total nominations, winning 17 CMA Awards throughout his career, including three Entertainer of the Year trophies.

The 2024 CMA Awards are streaming now on Hulu. Find Cowboys and Dreamers and all of Strait’s music and upcoming shows at  GeorgeStrait.com.