At the 2024 CMA Awards, George Strait became the ninth person honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

They say that Entertainer of the Year is the biggest award of the CMA Awards, but that’s not the case this year. Country legend George Strait received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, making that the night’s biggest award.

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is so prestigious that it’s not given out yearly.

According to a press release from the Country Music Association, the Willie Nelson Lifetime Award recognizes

“an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The award recognizes those who have achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales, and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre over the course of many years and has proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.”

To any country fan, it’s evident that George Strait checks every single one of these boxes. Sarah Trahern, the CMA’s Chief Executive Officer, reveals just a couple of reasons they chose him this year, saying, “As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to many of the great, new artists we know today, I am thrilled we are awarding him with this deserving honor.”

Who else has been awarded the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award?

George Strait is now one of nine people who have been honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Of course, Willie Nelson was the first to receive the award in 2012. The next year, Kenny Rogers was honored with the Award, followed by 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 CMA Awards Pays Tribute To George Strait

Every year there is a Lifetime Achievement Award, artists come together to pay tribute and this year is no different. Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, and Lainey Wilson were hand-picked to honor The King Of Country.

Wilson kicked off the tribute with “Amarillo By Morning,” and Johnson followed that up with “Give It Away,” which he wrote. Lambert and McCollum teamed up for a duet to “Troubadour.” Strait surprised everyone on stage to perform his duet “Honky Tonk Highway” with Stapleton.

George Strait Accepts Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

After the incredible tribute, Strait was handed the prestigious award and said a few words.

“First of all, I want to thank my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ,” he said. “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.”

He continued, “I want to thank all these great artists who performed some of my songs that I’ve recorded over the years. It’s amazing to hear y’all do them. I’m so glad I got them before you.” 

The King of Country went on to thank his record label, his fans, his band, before paying tribute to his manager, road manager, and fiddle player who are all “resting in peace with the Lord.”

“Last but not least,” Strait thanked his family, who were all in attendance: his wife of nearly 53 years, Norma, their son Bubba, his daughter-in-law, Tamara, and his grandchildren, Harvey and Jillian.

He told them, “It’s so great to have you all here, especially Norma, who has supported me for just shy of 53 years.” 

The camera cut to Norma, who was beaming with pride and could even be seen tearing up a bit.

“Thank you!” Strait said before walking off stage.

Watch his acceptance speech below.