Accolades & Tributes

ACCOLADES

Outside of music awards shows, Country artists received a multitude of awards and recognitions in 2010.

• TRACE ADKINS was awarded the DAR Medal of Honor from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in recognition of his patriotism and humanitarian works.
• GARTH BROOKS – President Barack Obama presented Garth Brooks with the Grammy on the Hill Award for his leadership in advancing the rights of music makers.
• CMA AWARDS – “The 44th Annual CMA Awards” winners included   Entertainer, Brad Paisley; Male Vocalist, Blake Shelton; Female Vocalist, Miranda Lambert; Vocal Group, Lady Antebellum; Vocal Duo, Sugarland; New Artist, Zac Brown Band; Musician, Mac McAnally; Album, Miranda Lambert, Revolution, produced by Mike Wrucke and Frank Liddell; Single, Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now," produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum; Song, "The House That Built Me," written by Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas; Musical Event, Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins, "Hillbilly Bone;" and Music Video, Miranda Lambert, "The House That Built Me," directed by Trey Fanjoy.
• CMA’S COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME – CMA inducted Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill and Don Williams into its Country Music Hall of Fame.
• CHARLIE DANIELS – The T.J. Martell Foundation Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award was presented to Charlie Daniels for his work with the organization, which funds medical research focused on finding cures for multiple diseases.
• THE GRAND OLE OPRY celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2010 with celebrations throughout the year that launched on May 25 with a guitar jam with Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner.
• MERLE HAGGARD was honored along with Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey and more at “The Kennedy Center Honors,” which recognizes excellence in the arts. Kris Kristofferson, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley paid tribute to the Country Music Hall of Fame member at the ceremony hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
• MUSIC CITY WALK OF FAME – Eddy Arnold, Little Jimmy Dickens, Bobby Hebb, Kris Kristofferson, Rascal Flatts and Mel Tillis were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame.
• RASCAL FLATTS – Roy Orbison and Rascal Flatts received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• BLAKE SHELTON was inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry onstage after his performance by duet partner Trace Adkins.
• TAYLOR SWIFT – Henderson High School in Hendersonville, Tenn. – Taylor Swift’s former high school – named its auditorium in her honor. Swift has donated $75,000 to the school to improve the auditorium’s lighting and sound system.
• CLAY WALKER received the Robert M. Barg Memorial Achievement Award from Today’s Caregiver magazine for his work as founder of Band Against MS (BAMS).
• HANK WILLIAMS was posthumously awarded a special citation from the Pulitzer Prize board, which cited Williams' "craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming Country Music into a major musical and cultural force in American life."

TRIBUTES

• HAITI – Tributes were plentiful, but none perhaps more needed than those for the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti. Julianne Hough, Sugarland and Zac Brown Band participated in the remake of “We Are the World.” Sales of the digital track went to relief efforts in the ravaged country. Compassion International launched Help Haiti with Compassion, an effort to help radio raise funds for the children and families affected by the country's earthquake. The company is offering stations free Country-specific resources, information, spots and liners. Participating artists included Carter's Chord, Eric Church, Diamond Rio, Fast Ryde, Mica Roberts, Josh Turner, Clay Walker and Gretchen Wilson. Keith Urban and Taylor Swift participated in MTV’s "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon. 
• WAYLON JENNINGS – A multitude of Country stars paid tribute to the late Waylon Jennings on the three-volume set The Music Inside: A Collaboration dedicated To Waylon Jennings. It features performances of Jennings’ hits by Trace Adkins, Alabama, Jamey Johnson Kris Kristofferson, James Otto, Sunny Sweeney and more.
• LORETTA LYNN – One of the biggest tribute albums of the year was Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn, featuring artists from Country, pop and rock performing the songs Lynn made famous throughout her 50-year career.Contributors included Sheryl Crow, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson and Lee Ann Womack.
• PAUL McCARTNEY – Emmylou Harris and Faith Hill and were among the stars that paid tribute to Paul McCartney at a ceremony hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House. The former Beatle was honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
• KENNY ROGERS – Billy Currington, Sheena Easton, Chris Isaak, Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Darius Rucker and Wynonna were among the performers for the television special “Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years,” celebrating the Country legend’s career.
• TOOTSIE'S ORCHID LOUNGE celebrated its 50th anniversary with Kris Kristofferson, Mel Tillis, Randy Houser, Terri Clark, Lorrie Morgan, Colt Ford, Mark Chesnutt, Mandy Barnett, Dean Miller, Ronnie McDowell, The Grascals, and more performing at the legendary Nashville venue.
• MAC WISEMAN – Admirers filled the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville to celebrate bluegrass great Mac Wiseman's 85th birthday. The event was simulcast on WSM-AM.