NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – As the Country Music Association Awards celebrates its 50th awards ceremony on Wednesday, expect to hear a lot about its historic moments during the ceremony. Seven past entertainer of the year winners have been invited to perform, and while there may still be jeans and cowboy boots in the audience, it’s a black-tie affair.
Here’s a look at some of the top milestones from the CMA Awards over five decades.
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EVEN THE GRAMMYS CAN’T MATCH THIS:
– In 1968, the CMA Awards’ second year, the show was taped and aired on NBC. By the third year, it aired live from the Ryman Auditorium. It’s now the longest running, annual music awards show on national television, even ahead of the Grammys.