And the countdown to the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards has officially begun!
Early winners for the ACM Awards, including special award recipients, industry awards, MBI awards and Songwriter of the Year winners, were announced today. These initial accolades will not be televised during the 48th annual broadcast due to time constraints.
Cohosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, the ACM Awards will be telecast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 7 at 8 p.m. on CBS.
Early winners not featured in the program will be celebrated at the 7th Annual ACM Honors event on Sept. 10 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Here's a complete list of current honorees:
Special Awards
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award (honoring recording pioneers in the country music genre): Keith Whitley and The Judds
Crystal Milestone Award (given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate an outstanding achievement): Jason Aldean
Gene Weed Special Achievement Award (honoring outstanding individual achievement in country music): Blake Shelton
Jim Reeves International Award (honoring an artist for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music around the world): Lady Antebellum
Mae Boren Axton Award (honoring years of service to the Academy of Country Music): Tommy Wiggins
Poet's Award: (honoring songwriters for musical or lyrical contributions to country music): Guy Clark and Hank Williams
Industry Awards
Casino of the Year: Red Rock Casino & Resort, Las Vegas, NV
Nightclub of the Year: Joe's Bar, Chicago, IL
Venue of the Year: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year: Jerry Hufford, Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Promoter of the Year: Ed Warm, Joe's Bar
MBI (Musician, Bandleader, Instrumentalist) Awards
Producer of the Year: Jay Joyce
Audio Engineer of the Year: Chuck Ainlay
Bass Player of the Year: Jimmie Lee Sloas
Percussionist/Drummer of the Year: Matt Chamberlain
Fiddle Player of the Year: Aubrey Haynie
Guitarist of the Year: J.T. Corenflos
Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year: Michael Rojas
Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year: Ilya Toshinsky
Steel Guitar Player of the Year: Mike Johnson
Songwriter of the Year
Dallas Davidson