-j 2 Ernest Tubb U Country Comedian of the Year: Jerry Clower O THE COMIT Y music,. A SPECIAL AWARDS

BILL WILLIAMS MEMORIAL AWARD: THE STATLER BROTHERS Named for Billboard's late Southern editor who repre sented the finest qualities as a man and as a leader for Nash ville's industry. the Bill Williams Memorial Award goes to an act which typifies the highest personal and The Charlie Daniels Band professional qualities both onstage and off In 1976 the award went to Ronnie Milsap, Subsequent win ners have been Kenny Rogers and . Many important awards are bestowed on country music a acts. but few are as important as an honor that salutes not °' only far reaching success in the record business, but an $ equally powerful success in being artists at living. Long-time favorites in the field of country music, the Statler Brothers are total entertainers with a repertoire that runs from comedy to classic country. Their contributions to coun m try music. both onstage and off. make them fitting recipients w for the Bill Williams Memorial Award.

SPECIAL BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS EDDIE RABBITT -THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND Country to Pop' Eddie Rabbitt spread his country music chart success into the pop arena with his Elektra singles and albums. His smooth balladeering crossed his audience over into new venues of sound. Pop to Country. The Charlie Daniels Band hails from near Nashville, but the group's success has been mainly on the pop side, not country. 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia" firmly established Daniels as a country, as well as pop, favorite. / , - ' , . ,9 ARTIST RESURGENCE: . % o ERNEST TUBB Eddie Rabbitt f A favorite of country music fans for decades, Ernest Tubb [ " t P .¡i O rebounded strongly back into the charts this year with his Ca If 1 m chef Records LP "The Legend And The Legacy. Vol. 1 " It's a 4, . a d triumphant return for this member of the Country Music Hall \ ta of Fame. Oi The Statler Brothers rn Susie Allanson Rex Allen Jr. Bill Anderson Lynn Ander- - w son Eddy Arnold Atlanta Rhythm Section Hoyt Axton ó Razzy Bailey Moe Bandy Barbra & Neil Bobby Bare Randy Barlow Bellamy Brothers Jim Ed Brown & Helen o Cornelius Debby Boone Glen Campbell Johnny Cash & Rosanne Cash & Bobby Bare Billy Crash Craddock Kenny Dale Charlie Daniels Band Dave & Sugar Gail Davies Big AI Downing Dr. Hook lohnn: Duncan Eagles Paul Evans Fargo Narvel Felts Freddy Fender Janie Frickie GIVES NE.W YKERS Larry Gatlin Crystal Gayle Mickey Gilley Robert Gordon Vern Vern Gosdin Gosdin & AMUSE Janie Frickie Merle Haggard Merle Haggard & Leona Williams Tom T. Hall Emmylou Harris Nate Har- vet Dr. Hook Con Hunley Sonny James Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings & Dottsy Olivia 1111111Ey WARM' Newton -John George Jones George Jones & Johnny Paycheck Ken - . dolls Cristy Lone Jerry Lee Lewis Loretta Lynn Barbara Mandrel/ Louise Man- drel/ & R.C. Bannon Charly Ronnie McDowell Mary K. Miller Frank Mills Ronnie Milsap Moe & Joe Anne Murray H4McC!ainWillie Nelson & Leon Russell Olivia Newton -John *Oak Ridge Boys 'Kenny O'Dell Tommy Overstreet Buck Owens & Emmylou Harris Dolly Parton Johnny Paycheck Elvis Presley & Linda Ronstadt Ray Price Charley Pride Poco Eddie Rabbitt Jerry Reed & Deborah Allen Charlie Rich Charlie Rich & Janie Frickie Marty Robbins Johnny Rodriguez David Rogers Kenny Rogers Kenny Rogers & Dottie West Linda Ronstadt John Wesley Ryles T. G. Sheppard 'James Taylor & Carly Simon Margo Smith Sammi Smith Joe Stampley Stotler Brothers Rachel Sweet Joe Sun Mel Tiflis Conway Twitty Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn Bonnie Tyler Randy Vanwarmer Jacky Ward Jennifer Warnes Gene Watson Dottie West Don Williams Hank Williams Jr. Susie Allanson Rex Allen Jr. Bill Anderson Lynn Anderson Eddy Arnold Atlanta Rhythm Section Hoyt Axton Razzy Bailey Moe Bandy Barbra & Neil Bobby Bare Randy Barlow Bellamy Brothers Jim Ed Brown Helen & Cornelius Debby Boone Glen Campbell Johnny Cash Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings Rosanne Cash & Bobby Bare Randy Barlow Bellamy Brothers *Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius Debby Boone Glen Campbell Johnny Cash

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