The CMAs call Strait “authentically country” as he’s set to receive the prestigious award first introduced in 2012

George Strait will be the 2024 recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards.

In an announcement made on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Strait is set to accept the award at the ceremony which takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

“There have been few other artists as authentically Texas and authentically Country as George Strait, and country music fans all over the world have been better for it,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer said in a statement. “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.”

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Dubbed “The King of Country,” Strait’s generation-spanning career includes 60 No. 1 singles, over 30 platinum or multi-platinum albums and is the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over 30 years. His relationship with the CMA Awards includes being decorated as entertainer of the year three times (1989, 1990, 2013), 17 wins and a whopping 83 nominations, making him the most-nominated artist in CMA history.

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award was introduced in 2012, first being bestowed to its namesake. The award is given to “an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music.” While the music is a big part of the award, the recognition also takes into account the artist’s “both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales and public representation at the highest level.”