The off-camera winners for the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are being bestowed upon the industry's best musicians, songwriters and artists. The honors include the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award for trailblazers of the genre, the Crystal Milestone Award for remarkable achievement, the Gene Weed Special Achievement Awards for unprecedented, unique individual feats, and the Jim Reeves International Awards for contributing to global acceptance of country music. These winners will be recognized at the 7th Annual ACM Honors event in Nashville on Sept. 10.

Early 2013 ACM Awards Winners:

Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award - the late Keith Whitley and The Judds

Crystal Milestone Award - Jason Aldean

Gene Weed Special Achievement Award - Blake Shelton

Jim Reeves International Award - Lady Antebellum

Poet's Award - Guy Clark and the late Hank Williams

Songwriter of the Year - Dallas Davidson

Mae Boren Axton Award - [ACM co-founder] Tommy Wiggins

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 Instruments Player of the Year – Ilya Toshinsky

Steel Guitar Player of the Year – Mike Johnson

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

The 48th annual ACM Awards will be co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, both of whom will perform during the ceremony. Additional performers include Miranda Lambert, Hunter Hayes, the Band Perry, Kelly Clarkson and a special tribute to the late Dick Clark by George Strait and Garth Brooks. Eric Church is the most nominated artist this year with seven nods. The awards air live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 7 at 8pm ET on CBS

Watch a Report on the ACM Nominees

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