![Dolly Parton to Receive Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at 2016 CMAs](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2016/10/dolly-parton-lifetime-achievement-award-cmas.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Dolly Parton to Receive Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at 2016 CMAs
The 2016 CMA Awards will include a special honor for Dolly Parton: The country icon will be receiving the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the 50th annual ceremony.
Established in 2012, the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes "an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music ... an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales and public representation at the highest level," a press release explains. Recipients have "positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike;" past honorees include Nelson himself (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013) and Johnny Cash (2015).
“Dolly epitomizes the very definition of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. he is a trailblazer who continues to enchant and captivate fans around the world,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer. “She is a treasure and deserving of this industry acclaim for her undeniable contributions to the success of country music today.”
Throughout her career, Parton has earned 44 CMA Awards nominations and won nine times, including an Entertainer of the Year win in 1978 and Female Vocalist of the Year wins in 1975 and 1976.
Parton is currently on the road promoting her 43rd studio release, Pure & Simple; she recently made Billboard chart history as the first artist to earn a Top 20 hit and a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in every decade from the 1960s through the 2010s.
The 2016 CMA Awards are set to air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 2 on ABC at 8PM ET.
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