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Dwight Yoakam and Ricky Skaggs to be honored by ACM Awards

Dwight Yoakam
Kentucky natives Ricky Skaggs and Dwight Yoakam have been announced as recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. The announcement came today from the Academy of Country Music. They will be honored during the 6th Annual ACM Honors event in Nashville on September 24, 2012.
Ricky Skaggs is best known for both his country and bluegrass music. During the 1980s, he had over 15 Top 10 Singles, with 11 of those being number one hits. He was named the ACM’s 1981 Top New Male Vocalist and received five ACM Awards for Touring Band of the Year.
Dwight Yoakam captured the imagination of traditionalists and new listeners alike by giving hillbilly music a modern twist. Born in Kentucky but based in Los Angeles, Yoakam debuted with a twangy cover of Johnny Horton’s “Honky Tonk Man,” which led him to the ACM’s 1986 Top New Male Vocalist trophy. In all, Yoakam landed 14 Top 10 hits – some he wrote (“I Sang Dixie”) and others he revived (Elvis Presley’s “Little Sister”). Along with acclaimed albums and music videos, Yoakam proudly partnered with Buck Owens on the endearing 1988 duet, “Streets of Bakersfield.” He remains active in music and film.
Past recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award include Alabama, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Hank Williams, Sr., Hank Williams Jr. and Bob Wills, among others.