Garth, Reba and Taylor Receive ACM Off-Camera Honors

Mark J. Terrill, AP/The Boot

Garth Brooks leads the pack of off-camera Academy of Country Music Awards winners, announced March 29th. Special, Industry and Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist (MBI) awards will be presented at the annual ACM Honors ceremony in the fall.


Garth and Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have been named this year's Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award for honoring country music pioneers. 


Reba McEntire has been selected to receive the Career Achievement Award for advancing the popularity and acceptance of the genre through multiple facets of the entertainment industry.


Taylor Swift was also recognized with the Jim Reeves International Award for her "outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world." A fitting award for the singer, who is currently in the midst of her Speak Now World Tour.


The Tex Ritter Award, which is given to a movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding year, featuring or utilizing country music, was given to 'Country Strong.' The film, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, will be released on Blu-ray and DVD April 12.


Tom T. Hall -- writer of Jeannie C. Riley's 'Harper Valley P.T.A.' and Alan Jackson's 'Little Bitty' -- and the late Hank Cochran -- writer of Patsy Cline's 'I Fall to Pieces,' and George Strait's 'Ocean Front Property' -- receive the Poet's Award.  This honor is given to songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in country music. 


A full list of Special, Industry and Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist awards may be found here.