The Country Music Association has announced Brooks & Dunn as the 2026 recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. More Entertainment News
The duo will receive the honor during a special tribute at The 60th Annual CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18 on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
“Few artists have left a mark on Country Music quite like Brooks & Dunn,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “As the most awarded duo in our genre’s history, Kix and Ronnie have spent more than three decades shaping the sound of Country Music.”
Brooks & Dunn first began performing together in 1990 and have gone on to become one of country music’s most successful duos. Their career includes 20 No. 1 hits, more than 40 Top 10 songs and more than 30 million albums sold worldwide.
Their best-known songs include “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Neon Moon,” “My Maria” and “Believe.”
The duo has earned two GRAMMY Awards, 58 CMA Award nominations and 20 CMA Awards, including 16 wins for Vocal Duo of the Year. Brooks & Dunn also hosted the CMA Awards from 2004 through 2006 and have been inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Their music has also reached a new generation of fans through the REBOOT projects. The 2019 album featured collaborations with artists including Luke Combs, Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett and Ashley McBryde, while REBOOT II in 2024 included Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Hailey Whitters and Marcus King.
The CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an artist who has made a lasting impact on country music through recordings, performances, philanthropy and influence on the genre.
Previous recipients include Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Alan Jackson, George Strait and Vince Gill.
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