About The Show
Voted on annually by the members of the Academy of Country Music, these awards showcase the very best talent in the country music genre. Your favorite country stars are sure to be out in full force.
Host: Marty Robbins
Date: February 29, 1976
City: Hollywood, California
The Nominees
Album Of The Year
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Winner: Mickey Gilley
Gilley's Smoking
- Marty Robbins El Paso City
- Loretta Lynn Somebody Somewhere
- Jessie Colter, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tom Paul Glaser Wanted Outlaws
- Conway Twitty Now & Then
Band Of The Year - Non-touring
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Winner:
George Jones/Possum Holler - Danny Michaels/Rebel Playboys
- Brian Mark/Marksmen
- Bayou City Beats/Johnny Lee
- Jerry Inman/Palomino Riders
Band Of The Year - Touring
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Winner:
Mickey Gilley/Red Rose Express - Asleep at the Wheel/Ray Benson
- Marty Robbins
- Coalminers/Loretta Lynn
- Merle Haggard/The Strangers
- Mel Tillis/Statesiders
Best Bass
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Winner:
Curtis Stone - Billy Graham
- Randy Hatfield
- Chuck Flynn
- Don Felts
Best Drums
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Winner:
Archie Francis - Joe Sola
- Ed Mattos
- Jerry Ford
- George Manz
- Biff Adam
- Al Brown
- Montie Paul
- Mike Porter
Best Fiddle
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Winner:
Billy Armstrong - Harold Hensley
- Vassar Clements
- Johnny Gimble
- Jana Lou
Best Lead Guitar
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Winner:
Danny Michaels - John Blankenship
- Russ Hansen
- Al Bruno
- James Burton
Best Piano / Keyboard
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Winner:
Hargus Robbins 'Pig' - John Hobbs
- Danny Stonestreet
- Roscoe Whorton
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Glen D. Hardin
Best Steel Guitar
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Winner:
J.D. Maness - Red Rhodes
- Ethan Riley
- Gary Morris
- Buddy Emmons
Entertainer Of The Year
Female Vocalist Of The Year
Jim Reeves Memorial Award
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Winner:
Roy Clark
Male Vocalist Of The Year
Most Promising Female Vocalist
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Winner: Billie Jo Spears
- Margo Smith
- Dottsy
- Sunday Sharpe
- Mary Kay Place
Most Promising Male Vocalist
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Winner: Moe Bandy
- Rex Allen Jr.
- Billy Craddock 'Crash'
- Larry Gatlin
- Johnny Lee
Pioneer Award
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Winner:
Owen Bradley
Rhythm Guitar
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Winner:
Jerry Inman - Harry Robinson
- Rudy Duir
- Gary Cronin
- Geary Hanley
- Buddy Merrill
- Don Ballinger
- Al Casey
Song Of The Year
Vocal Group Of The Year
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Winner: Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn
- The Statler Brothers
- Dave & Sugar
- Tammy Wynette & George Jones
- Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson