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1981 Academy of Country Music Awards

More Academy of Country Music Award Shows

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.

The Nominees

Band Of The Year - Non-touring

  • Winner:
    Desperados/Johnny Mosby/Jonie Mosby
  • Geary Hanley Band
  • Bayou City Beats/Freddy Biano
  • Jimmy Snyder/Palomino Riders
  • Ed Mattos/Sound Company

Band Of The Year - Touring

  • Winner:
    Merle Haggard/The Strangers
  • Mickey Gilley/Urban Cowboy Band
  • Asleep at the Wheel/Ray Benson
  • Charlie Daniels Band
  • Willie Nelson & Family Band

Best Bass

  • Winner:
    Joe Osborn
  • Winner:
    Curtis Stone
  • Red Wootten
  • Mike Leech
  • Emory Gordy

Best Drums

  • Winner:
    Buddy Harmon
  • Winner:
    James Burton
  • Archie Francis
  • Biff Adam
  • Al Bruno
  • Larrie Londin
  • Jerry Kroon

Best Fiddle

Best Piano / Keyboard

  • Winner:
    Hargus Robbins
  • John Hobbs
  • Billy Liebert
  • Glen D. Hardin
  • Floyd Cramer

Best Steel Guitar

  • Winner:
    Buddy Emmons
  • Sneaky Pete
  • J.D. Maness
  • Sonny Garrish
  • Lloyd Green
  • Ralph Mooney

Guitar

  • Roy Nichols
  • Grady Martin
  • Thumbs Carlisle
  • Phil Bauch

Jim Reeves Memorial Award

  • Winner:
    Al Gallico

New Female Vocalist Of The Year

Pioneer Award

  • Winner:
    Leo Fender

Song Of The Year

Specialty Instrument

  • Winner:
    Charlie McCoy
  • Terry McMillian
  • Danny Davis
  • John Hartford
  • Smokey Rogers
  • Buck Trent

Tex Ritter Award

  • Winner:
    Any Which Way You Can
  • Coward of the County
  • Take This Job and Shove It
  • Stand By Your Man

Vocal Duet Of The Year

  • Winner:
    David Frizzell & Shelly West
  • Don Williams & Emmylou Harris
  • Louise Mandrell & R.C. Bannon
  • Joe Stampley & Moe Bandy
  • Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn
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