3 Little Known Facts on the ACM Awards

The Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) were never taken too seriously when I was growing up.  It always seemed as though the Country Music Association Awards or CMA's were the most prestigious and in my research of '3 Little Known Facts on the ACM Awards,' I will uncover why.

As a life long country music fan, the ACM Awards were usually my favorite of the two award shows.  Everybody seemed more relaxed, were having more fun and there would always be some surprise appearances by Hollywood stars.

The show has also evolved over the years.  When you watch this year's Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday night on CBS, you will see a very polished and fast moving show, just like the CMA's last fall.

Here are 5 Little Known Facts on the ACM Awards:

• The ACM Awards was a West-coast-based award show whereas the CMA Awards was Nashville based.   The early days would usually feature west coast based performers winning the awards.  Johnny Cash never won a ACM Award back in the day, but Merle Haggard and Buck Owens sure did.
• While the CMA Awards would rarely mix TV and movie stars in as presenters, the ACM Awards would make it a regular thing.  The show was presented from outside of Hollywood so they would utilize these stars, which would also bring in viewers that may not have been the biggest country music fans but would watch the show anyway.
• Dick Clark had a lot to do with the crossover success of the ACM Awards. When Dick Clark Productions took over with the production of the ACM Awards, ratings went through the roof.

This year's ACM Awards is hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley.  This will be the first time Dierks has hosted an award show.

Watch the Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday night 8-11pm on CBS-TV, or WBNG-TV in Binghamton.  Wake up to Glenn and Traci Monday morning on the Hawk for the complete recap and highlights from big award show.