The 32nd Annual
Country Music Association Awards
Story By Glenda S. Paradee
The 32nd Annual Country Music Awards were held September 23, 1998 at the
Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN.
There were many live performances throughout the evening. The show
started with a performance by Randy Skruggs and Vince Gill to honor
bluegrass music singing "Soldier's Joy." Vince Gill was the host of the
show and did an fun, entertaining job. Shania Twain came out and did
her song "Honey I'm Home" with a bunch of screaming teenage girls that
came up front to the stage.
The first award was for Song of the Year and it went out to
songwriters Steve Wariner and Billy Kirsch for "Holes In The Floor of
Heaven." Brooks & Dunn came out and sang a wonderful Roger Miller song.
Then the Vocal Duo award was announced and went to Brooks & Dunn.
Then Faith Hill did a great job singing "This Kiss" with her video from
the song playing in the background. George Strait then performed his
newest hit "We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This." Then the Album of the
Year award went to Tim McGraw for "Everywhere".
Martina McBride took to the stage singing the beautiful song "Wrong Again". A very touching
portion of the show was when they inducted Tammy Wynette into the CMA
Hall of Fame. The award was accepted by Wynette's longtime husband
George Richie. Horizon Award nominee Trace Adkins sang a song. Next
Alan Jackson came out and performed his new song "I'll Go On Loving
You". The Vocal Group of the Year was presented to The Dixie Chicks.
Then Jo Dee Messina sang "Bye Bye".
Tim McGraw then sang his hit "Just
To See You Smile". Vocal Event honors went to Patty Loveless and
George Jones for their duet "You Don't Seem to Miss Me." Then Patty
Loveless sang. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood did a wonderful duet
live from a Buffalo, New York concert. They performed "Where Your Road
Leads". It was electrifying. Then the Male Vocalist of the Year went
to George Strait. Then another Horizon Award Nominee, Michael Peterson,
sang "Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie."
Steve Wariner then performed "Holes
In The Floor of Heaven." Next was another Horizon Award Nominee, Lee
Ann Womack, performed a song. The Female Vocalist of the Year award
went to Trisha Yearwood. The next CMA Hall of Fame inductee was for
Elvis Presley. Presented by Wynonna and Travis Tritt and accepted by
Prescilla Presley. The Dixie Chicks performed their hit "There's Your
Trouble." The next award presented was the "Horizon Award" and it went
to The Dixie Chicks.
LeAnn Rimes performed her hit "Nothin' New Under
the Moon. Then the CMA Radio Stations of the Year were announced and
the CMA Radio Personalities of the Year award went to Ben and Brian of
KMLE in Phoenix, AZ. Another CMA Hall of Fame Inductee was George
Morgan presented by Randy Travis and accepted by George's wife and
daughter Lorrie Morgan.
One of the most memorable performances of the
night was from Reba McEntire who received a standing ovation for singing
"Forever Love". Reba did a fantastic job on the song and she was
noticeably moved by the response of the audience. The next CMA Hall of
Fame inductee was E.W. Bud Wendell. Sawyer Brown performed "Six Days On
The Road". They then presented the Musician of the Year to Brent
Mason.
Another very special moment in the program was when the
beautiful Kathy Mattea came out to give a tribute to all the wonderful
people who have passed on this past year who made such a wonderful
contribution to the Country Music Industry. Including Carl Perking,
Floyd Cramer, Eddie Rabbit and many, many more. Mattea said "They will
all be missed and they will all be remembered." It was a very touching
presentation. The Music Video of the Year was presented to Faith Hill
and director Steven Goldmann for "This Kiss". Then Vince Gill sang a
tribute song to his father called "The Key To Life". It was very
emotional.
Then finally the Entertainer of the Year award was
presented by Kris Kristofferson to Garth Brooks. Garth was in New York
so he couldn't accept the award in person so Vince Gill ran out on stage
and said "You must be present to win." It was funny. Vince Gill did a
great job again as host of the the show. It was a fantastic night for
all the country music entertainers and fans.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 1998 Country
Music Association Awards.
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