George Strait accepts Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement

All eyes were on George Strait as he took the stage at the 2024 CMA Awards to accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

After a series of tribute performances from stars such as Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton, Strait shared a series of shoutouts to his fans, friends and loved ones, including Norma Strait, his wife of more than 50 years.

“I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on the small list of recipients who carry the name of the icon Willie Nelson,” said Strait, 72. “I want to thank all of these amazing artists who performed some of my songs that I’ve recorded over the years. It’s great to hear you all do them. I’m so glad I got them before you.”

Strait went on to thank his family in the audience, including his wife, son Bubba, 43, daughter-in-law Tamara and grandchildren Jilliann, 8, and Harvey, 12.

“So nice to have you all here,” he said. “But especially Norma, who has supported me for just 53 years in December. It’s also been a fantastic 53 years.”

Elsewhere in his speech, Strait thanked Jesus, his fans, record label and band, and also expressed gratitude to the late members of his inner circle, including Erv Woolsey, who managed the star for nearly 50 years and died in March, his longtime path. manager Tom Foote, who died in April, and his fiddler Gene Elders, who also died in March.

Prior to his speech, Strait was honored with a series of performances by some of the country’s biggest stars. Lainey Wilson kicked things off with “Amarillo By Morning” and Jamey Johnson followed with “Give It Away.”

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum then teamed up for “Troubadour,” and Strait eventually came out to perform “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with Chris Stapleton.

“Cheers, brother!” Strait said after the performance.

The recognition comes after a wildly successful career for the singer who has been dubbed the “King of Country”.

In the four decades since his debut album in 1981, he has released over 30 platinum or multi-platinum records. He has also produced 60 no. 1 singles and is the only performer in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over 30 years. In 2024, he released his 31st studio album, Cowboys and dreamers.

This year, Strait also broke a record for the largest ticketed concert in US history with over 110,000 people in attendance at his show in College Station, Texas, and ended the Grateful Dead’s longtime title run with over 107,000 in attendance at a 1977 show in New Jersey.

During that time, Strait has received a number of awards, including 16 Grammy Award nominations and a win for Best Country Album for 2008’s Troubadour. He also has a number of CMA honors, including 17 wins and 83 nominations, making him the most nominated artist in the award’s history. Among his wins, the singer has been named Entertainer of the Year three times, in 1989, 1990 and 2013.

Wednesday’s lifetime honor comes a week after it was first revealed that Strait would be the latest artist to receive the award, which was first introduced in 2012 and has since been presented to Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021) and Alan Jackson (2022).

See all of PEOPLE’s full CMA Awards coverage here.

“There have been few other artists as authentically Texas and authentically Country as George Strait, and country music fans around the world have been better for it,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement at the time.

She added, “As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to many of the great new artists we know today. I’m thrilled we’re honoring him with this well-deserved honor.”

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The 58th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20 from 8pm to 11pm on ABC. The show will be streamed the following day on Hulu.