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Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill Among Off-Camera ACM Awards Winners

As in most major award entertainment shows, not every winning category is featured during the televised event. So it is with the Academy of Country Music, which today announced a slew of early, off-camera winners in categories such as the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, the Crystal Milestone Award, and the Career Achievement Award.

The Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award honors individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre. It's named after Cliffie Stone, a California-based western swing artist best known for his roles at Capitol Records and as host of the influential Hometown Jamboree TV show. This year's winners include singer and songwriter Emmylou Harris; Bakersfield honky-tonk master (and 1986 ACM Best New Artist winner) Dwight Yoakam; bluegrass artist, ACM winner and '80s country hitmaker Ricky Skaggs; and producer Billy Sherrill, a guy who was responsible for a huge number of legendary hits for icons such as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Paycheck and Charlie Rich.

George Jones-He Stopped Loving Her Today.... by makeminecountry2 on YouTube

The Career Achievement Award goes to an artist who's "advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music through their endeavors in the entertainment industry in multiple areas during the preceding calendar year." This year it goes to Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill. (Past recipients include John Anderson, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Johnny Paycheck, Carl Perkins, Reba and Kenny Rogers.)

Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That Mountain (Official Music Video) by VinceGillVEVO on YouTube

Kenny Chesney landed the Crystal Milestone Award for his tour success and helping promote country music and country artists; Alan Jackson received the Jim Reeves International Award (for contributing to the acceptance of country music around the world); and Gayle Holcomb gets this year's Mae Boren Axton Award, which recognizes "dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music."

The Poet's Award honors songwriters for "outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music." This year the awards go to two artists: Bobby Braddock, who wrote some tremendously popular songs over the last few decades, including iconic '70s hits for the likes of George Jones ("He Stopped Loving Her Today") and Tammy Wynette ("D-I-V-O-R-C-E"); and country legend Roger Miller, who wrote and recorded an impressive number of hits in the 1960s including "Dang Me," "Tall, Tall Trees," and of course, "King of the Road."

Johnny Cash & Roger Miller - King Of The Road [Johnny Cash Show] by JCashShow on YouTube

Additional early 2012 ACM Awards winners:

Songwriter of the Year: Dallas Davidson

Casino of the Year: Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year: Jimmy Jay, Jayson Promotions Inc.

Nightclub of the Year: Billy Bob's Texas, Fort Worth, Texas

Promoter of the Year: Brian O'Connell, Live Nation

Venue of the Year: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville

Producer of the Year: Frank Liddell

Audio Engineer of the Year: Justin Niebank

Bass Player of the Year: Michael Rhodes

Percussionist/Drummer of the Year: Shannon Forrest

Guitarist of the Year: Kenny Greenberg

Fiddle Player of the Year: Stuart Duncan

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year: John Hobbs

Specialty Instrument Player of the Year: Aubrey Haynie

Steel Guitar Player of the Year: Paul Franklin

- Kurt Wolff, CBS Local

Visit the ACM Awards section at CBS Local.

Cast your vote for the 2012 ACM Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

See profiles of 2012 ACM Awards nominees.

Pick which country song do you like better.

Watch the Academy of Country Music Awards live on Sunday, April 1 at 8pm ET (delayed PT) on CBS.

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