FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2016 file photo, Dolly Parton poses in the press room with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the 50th annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. Parton is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - George Strait, Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini, Eric Church, Reba McEntire, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson and Shel Silverstein will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special.
ACM announced Tuesday the special award honorees for the ACM Honors show, to be held in Nashville on Aug. 23 and broadcast at a later date on CBS.
Strait will receive the Cliffie Stone Icon Award and Parton will receive the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. The Gene Weed Milestone Award will go to Ballerini, while Church will receive the Merle Haggard Spirit Award. McEntire and radio DJ Bob Kingsley will receive the Mae Boren Axton Service Award, while Keith, Nelson and Silverstein will get the Poet's Award.
The TV show "Nashville" will receive the Tex Ritter Film Award.
FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2017, file photo, Willie Nelson performs in Nashville, Tenn. Nelson is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2015 file photo, George Strait poses for a portrait at the MGM Grand Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Strait is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Al Powers/Powers Imagery/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2017, file photo, Kelsea Ballerini poses in Nashville, Tenn. Ballerini is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This Nov. 2, 2016 file photo shows Reba McEntire at the 50th annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. McEntire is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this April 7, 2014, file photo shows Toby Keith performs at ACM Presents an All-Star Salute to the Troops in Las Vegas. Keith is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this April 29, 2016 file photo, Eric Church performs at the 2016 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. Church is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press