Brooks & Dunn will receive the 2026 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, the Country Music Association announced Monday. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will be honored during the 60th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 18 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where they will be recognized as part of a special tribute. The ceremony will air live on ABC and Disney+, with the show available on Hulu the following day. Lainey Wilson is set to return as host.
The CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes artists who have reached an exceptional level of distinction in country music through their recordings, performances, career achievements, philanthropy and broader influence. Brooks & Dunn join a distinguished group of previous recipients that includes Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Alan Jackson, George Strait and 2025 honoree Vince Gill.
Brooks & Dunn remain active on the country scene and are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year at this year’s CMA Awards alongside Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Muscadine Bloodline and Thelma & James. The pair has earned 20 CMA Awards, including a record 16 Vocal Duo of the Year victories, and became the CMA Awards’ most-awarded act in 2025. They also were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019 after building a catalog that includes 20 No. 1 country hits and more than 30 million albums sold.
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