1991 CMA Awards: Performers, Winners, and Show Highlights
Your Complete Guide to the 1991 Country Music Association Awards
Written by Amanda Tempel
Vince Gill and Alan jackson led the nominations for the 24th annual CMA Awards with six each. “The 25th Annual CMA Awards,” took place at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and was broadcasted on October 2, 1991, on CBS. Reba McEntire hosted the show. Find the complete list of 1991 CMA Award performers, presenters, winners, and show highlights below.
1991 CMA Award Winners
Entertainer of the Year - George Strait
Garth Brooks: “This is cool. Funny how a chubby kid can just be having fun and they call it entertaining. I know this embarrasses these two guys every time I say this, but I don’t think any entertainer is anything without his heroes. I love my George’s - George Strait and George Jones - thank you guys for being real good to me. No offense Mr. President, I’m sorry, I really didn’t think about that, sorry. Bob Doyle, Pam Lewis. I was just pulling up my britches when I heard about the Video of the Year, so I apologize for not coming out, the one thing I did really want to say on that is when the video came out, and it’s important that someone in this building knows this - my wife hated the video. Probably because of the sex scenes, anything that any normal spouse would. Once she saw what was happening to her husband, she immediately ran to my side. Being out on the road, and making decisions like that, you’ve been a damn good friend to me, Sandy. Thanks for standing beside me. Most of all, to radio, to Capitol, all around the world, most of all though, to those fans. To my fan club, you outgrew me so fast, and I’m sorry, I hope this new Believers club will do something for you in replace. Most of all though, thank you God. God bless you!”
Female Vocalist: Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker was unable to appear at the CMA Awards. Presenter Clint Black accepted on her behalf.
Clint Black: “She already has one prize today. This afternoon, Tanya had a beautiful baby boy she named Beau after her dad.”
Male Vocalist: Vince Gill
Vince Gill: “Thank you very much. I gotta few people to thank. Learning to sing was the greatest thing of my life. My dad taught me. Appreciate it. Come a long way from three chords and “Ole Shep,” - first song I ever learned. Guys like Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Eddy Arnold, and Jim Reeves, so many great people that a student can learn from and I learned from the very best. I would not be here without the lessons that I learned from the greats. I thank you very much.”
Vocal Group: Kentucky Headhunters
Kentucky Headhunters:
Richard Young: “That’s great folks. Normally I stand up here and talk a whole lot but I’m not gonna do it tonight. I just wanna say that, on my part, I’m going to accept this one here for a great musician that died last week from our home town Mr. Billy Vaughn. Ricky’s got something to say.”
Rickey Lee Phelps: “First of all, we want to be able to personally welcome President and Mrs. Bush to the show tonight. This is a great honor for everyone. Also, as we’ve been going up and down the road all the way through the United States and Canada, we’ve been meeting a lot of folks along the way, a lot of real nice folks. And all they ever say to us is ‘don’t change, remain the way you are, we like what you’re doing.’ A lot of times in the industry, they get mixed up, and try to make you conform to this and that. We want to stand up for being who you are and we want to thank everybody for that. On behalf on all the artists that are out there struggling to maintain their personal integrity, and to all the small children, the teenagers, and the moms and dads, and the grandparents who buy those records and go to those concerts, we really appreciate it because you all are the backbone of our livelihoods and we appreciate it very much.”
Richard Young: “Thanks to the best manager in the world, Mr. Mitchell Fox.”
Greg Martin: “Thank you very much.”
Fred Young: “Thank y’all.”
Vocal Duo: The Judds
The Judds:
Wynonna: “Seven years ago we stood up here and it was our first and tonight’s our last. I want to thank, as a dreamer, all the men and women out there who have pulled for The Judd’s. As a daughter, I want to thank the Lord above for answering my prayers and giving mom this wonderful year. To stand by and watch her onstage every night, drinking in the applause like water. All the love and respect that you guys have given her, to stand by and watch, that is the truest gift of all. Thank you.”
Naomi: “I had some thank-you’s but they just went out the window. I wasn’t expecting that. Something just came over me that’s much more important to say. I don’t know if you all know, but in the bible, the words ‘Jehovah Rapha’ means ‘the Lord God my healer.’ He is more powerful than my liver disease, or your cancer, or your heart disease, or anything, any injury, any disease, or problem that your lips can say. And because of Jesus, I know there is light after darkness. And yes, I am in the twilight of my career that I love so desperately. There are days that it rips my guts out, but because of you all, you have let me shine like the evening star, and I’ll never, ever forget you. And someday, my little ol’ heart is going to be bursting with pride and with eager joy upon that bright new dawn when Wynonna is the rising sun. And the folks here in this audience right now and all of you out in TV land, who’ve been the best friends I’ve ever had in my whole life, and I want you to remember something - that every ending is a new beginning. Farewell.”
Horizon: Travis Tritt
Travis Tritt: “Wow! Well, now maybe people will quit calling me Randy. I tell you what, it’s been such a great couple of years for me. I’ve been nominated for a lot of these awards and this is the first one I’ve ever won, so I have to thank a lot of people who have said the same thing for the last two years and they said, ‘Travis, hang in there. Your time’s coming.’ Among those people, first of all, I have to thank the man that’s responsible for me being here, a gentleman by the name of Danny Davenport, I love you buddy, you’re the best. Also, my wonderful manager Mr. Ken Kragen, who has been responsible for a lot of great things for me, thank you. Fantastic producer, Mr. Gregg Brown. Also, the wonderful folks at Warner Brothers - Jim Ed Norman, Nick Hunter, Janice Asrack, Doug Growl, Rick Moxley, all those wonderful people. Thank you to Warner Brothers, we appreciate it, and all the other wonderful folks at Warner Brothers, I appreciate it very much. I have to thank Nancy Russell who’s with Evelyn Shriver Public Relations, for doing such a great job with publicity. Also, the people at Sony Tree Publishing for helping us out so much. Also, I wish I could see them right now, because my mom and dad - I love them so much - and my sister are here. And I wish I knew where they were - if you all are here, scream at me because I haven’t seen where you’re sitting. I love ya! Also, the fans that have made all of this happen, God Bless you, we appreciate you, and more than anybody else, I have to thank the person who’s responsible for all of this and all the good things that happen to us, the almighty God. Thank you so much - you’ll never know what this means to me.”
Album of the Year: No Fences - Garth Brooks | Producer: Allen Reynolds
Garth Brooks: “This is cool. I’d like to send this out to Allen Reynolds and Mark Miller. To Bob Doyle and Pam Lewis, all the great people at Capitol Nashville. I forgot to thank Dwayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee for “Friends in Low Places” along with all the other writers also on this album. To the people that got it - to the people who went out and bought this and wrote those letters to me about it - thanks for listening. God bless you.”
Nominees:
Award goes to Artist, and Producer(s).
Don’t Rock the Jukebox – Alan Jackson
Producer: Scott Hendricks and Keith Stegall
Pocket Full of Gold – Vince Gill
Producers: Tony Brown
Put Yourself In My Shoes – Clint Black
Producer: James Stroud
Rumor Has It – Reba McEntire
Producer: Tony Brown
Song of the Year: “When I Call Your Name” | Songwriters: Vince Gill & Tim DuBois
Tim DuBois: “Thank you very much. This song has been wonderful to me and Vince both. I’d like to thank Warner Chapel who has been my publisher through the years. All my friends who stuck with me and believed with me. My family. And thank Vince Gill for being such an inspiration to write for.”
Vince Gill: “Thank you very much. I also want to say a very heartfelt appreciation having the President and First Lady with us - that’s quite an honor. It’s an honor to stand before you. But you gotta do something about the Secret Service guys, they’re pitching us songs back there. Oh boy, I might not should’ve done that. This song has been a major blessing, it’s opened so many doors that I found closed for a lot of years. They asked me if there’s one I could win and this would be it, without question, because it’s meant so much and has done so much. Tim, I thank you, you’re a dear friend. This is a great way to close out this song. It’s been a very, very big blessing for me. Y’all take care.”
Nominees:
Award is presented to the songwriter.
“Don’t Rock The Juekbox”
Writers: Alan Jackson Roger Murrah Keith Stegall
“Friends in Low Places”
Writers: Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee
“Here In The Real World”
Writers: Mark Irwin Alan Jackson
“The Dance”
Writer: Tony Arata
Single of the Year: “Friends In Low Places” – Garth Brooks | Producer: Allen Reynolds
Garth Brooks: “Thank you so much. I’d like to thank all the great guys at Capitol Nashville. I’d like to thank Allen Reynolds and Mark Miller for making such a wild record. To the folks at radio, again, man I know you’re sick of this song but thanks for doing it. Radio - you’re great. For the people that called in, of course all my friends in low places, wherever you’re at. God bless you all.”
Nominees:
Award goes to Artist and Producer
“Don’t Rock The Jukebox” – Alan Jackson
Producers: Scott Hendricks and Keith Stegall
“Don’t Tell Me What To Do” – Pam Tillis
Producers: Ed Seay and Paul Worley
“Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” – Travis Tritt
Producer: Gregg Brown
“Pocket Full of Gold” – Vince Gill
Producer: Tony Brown
Vocal Event of the Year: “‘Restless” – The New Nashville Cats: Mark O’Connor, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Steve Wariner
Mark O’Connor: “My mind’s going blank. I’d like to thank Jim Ed Norman, Warner Brothers Records, especially thank Ricky, Steve, and Vince for lending their support and incredible talents to the New Nashville Cats album which is a celebration of the musicians and the music, and music of Nashville. Thanks very much.”
Ricky Skaggs: “Thank you, Mark. I just wanted to say, I want to encourage all you young people watching TV tonight, all you little musicians about this big. Stay in there with it. I know your fingers hurt and they bleed, and they feel really bad, but look here, Mark’s been playing since he was just a kid, and just stay with it, don’t give up. It’s your calling in life, so stay with it. God bless you.”
Steve Wariner: “Thank you so much. I certainly appreciate this. This is my first. Thank you. I want to say thanks to Jim Ed Norman, all the people at Warner Brothers, I certainly appreciate it. What great company, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and all the great players and musicians that played on the record and the album. Especially the fabulous, closest to genius there could be in my book, Mr. Mark O’Connor. Thank you, Mark.”
Vince Gill: “I’d just like to say this is definitely an award for the pickers. They deserve it and they’ve been long overlooked, in my opinion, over the years. To be included, in my opinion, with Mark O’Connor, who is without question, the best musician on this planet, I thank you.”
Nominees:
Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler
Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton - “Rockin’ Years”
Highwaymen (Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings) - Highwaymen 2
Randy Travis and George Jones - “A Few Ole Country Boys”
Music Video of the Year: “The Thunder Rolls” – Garth Brooks | Director: Bud Schaetzle
Nominees:
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director.
“Come Next Monday” – KT Oslin
Director: Jack Cole
“Don’t Rock the Jukebox” – Alan Jackson
Director: Julien Temple
“Fancy” – Reba McEntire
Director: Jack Cole
“Love Can Build a Bridge” – The Judds
Director: Bud Schaetzle
Musician of the Year: Mark O'Connor
Nominees:
Chet Atkins
Barry Beckett
Paul Franklin
Matt Rollings
1991 CMA Award Performances
Mark O'Connor featuring Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Alison Krauss, Carl Perkins, Jerry Douglass, Albert Lee, Bill Monroe, Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs - “Restless”
George Strait - “You Know Me Better Than That”
Trisha Yearwood - “She’s In Love With the Boy”
Alan Jackson - “Don’t Rock The Jukebox”
Vince Gill and Patty Loveless - “Pocket Full of Gold”
Clint Black and Roy Rogers - “Hold On Partner”
Travis Tritt - “Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”
Doug Stone - “In A Different Light”
Pam Tillis - “Put Yourself In My Place”
Mark Chesnutt - “Brother Jukebox”
Mary Chapin Carpenter and Beausoleil - “Down at the Twist and Shout”
Mike Reid - Medley: Old Folks, Stranger In My House, Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go, Walk on Faith
Garth Brooks - “Shameless”
Dolly Parton - “Eagle When She Flies”
Reba McEntire - “For My Broken Heart”
1991 CMA Award Presenters
Anne Murray
George Jones and Lorrie Morgan
Johnny Cash
Vince Gill and Patty Loveless
Clint Black and Roy Rogers
The Judds
Mike Reid
Kathy Mattea
Ricky Van Shelton
Sweethearts of the Rodeo and James Blundell
Barbara Mandrell
Eddy Arnold
1991 CMA Awards Recap
President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush attended the 1991 CMA Awards, marking the first appearance by a president. Reba McEntire announced the Mr. and Mrs. Bush as they paraded through the Grand Ole Opry House, taking a seat in the second row, situated next to Crystal Gayle and other country stars. Many winners acknowledged the President during their acceptance speeches, including the Kentucky Headhunters, who all donned FFA jackets for the night.
The Judd’s, Naomi and Wynonna, received a standing ovation following their win for Vocal Duo - host Reba was visibly moved, shedding tears following their speech. Reba would later give an emotional performance of “For My Broken Heart,” her voice trailing off near the song’s end.
During his acceptance speech for Music Video of the Year for “The Thunder Rolls,” director Bud Schaetzle took a jab at country music cable network TNN. The station had refused to play the music video due to the content. Schaetzle ended his speech with, “I hope everybody at TNN knows how much we appreciate their help.”
Dolly Parton performed the title track of her upcoming album, “Eagle When She Flies.” She then presented Jo Walker-Meador with the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence. After the speech, Dolly remerges with Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, George Jones, and several other country acts to congratulate the beloved Nashville executive.
Barbara Mandrell announced the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame - Boudleaux and Felice Bryant. Felice accepted the honor on behalf of herself and her late husband.
“Thank you. Thank you all. I’ve got notes. My two sons - Del wrote something to say and Dane wrote something to say. My secretary wrote a speech. And then I wrote a speech, and yet I’m going to stand here and say I’m speechless. If Boudleaux were here, he would thank everybody….I’m going to fall down, I’m going to have to get off here…Barbara, I’m so glad you brought George with you, and thank you everybody.” - Felice Bryant
The night concluded with President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush taking the stage. With the entire cast of performers and winners from the night standing behind him, the President spoke about the impact of country music.
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