1992 CMA Awards: Performers, Winners, and Show Highlights
Your Complete Guide to the 1992 Country Music Association Awards
Written by Amanda Tempel
Vince Gill and Travis Tritt led the nominations for the 26th annual CMA Awards with five each. “The 26th Annual CMA Awards,” took place at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and was broadcasted on September 30, 1992, on CBS. Reba McEntire and Vince Gill hosted the show. Find the complete list of 1992 CMA Award performers, presenters, winners, and show highlights below.
1992 CMA Award Winners
Entertainer of the Year - Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks: “Guess it’s only fair to start out with the most wonderful band and crew I could ever be associated with. All the drivers, there’s eleven of you, and I know we don’t get nothing until you get there. I’d especially like to thank Kelly and Mickey for getting things done for us. I’d like to thank Bob Doyle and Pam Lewis for having the vision, all the people there that help us out. I’d love to thank Joe Harris, a wonderful man. Personally, oh man, personally, this is the one I really want. I want to thank my mom and dad. I really want to thank, now, the two people that kind of try to do it own their own when we’re out making our music. I’d like to thank my wonderful wife, Sandy. We both would like to thank, even though she doesn’t know she has patience yet, I’d like to thank our little girl Taylor, too, back home. Most of all, I want to thank the people. I want to thank God for watching over all of us out there on the road. We started here together two years ago when we got the Horizon. Was it three years ago? Or was it two years ago? It was two years ago. When we got the Horizon, one thing I have learned this past year is music and artists are going to come and go but it’s family, that’s what it’s all about. God bless you all.”
Female Vocalist: Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter: “Thank you very much. I didn’t expect this at all. I have nothing prepared to say other than to thank all my friends at Columbia Records and Triad, and Elaine Shock. Tom and John, my dear friends. All of my band. And thank you all so much for your support. I appreciate it. Thank you.”
Male Vocalist: Vince Gill
Vince Gill: “Thank you. Well now I know how Michael Jordan feels to repeat. This is very cool. My only goal tonight was to be a good host and that really took my mind off a lot of these awards, but this puts my mind right back on them. And my other goal tonight was to change clothes more time than Reba. I don’t know if I’m going to get it accomplished, but we’ve got two hours, watch what happens, kids. Thanks very much.”
Vocal Group: Diamond Rio
Marty Roe: “Thank you very much. Aw man, is that what it looks like? All of us right here have a lot of people out here to thank that have made this award possible for Diamond Rio. First off, we want to thank the one that gets left last, and that is God. We’d like to thank Him. Not for the success or the award, but for the talent and for the gift of music. We love it. We’d also like to thank our wives, without their support, we wouldn’t be here. Let me check…yes…I’m alright so far. We’d also like to thank, obviously Arista Records and Clive Davis for bringing Arista to Nashville. We want to thank our producers, Tim DuBois and Monty Powell. We want to thank the songwriters in this great town. The best songwriters in the world. We’d like to thank Ted Hacker, our manager, and all the international management, we want to thank Triad, Evelyn Shriver Public Relations for all their hard work. We also would like to thank radio for playing our records, you all wouldn’t know who we were if it weren’t for radio. They’re great. Country radio is strong as ever. Most of all, we’d like to thank the fans for buying our tickets, buying our records, if it wasn’t for y’all we couldn’t do what we do and we’re having a great time doing what we do. We love ya’ll. Thank you!
Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn:
Ronnie Dunn: “We would not do acceptance speeches or practice for this thing because we thought that would jinx us, so we’re going to be up here babbling for just a second. But we’ve got to thank Arista Records, number one, and Tim DuBois for putting this thing together. Everybody at Triad, our booking agency Sony Tree, Donna Hilley, all you people over there, we love you. Radio and the fans, thanks!”
Kix Brooks: “Thank you very much. I’d also like to say there’s an incredible tradition here from the Louvin’s to The Judd’s and to be a part of the duo thing is real important to us. I’d like to thank my partner Ronnie Dunn. The whole year’s really been a dream come true for us. Thank y’all very much.”
Ronnie Dunn: “Means a lot!”
Horizon: Suzy Bogguss
Suzy Bogguss: “Dang it, Doug, you should’ve made me think of something to say. I don’t have anything to say, I’m sorry. I’m thrilled. This is just too much. You all are too kind and I appreciate it. I have a million people to thank and I forgot to think of their names. I definitely want to thank my record label, they’ve really gotten behind me and really helped to promote my music. It’s a wonderful thing. Liberty Records, thank you very much. To Jimmy Bowen who co-produces with me and let’s me throw my little weird accents into the music. Doug Morris, manager, to Triad - my booking agent, and gosh, I feel really stupid, I didn’t think of anything. To all you folks out there that have been coming to our concerts and have been having a lot of fun, and making it inspiring for me to learn more about music, thank you very much.”
Album of the Year: Ropin’ The Wind - Garth Brooks | Producer: Allen Reynolds
Garth Brooks: “Thank you very much. The first two people I’ve got to send this out has got to be Allen Reynolds and Mark Miller, one of the few people left that really make music the first concern in this business. I’d like to thank Milton Sledge, Mike Chapman, Bobby Wood, Mark Casstevens, Chris Leuzinger, Robbie Hajacos, and Bruce Bouton - the guys who played on this album. As far as the record shop, I’d like to thank Jimmy Bowen, Joe Smith, the guys like Bill Kennedy and Jim Hall, Jim McCaul, Bob Freeze of course, and Joe Mansfield, wonderful people in the business. Personally, I’d like to thank Bob and Pam, my friends and managers. I’d like to thank my wife for putting up with me while this thing goes on. Most of all though, it’s God and the people who bought it. Thank you very very much.
Nominees:
Award goes to Artist, and Producer(s).
Brand New Man - Brooks & Dunn
Producers: Don Cook, Scott Hendricks
For My Broken Heart - Reba McEntire
Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
What Do I Do With Me - Tanya Tucker
Producer: Jerry Crutchfield
Wynonna - Wynonna Judd
Producer - Tony Brown
Song of the Year: “Look At Us” | Songwriters: Vince Gill & Max D. Barnes
Vince Gill: “Thank you very much. I was watching this show in 1989 and I saw Max D. Barnes step up here and win Song of the Year for “Chiseled in Stone” and still today he gave the greatest acceptance speech of all time. It meant a lot to me. I learned an awful lot about that man, and I know he was also rooting for his son Max T. tonight and I know he wanted Max to win because he’s a good father. It was a real honor to write this song with you, Max.”
Max D. Barnes: “Thank you, Vince. Thank you so much. I think what Vince might’ve forgot to tell you was the speech I did the last time was the probably the longest one, too. So I’m going to shorten this one up. It’s just such a pleasure and a privilege to be here in such company. I want to thank the CMA. I want to thank my wife Patsy. I want to thank Vince, MCA Records, Tony Brown for producing this. It’s just a wonderful thing and I don’t know how to tell you - this is the second one of these that I’ve had, and I mean, it’s just wonderful. I’m really at a loss for words. I’m trying to make this shorter than the last time. Thank you ever so much. You might give yourselves a hand, I think you got great taste. Thank you.”
Nominees:
Award is presented to the songwriter.
“Achy Breaky Heart”
Writer: Don Von Tress
“Don’t Rock The Juekbox”
Writers: Alan Jackson, Roger Murrah, Keith Stegall
“Down at the Twist and Shout”
Writer: Mary Chapin Carpenter
“Here's A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”
Writer: Travis Tritt
“Love, Me”
Writers: Max T. Barnes and Skip Ewing
Single of the Year: “Achy Breaky Heart” – Billy Ray Cyrus | Producers: Jim Cotton, Joe Scaife
Billy Ray Cyrus: “Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen. Thank you. First of all, I’d like to thank my record company Mercury Records for taking a chance on my Flatwoods Kentucky self. I sure do appreciate it. Second of all, I’d like to thank my record company and my producers for letting me use my band The Sly Dog - I love these guys, they are a very talented bunch of musicians. I’d like to thank my producers, Jim and Joe. Mr. Don Von Tress for writing “Achy Breaky Heart.” I’d like to thank my manager, Mr. Jack McFadden and Joe McFadden who believed in me first, thank you all. I love y’all. I’d like to thank my mom and dad. And I’d like to thank all the fans because it certainly wouldn’t have happened without you all. You all are beautiful and I love you forever. And most of all, thank the good Lord above because all things that are good come from God above, so thank you good Lord.
Nominees:
Award goes to Artist and Producer
“I Feel Lucky” – Mary Chapin Carpenter
Producers: Mary Chapin Carpenter and John Jennings
“Look At Us” – Vince Gill
Producer: Tony Brown
“Love, Me” – Collin Raye
Producers: Jerry Fuller John Hobbs
“Maybe It Was Memphis” – Pam Tillis
Producers: Ed Seay and Paul Worley
Vocal Event of the Year: “The Whiskey Ain’t Working” – Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt
Marty Stuart: “Thank you so much…thank so very much. You may be seated. I have to thank first and foremost Ronny Scaife who called me one day with a great song idea and I just showed up to help finish it. Have to thank Bonnie Gardner, my manager for thinking of the idea of the ‘No Hats Tour’. Have to thank MCA and Warner Brothers for working so great together. Buddy Lee and William Morris. Ken Kragen and Bonnie Gardner. Our bands and our crews on the ‘No Hats Tour.’ I’m so proud of the ‘No Hats Tour’ because it’s won a lot of young people over to country music. At least my part has. Hey, it speaks to itself, Travis had to go get a second job. He’s shooting a movie with Kenny Rogers in Texas - I know he’s jumping over in his trailer. I got some of my own business to take care of. I’ve been around here a long time. My mom, my dad, and my sister for letting me leave home when I was thirteen years old to come up and here and do what I love to do on this stage. And I have to thank Johnny Cash - half of this belongs to you. I love you. And June. I learned a whole lot from that man - most of it got me in trouble but I learned a whole lot. And mainly, I have to thank an old man that’s resting up in the mountains tonight - his name is Lester Flatt - for giving a thirteen year old kid a shot. Travis, I love you buddy. Bye-bye.
Nominees:
James McMurtry, Dwight Yoakam, John Prine, Joe Ely and John Mellencamp - “Buzzin' Cousins”
Clint Black and Roy Rogers - “Hold On Partner”
Keith Whitley and Earl Thomas Conley - “Brotherly Love”
Tammy Wynette and Randy Travis - “We’re Strangers Again”
Music Video of the Year: “Midnight in Montgomery” – Alan Jackson | Director: Jim Shea
Nominees:
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director.
“Achy Breaky Heart” – Billy Ray Cyrus
Director: Marc Ball
“Anymore” – Travis Tritt
Director: Jack Cole
“Is There Life Out There” – Reba McEntire
Director: Jack Cole
“Look At Us” – Vince Gill
Director: John Lloyd Miller
Musician of the Year: Mark O'Connor
Nominees:
Eddie Bayers
Larrie Londin
Matt Rollings
Brent Rowan
1992 CMA Award Performances
Wynonna - “No One Else On Earth” (Dance Remix Version)
Alan Jackson - “She’s Got The Rhythm (And I Got The Blues)”
Vince Gill - “I Still Believe In You”
Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley - “Walkaway Joe”
Billy Ray Cyrus - “Achy Breaky Heart”
Mary Chapin Carpenter - “I Feel Lucky”
Garth Brooks - “Somewhere Other Than The Night”
Reba McEntire - “The Greatest Man I Never Knew”
Steve Wariner, Lee Roy Parnell, Mark O’Connor, & Delbert McClinton - “Crash Course in the Blues”
Brooks & Dunn - “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”
Pam Tillis - “Shake The Sugar Tree”
Billy Dean - “Billy The Kid”
Suzy Bogguss - “Outbound Plane”
Tanya Tucker - “It’s A Little Too Late”
George Jones featuring Alan Jackson, T. Graham Brown, Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, Mark Chesnutt, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, Joe Diffie, Clint Black - “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair”
Dolly Parton - “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” - joined by entire cast of CMA Award performers and presenters.
1992 CMA Award Presenters
Clint Black
Mac Davis
Patty Loveless
Kathy Mattea
Lyle Lovett
Doug Stone and Hal Ketchum
Diamond Rio
Steve Wariner
Collin Raye and Michelle Wright
Naomi Judd
Vince Gill
Lorrie Morgan
Randy Travis
Johnny Cash
1992 CMA Awards Recap
The dance-craze of 1992 fueled country music and the performances at the 26th Annual CMA Awards showcased exactly that. Wynonna’s edgy R&B-infused “No One Else On Earth” was perhaps the most daring performance at that point in CMA history. Both “Achy Breaky Heart” from Billy Ray Cyrus and Brooks & Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” brought the type of energy seldom seen on the more reserved award show.
Randy Travis made the formal honor of announcing George Jones as the newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
During his acceptance speech, George said, “Can’t believe it. Thank you so much! Thank you. I don’t believe it. Greatest thing. Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say. Only thing I can say is that country music has been awful good to me throughout a whole bunch of years. And I tell you what, I’d just like to thank a few people. I’d like to thank the good Lord above, first of all, because He made it all possible, surely. I naturally got to thank all the fans in the whole wide world especially the country music fans. It’s been a great career and I ain’t over it yet and I ain’t through and I ain’t giving up, and I don’t need no rocking chair but I’ll tell you what, I want to thank one more person for making it real possible for me being able to be on this stage tonight to receive this award. Between her and God, she’s been one of the greatest ladies in the whole wide world - she’s saved my life and I’d just like to acknowledge my wife Nancy, if you’ll do that. You know I’ve won a lot of awards, not bragging, a lot of awards over a period of years. Each and every one of them was fantastic. They’d made you feel great, kept you going, and made you try harder, worker, but this has got to be the greatest one in the world. It’s made my day, it’s made my whole life. Thank you so much! I love you.”
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