A look at the country music legends and rising stars who competed for the CMA's highest honor from 1980 through 1989.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: November 13, 2026
The 1980s brought several milestones to the CMA Entertainer of the Year category. Barbara Mandrell became the first artist to win the award twice, while Alabama became the first group to receive the honor and went on to win three consecutive years. The decade also saw greater recognition for women in the category, alongside the emergence of artists who would remain among country music's biggest concert draws for years to come.
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1980
Winner: Barbara Mandrell
Nominees:
Charlie Daniels Band
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
Willie Nelson
Kenny Rogers
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1981
Winner: Barbara Mandrell
Nominees:
Alabama
George Jones
Oak Ridge Boys
Kenny Rogers
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1982
Winner: Alabama
Nominees:
Barbara Mandrell
Willie Nelson
Oak Ridge Boys
Ricky Skaggs
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1983
Winner: Alabama
Nominees:
Merle Haggard
Barbara Mandrell
Willie Nelson
Ricky Skaggs
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1984
Winner: Alabama
Nominees:
Lee Greenwood
Barbara Mandrell
Ronnie Milsap
Oak Ridge Boys
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1985
Winner: Ricky Skaggs
Nominees:
Alabama
Lee Greenwood
Reba McEntire
George Strait
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1986
Winner: Reba McEntire
Nominees:
The Judds
Willie Nelson
Ricky Skaggs
George Strait
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1987
Winner: Hank Williams Jr.
Nominees:
The Judds
Reba McEntire
George Strait
Randy Travis
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1988
Winner: Hank Williams Jr.
Nominees:
The Judds
Reba McEntire
George Strait
Randy Travis
CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1989
Winner: George Strait
Nominees:
Reba McEntire
Randy Travis
Ricky Van Shelton
Hank Williams Jr.
Source
Explore More CMA Entertainer of the Year History
Complete CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners List
View every CMA Entertainer of the Year winner since 1967, including all-time records and links to nominees by decade.
1960s & 1970s CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners and Nominees (1967–1979)
See the complete list of winners and nominees from the award's first 13 years, including its inaugural presentation in 1967.