Parton, Howard, Haggard, Travis, Hank Jr. honored by Hall

Parton will receive the Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.

Haggard and the late Howard were named winners of the Poet's Award, honoring songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music. Haggard scored his first Top 20 in 1964 with a cover of Wynn Stewart's Sing A Sad Song, and later his own major hit Swinging Doors and The Fugitive. He has had 40 number 1 hits.

Howard wrote more than 4,000songs including I Fall To Pieces, I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, Somebody Should Leave and Why Not Me. Howard's career took off in the late 1950s with Charlie Walker's rendition of Pick Me Up on Your Way Down and Ray Price's Heartaches by the Numbers.

Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and Hank Williams Jr. were chosen to receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.

Reed scored his first single If the Good Lord's Willing and the Creeks Don't Rise when he was 18 years old and gained recognition in 1958 when Gene Vincent covered his Crazy Legs. He penned Brenda Lee's That's All You Got to Do and had his own hits with Goodnight Irene, If I Don't Live Up to It and his first charting single Guitar Man. His biggest hit was When You're Hot, You're Hot in 1971.

Rogers got his first taste of musical fame as a member of First Edition with hits Reuben James and Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town and became a superstar in his own right with Lucille, The Gambler, Daytime Friends and Coward of the County. He has nine ACM awards to his credit (among countless other awards), including Entertainer of the Year in 1978 and the Career Achievement Award in 2000. Rogers has sold more than 120 million records during his career, and is one of the Top 10 best-selling artists of all time. His new project is scheduled for release in 2009, featuring another duet with fellow music legend Parton.

Travis' debut, "Storms of Life," sold more than 3 million copies, making him the first country act to go multi-platinum. Travis has sold more than 25 million records, has 22 number 1 hits, 6 Grammy Awards and 9 ACM Awards.

Williams hits include A Country Boy Can Survive, Family Tradition, All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down) and Whiskey Bent and Hellbound.Williams was named the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year three times.

The Tex Ritter Award goes to "Beer For My Horses," which is given to a movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music.

The Mae Boren Axton Award goes to David Young, given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music. Young has been with the Academy of Country Music in various positions for 20 years. Most recently as senior director of operations, his responsibilities have included managing the office and all logistics for the Academy.

Other awards were:

Top Guitarist - Tom Bukovac

Top Piano/Keyboard - Gordon Mote

Top Bass - Glenn Worf

Top Percussion/Drummer - Greg Morrow

Top Steel Guitar - Dan Dugmore

Top Fiddle - Aubrey Haynie

Top Special Instruments - Eric Darken and Jelly Roll Johnson (tied)

Top Audio Engineer - Chuck Ainlay

Top Producer - Tony Brown

Industry Awards:

Nightclub of the Year - Joe's Bar - Chicago, IL

Casino of the Year - Turning Stone Casino - Verona, NY

Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year - Fran Romeo - Romeo Entertainment

Promoter - Louis Messina - The Messina Group

Venue of the Year - The Ryman Auditorium - Nashville

The ACM Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are awarded during years where the Board of Directors feels there are clear and deserving candidates. Special Awards and MBI Awards are presented to recipients at ACM Honors, a special event will be held Sept. 21 in Nashville.