Chesney receives Pinnacle award

The Pinnacle Award recognizes an artist who has achieved global prominence through concert performances and record sales. The artist must also have attained the highest degree of recognition within the broad expanse of music worldwide along with a "long-term positive impact on the appreciation of country music for generations to come," according to a press release.

"I can't think of a better occasion than the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards to present an award of this magnitude to an artist of this caliber," said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Kenny's outstanding career and the millions of fans he has touched through his enormously popular stadium shows epitomize the definition of the Pinnacle Award."

"When you do what you do, you never think it's a big deal," Chesney said with humility. "But when an organization like CMA recognizes you in this fashion, it makes you step back. To receive this award - especially during their 50th anniversary - is such an honor, because they're recognizing half a century of country music."

The Pinnacle Award was created in 2005 when it was presented to Garth Brooks. The only other recipient is Taylor Swift (2013).