Ricky Skaggs Takes Home 1985’s Most Coveted Country Music Award

In October of 1985 at the Country Music Association Awards Show, the seats were filled with future Country Music Hall of Famers.

Alabama.  Floyd Cramer. George Strait. Chet Atkins. Willie Nelson. Dolly Parton. Barbara Mandrell.  and many more. But enough with the name-dropping.

The star-studded event was hosted by another Hall of Famer, Kris Kristofferson, along with the Canadian songbird Anne Murray.

The Male Vocalist of the Year was a man who's still putting out fantastic music, King George, George Strait.

The Female Vocalist of the Year was a lady that, yes, is still putting out fantastic music, Reba McEntire.

Song of the Year for 1985, which goes to the songwriter?  It's a song that has never died, is still played around the world, Lee Greenwood's patriotic 'God Bless The U.S.A.'

The Single of the Year went to the Mother/Daughter duo, The Judds for 'Why Not Me'.  And Album of the Year went to Mr. Strait for 'Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind'.

But the most coveted award each year is, of course, Entertainer of the Year.  Was it Alabama? No.  Lee Greenwood? Nope. Reba McEntire? A great entertainer, but no.  Did King George take it home? No, sir.

That award in that great year of country music went to a man that isn't (but should be!) in the Hall of Fame, Country and Bluegrass music legend Ricky Skaggs (also still, all these years later, putting out great music!).

Oh, and let's have a little fun and take a look at the Video of the Year (at a time when videos were still pretty unique)...Bocephus with the classic 'All My Rowdy Friends (are coming over tonight).