Keith Urban, Mel Tillis Among Off Camera ACM Winners

ACM winners that will not be televised during the April 18 ceremony at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, were announced yesterday. Keith Urban, Mel Tillis and Marty Robbins are among some of the winners. 

Urban was awarded the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of Country Music throughout the world. Urban is one of the few Country stars who appeals to a wide variety of musical genres including rock and pop. He's also taken his packed-house tours to six countries on three continents. 

Mel Tillis and Marty Robbins were awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, honoring individuals who are pioneers in the Country Music genre. Robbins was in the music scene for more than four decades, having hits such as “A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)," and "El Paso." He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982 and passed away two months later. Tillis is an esteemed songwriter, having penned countless hits that include: “Honey (Open That Door)” for Ricky Skaggs,  “Diggin’ Up Bones” for Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers' "Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town." Tillis was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry cast in 2007 and continues to perform today.

Other awards announced include the Poet's Award, which was given to Don Schiltz and the late Cindy Walker; The Tex Ritter Award, which the film Crazy Heart recieved; and the Mae Boren Axton Award, which was given to Rod Essig of Creative Artist Agency. 

MBI (MUSICIANS, BAND, INSTRUMENTAL) AWARDS: 
 
TOP GUITARIST OF THE YEAR - Brent Mason
 
TOP PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Michael Rojas
 
TOP BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Michael Rhodes
 
TOP PERCUSSIONIST/DRUMMER OF THE YEAR - Shannon Forrest
 
TOP STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Paul Franklin
 
TOP FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Stuart Duncan
 
TOP SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER - Randy Scruggs
 
AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR - Justin Niebank
 
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR - Dann Huff
 
INDUSTRY AWARDS:
 
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR - Billy Bob's Texas - Ft. Worth, TX
 
CASINO OF THE YEAR - Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino - Las Vegas, NV
 
DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR - Todd Boltin - Variety Attractions, Inc.
 
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR - Brian O'Connell – LiveNation
 
VENUE OF THE YEAR - Sommet Center - Nashville, TN (Effective March 2, 2010, this venue was renamed the Bridgestone Arena, however, the Award was determined prior to the name change so will be recognized as Sommet Center.)

The 45th annual ACM Awards will take place on Sunday, April 18, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised live at 8 p.m. ET on the CBS Network.