Carrie Horton

In 1971, the Academy of Country Music Awards honored Merle Haggard with the first-ever Entertainer of the Year award. Since then, the coveted trophy has been bestowed on some of country music's best and brightest.

The CMA trophies for Male and Female Vocalist of the Year are honors to receive, not just in recognition of a single musical work, but in recognition of a year spent contributing to the country music genre as a whole.

Believe it or not, lots of your favorite performers actually have a dedicated name for the musicians who play alongside them.

Here's what it takes.

Watch country stars read some of the most painfully awful dad jokes in honor of Father's Day this Sunday (June 21).

Do you know the nicknames of your favorite country stars?

These country artists have all taken the stage during the NFL's biggest game of the year.

Watch five incredible tributes from country stars to brave members of the military.

Did you know that Stapleton has a long career of songwriting even beyond the three albums he's released?

Champs!

Which country artists have received the most ACM Awards? Here's the answer.

Can you believe it?!