Tags: Award.
The Academy of Country Music Awards were first held in 1966 honoring the industry’s accomplishments during the previous year. It was the first country music awards program held by a major organization. The Academy’s signature hat trophy was created in 1968. The awards were first televised in 1972 on ABC. In 1979 the Academy joined with Dick Clark Productions to produce the show. Dick Clark and Al Schwartz served as producers while Gene Weed served as director.