Reba McEntire Wins First-Ever ‘Nash Icon’ Award

Reba McEntire has been announced as the first-ever recipient of the Nash Icon award, which will be presented to the music legend during the inaugural American Country Countdown Awards on December 15th. In tribute to the incomparable performer, Miranda Lambert and Kelly Clarkson (who is McEntire’s stepdaughter-in-law) will perform some of her best-loved hits, followed by the award presentation by longtime friend, Kix Brooks.

“Besides being one of the classiest people to ever grace Nashville, Reba has not just done it her way, but she’s gotten all of her recognition the old fashioned way. She’s earned it,” says Brooks, who as a member of Brooks & Dunn topped the charts with McEntire in 1998 with “If You See Him/If You See Her.” “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to tour with her, dragging 21 trucks and 19 buses around, and to hear her sing by the campfire. Besides being a talented actor and host, she is seriously one of the best singers I’ve ever heard. Reba sings with her head, her heart and that amazing voice. She’s a treasure Nashville should forever be grateful for.”

Brooks is the longtime host of American Country Countdown, the long-running radio show upon which the new awards show is based. The Nash Icon award takes its name from the Cumulus Media conglomerate’s Nash brand, which hosts the radio show. Nash Icon is also the name of the new record label to which McEntire was the first artist signed. She’s now putting the finishing touches on her first Nash Icon-released album.

The December 15th American Country Countdown Awards’ live telecast begins at 8:00 p.m. ET (PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard will host and perform during the show, with additional performances from Lambert, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and Brett Eldredge.