Country music legend George Strait will be honored with the prestigious CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during “The 58th Annual CMA Awards.”

The Country Music Association (CMA) has announced Strait as this year’s recipient, in recognition of his lasting influence and achievements in country music.

The awards ceremony, which will include a tribute performance from artists inspired by Strait, will air from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20, on ABC.

“There have been few other artists as authentically Texas and authentically Country as George Strait, and country music fans around the world are better for it,” said Sarah Trahern, Chief Executive Officer of CMA. “As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon for many of the great new artists we know today. I am very happy that we grant him this well-deserved honor.”

Strait’s career spans more than four decades and includes 60 No. 1 singles and an impressive 33 platinum or multi-platinum albums.

Known for his consistent appeal and authentic style, Strait is celebrated for combining the familiar with the innovative, both on stage and in the studio.

In an unprecedented career, Strait is the only artist to have a Top 10 hit every year for more than 30 years. With more than 70 million albums sold and more than 60 major awards, Strait’s discography includes 31 studio albums, three live albums and 11 compilation albums. His accolades include three CMA Entertainer of the Year awards, 17 CMA wins, 83 total nominations – the most in CMA history – and membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award honors artists who have achieved the highest recognition in country music. According to the CMA, the award honors those who have made an impact through “concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming songs, record sales, and public representation at the highest levels.” Recipients of this award must have positively impacted and contributed to the growth of country music while achieving historical significance among fans and industry leaders.

Strait joins a distinguished list of previous recipients including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. The award’s legacy represents decades of country music tradition, and Strait’s inclusion reinforces his role as a foundational figure in the genre’s continued success.