The
Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as the
ACM 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. Under their guidance, the show moved to
NBC and finally to
CBS, where it remains today.