Charlie Daniels Band and Chet Atkins perform "The South's Gonna Do It Again" at "The 12th Annual CMA Awards" on Oct. 9, 1978, at the Grand Ole Opry House, live telecast on the CBS Television Network.

Dolly Parton's performance weakened the threads of her outfit at "The 12th Annual CMA Awards" on Oct. 9, 1978, at the Grand Ole Opry House, live telecast on the CBS Television Network. All excitement busted loose later in the night, when she was named Entertainer of the Year.

Grandpa Jones, a presenter at "The 12th Annual CMA Awards" on Oct. 9, 1978, at the Grand Ole Opry House, live telecast on the CBS Television Network.

The Oak Ridge Boys - from left to right, Joe Bonsall, william Lee Golden, Dunae Allen and Richard Sterban - celebrate after being named the CMA's top Vocal Group at "The 12th Annual CMA Awards" on Oct. 9, 1978, at the Grand Ole Opry House, live telecast on the CBS Television Network. A bemused Johnny Cash, the host that year, looks on in the background.

Roy Clark wins Instrumentalist of the Year award at "The 12th Annual CMA Awards" on Oct. 9, 1978, at the Grand Ole Opry House, live telecast on the CBS Television Network. Other nominees were Chet Atkins, Johnny Gimble, Charlie McCoy, Jerry Reed.