On August 21, the Academy of Country Music will recognize Tony Brown’s lasting impact on country music as he will receive the ACM Icon Award during the ACM Honors at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Brown’s early days in music were spent playing piano alongside Elvis Presley, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Emmylou Harris, before eventually finding his way to the MCA A&R department in the 80s, working with Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, and Nanci Griffith. Brown also produced music from Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, and George Strait. His creative fingerprints are all over the sound of country music over the last 40 years. “Getting this award just sort of gives me, I don’t know, credibility in my mind that I’m not an old-timer,” Brown reveals. “I am totally pumped that this [award] popped up right now. It’s a big deal.” (Billboard)