The 8th Academy of Country and Western Music Awards ceremony was held on February 26, 1973, at Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, California. It was hosted by Dick Clark. __TOC__
Winners and nominees Winners are shown in bold. Entertainer of the YearAlbum of the Year Roy Clark Merle Haggard Freddie Hart Loretta Lynn Charley Pride The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. — Donna Fargo Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me — Mac Davis Best of the Best — Merle Haggard Bless Your Heart — Freddie Hart It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad) — Merle Haggard Let Me Tell You About a Song — Merle HaggardTop Female Vocalist of the YearTop Male Vocalist of the Year Donna Fargo Loretta Lynn Anne Murray Dolly Parton Susan Raye Merle Haggard Tony Booth Freddie Hart Ray Price Charley Pride Conway TwittySingle Record of the YearSong of the Year "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA" — Donna Fargo "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry" — Jerry Wallace "It's Four in the Morning" — Faron Young "It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)" — Merle Haggard "Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)" — Johnny Rodriguez "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA" — Donna Fargo "Bless Your Heart" — Freddie Hart, Jack Lebsock "Funny Face" — Donna Fargo "It's Four in the Morning" — Jerry Chesnut "To Get To You" — Jean ChapelMost Promising Male VocalistMost Promising Female Vocalist Johnny Rodriguez Larry Booth Little Joe Shaver Red Simpson Red Stegall Tanya Tucker Sharon Leighton Jonie Mosby Bobbie Roy Kathy SmithTop Vocal Group of the Year Statler Brothers Brush Arbor The Buckaroos The Leightons Conway Twitty and Loretta LynnPioneer Award Gene Autry Cliffie Stone
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