Year
|
Winner(s)
|
Title
|
Nominees
|
Ref.
|
1970
|
Danny Davis,
Nashville Brass
|
The Nashville Brass Featuring Danny Davis Play More Nashville Sounds
|
|
[1]
|
1971
|
Chet Atkins,
Jerry Reed
|
Me & Jerry
|
|
[2]
|
1972
|
Chet Atkins
|
"Snowbird"
|
|
[3]
|
1973
|
Charlie McCoy
|
The Real McCoy
|
|
[4]
|
1974
|
Eric Weissberg,
Steve Mandell
|
"
Dueling Banjos"
|
|
[5]
|
1975
|
Chet Atkins,
Merle Travis
|
The Atkins–Travis Traveling Show
|
|
[6]
|
1976
|
Chet Atkins
|
"
The Entertainer"
|
|
[7]
|
1977
|
Chet Atkins,
Les Paul
|
Chester and Lester
|
|
[8]
|
1978
|
Hargus "Pig" Robbins
|
Country Instrumentalist of the Year
|
|
[9]
|
1979
|
Asleep at the Wheel
|
"
One O'Clock Jump"
|
|
[10]
|
1980
|
Doc Watson &
Merle Watson
|
"Big Sandy/Leather Britches"
|
|
[11]
|
1981
|
Gilley's Urban Cowboy Band
|
"
Orange Blossom Special/Hoedown"
|
|
[12]
|
1982
|
Chet Atkins
|
Country, After All These Years
|
|
[13]
|
1983
|
Roy Clark
|
"
Alabama Jubilee"
|
|
[14]
|
1984
|
New South
|
"Fireball"
|
|
[15]
|
1985
|
Ricky Skaggs
|
"Wheel Hoss"
|
|
[16]
|
1986
|
Chet Atkins,
Mark Knopfler
|
"Cosmic Square Dance"
|
|
[17]
|
1987
|
Ricky Skaggs
|
"Raisin' the Dickens"
|
|
[18]
|
1988
|
Asleep at the Wheel
|
"String of Pars"
|
|
[19]
|
1989
|
Asleep at the Wheel
|
"
Sugarfoot Rag"
|
|
[20]
|
1990
|
Randy Scruggs
|
"
Amazing Grace"
|
|
[21]
|
1991
|
Chet Atkins,
Mark Knopfler
|
"
So Soft, Your Goodbye"
|
|
[22]
|
1992
|
Mark O'Connor
|
The New Nashville Cats
|
|
[23]
|
1993
|
Chet Atkins,
Jerry Reed
|
Sneakin' Around
|
|
[24]
|
1994
|
Asleep at the Wheel Featuring
Eldon Shamblin,
Johnny Gimble,
Chet Atkins,
Vince Gill,
Marty Stuart &
Reuben "Lucky Oceans" Gosfield
|
"
Red Wing"
|
|
[25]
|
1995
|
Chet Atkins
|
"Young Thing"
|
|
[26]
|
1996
|
Asleep at the Wheel,
Bela Fleck,
Johnny Gimble
|
"Hightower"
|
|
[27]
|
1997
|
Chet Atkins
|
"Jam Man"
|
-
Vassar Clements,
Richard Greene,
Chris Thile, Scott Nygaard,
Todd Philips for "Scotland"
-
Diamond Rio for "Big"
-
Ronnie McCoury,
David Grier,
Stuart Duncan,
Craig Smith,
Todd Phillips for "
Rawhide"
-
Steve Wariner with
Bryan Austin,
Derek George,
Jeffrey Steele, and
Bryan White for "The Brickyard Boogie"
|
[28]
|
1998
|
Alison Krauss & Union Station
|
"
Little Liza Jane"
|
|
[29]
|
1999
|
Randy Scruggs,
Vince Gill
|
"A Soldier's Joy"
|
|
[30]
|
2000
|
Asleep at the Wheel featuring
Tommy Allsup,
Floyd Domino,
Larry Franklin,
Vince Gill &
Steve Wariner
|
"Bob's Breakdowns"
|
|
[31]
|
2001
|
Alison Brown,
Bela Fleck
|
"Leaving Cottondale"
|
|
[32]
|
2002
|
Various Artists
|
"
Foggy Mountain Breakdown"
|
|
[33]
|
2003
|
Dixie Chicks
|
"Lil' Jack Slade"
|
|
[34]
|
2004
|
Alison Krauss & Union Station
|
"Cluck Old Hen"
|
|
[35]
|
2005
|
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ft.
Earl Scruggs,
Randy Scruggs,
Vassar Clements,
Jerry Douglas
|
"Earl's Breakdown"
|
|
[36]
|
2006
|
Alison Krauss and Union Station
|
"
Unionhouse Branch"
|
|
[37]
|
2007
|
Bryan Sutton,
Doc Watson
|
"Whiskey Before Breakfast"
|
|
[38]
|
2008
|
Brad Paisley
|
"
Throttleneck"
|
|
[39]
|
2009
|
Brad Paisley,
James Burton,
Vince Gill,
John Jorgenson,
Albert Lee,
Brent Mason,
Redd Volkaert,
Steve Wariner
|
"
Cluster Pluck"
|
|
[40]
|
2010
|
Steve Wariner
|
"Producer's Medley"
|
|
[41]
|
2011
|
Marty Stuart
|
"Hummingbyrd"
|
|
[42]
|