John Denver Showed Us the Proper Way to Win an Award

Let's reflect on the 1976 American Music Awards, and a very classy winner, John Denver.

This particular moment is inspired by three things:

• I really miss John Denver
• He uses his moment in the sun to boost Country Music
• He's professional and classy, the way award winners should be. Okay, the tux is a bit dated, but John still knows class.

Denver received the award for "Best Male Singer" in the Country category at the 1976 American Music Awards. This was something of a triumph, considering the disgraceful antics the previous year involving Country artist Charlie Rich. While presenting the CMA award for Entertainer of the Year at the 1975 CMA's, Rich opened the envelope, announced the winner as “My friend, Mister John Denver," and then pulled out his cigarette lighter and set the envelope on fire. Rich eventually blamed his actions as the result of being "over-medicated." As you can imagine, Rich was not invited back the next year.

Over the course of his career, John Denver brought home numerous awards, both in and out of Country.

• 1974 ACM Album of the Year
• 1975 AMA Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist
• 1976 AMA Favorite Country Album
• 1976 AMA Favorite Male Artist
• 1975 CMA Entertain of the Year
• 1975 CMA Song of the Year
• 1975 Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for "An Evening With John Denver"
• 1997 Grammy Best Musical Album for Children
• 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame Award