Garth Brooks to be honored at ACM awards

LAS VEGAS, May 8 (UPI) -- Country music star Garth Brooks will receive the Academy of Country Music Crystal Milestone Award at the ACM awards show in Las Vegas, the ACM said Thursday.

The presentation is to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand May 18 on CBS.

Brooks is also to perform a medley of his greatest hits during the broadcast.

The Milestone Award is given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement. The award was originally acknowledged during a presentation in Hollywood last fall celebrating the Recording Industry Association of America's special recognition of Brooks' 123 million in unit sales.

As the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million sales mark, Brooks has been certified as the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history.

"The academy wanted to more formally recognize Garth's career achievements and success," Bob Romeo, the academy's executive director, said in a statement. "We felt the only way to underline his unmatched contribution to the genre of country music was to recognize him on our awards show."

"The ACM has always taken care of me and my music," Brooks added. "I am flattered and humbled by what this award means."