Since 1968, the ACM Awards have honored some of country music's best and brightest each spring. Those first few years were simple shows, especially in comparison to the extravaganza it has become these days.

Held in Los Angeles, or nearby Buena Park, the ACM Awards began with awards for the top male and female vocalists, for the best new male and female vocalists, and for the year's top duo and band. The Album of the Year category arrived in 1968, one year before Single of the Year was added; Entertainer of the Year wasn't introduced until 1971, along with Song of the Year.

The ACM Awards were first broadcast on TV in 1972 — but even as recently as the 1990s, the awards ceremonies weren't as glitzy and glamorous as they are today. The event took place at Los Angeles' Pantages Theatre in 1990, and at the Universal Amphitheater during the rest of the decade, and as you'll see the photo gallery below, they were more casual affairs. Flip through to catch the Judds, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and more backstage.

The 2019 ACM Awards will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7. The ceremony will begin at 8PM ET, and Reba McEntire is set to return to host the awards show.

Remember: The best way to watch the ACM Awards is on TV, with ToC on your phone.

Go Backstage at the ACM Awards in the 1990s:

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