Charlie Rich Vs. John Denver
The legendary Charlie Rich faux pas began at the 1975 CMAs when he was supposed to announce that John Denver had won Entertainer of the Year. Rather than burning the card with Denver’s name on it, he decided to incinerate it.
Rich’s stand against intrusive pop music influences that were seeping into country music was viewed by many as a protest. Charlie Jr., Rich’s son, has said that it wasn’t a jab at Denver and that his father had simply attempted to be amusing.