By admin 
Introduction
The Living Legend Award is a special honor, given to recognize artists whose careers have spanned 25 years or more. As a former recipient once said, it is one of the most cherished accolades in music. In 1988, the award was presented by last year’s winner, the legendary George Jones.
“Tonight’s Living Legend,” Jones began, “not only reached the top but has stayed there year after year. Whatever that magic is that keeps a performer’s popularity alive, tonight’s winner has had it from the very beginning—even from the moment he was born.”
The ceremony celebrated Conway Twitty, hailed as the King of Country Soul, with heartfelt applause and music filling the room. Twitty’s journey had been anything but ordinary. Born the son of a riverboat captain along the winding Mississippi, Conway experienced a Mark Twain–like childhood before rising from a small home in a cotton field to building a fantastical world for fans at his own residence, complete with Christmas magic for children along “Santa Claus Lane.”
Even as a teen, Conway had his own radio show and displayed extraordinary athletic talent, earning offers from a major league baseball team. Later, he became a champion for youth sports and participated in countless charitable events. In 1956, carrying an Elvis Presley record set the stage for his first fame as a teen idol in rock and roll.
Yet Conway’s true love was country music. By 1970, he had teamed up with Loretta Lynn to form one of the most successful duets in country history. George Jones, speaking from the heart, recalled, “This man is very special to me and one of my best friends. I’ve been a fan since his rock and roll days, and in over 20 years as singing partners, we’ve never had a quarrel. If anyone ever deserved this award, it’s Conway Twitty. He made his mark in both rock and country music.”
Conway Twitty’s achievements were staggering: over 50 number-one records, hundreds of concerts a year, hosting the annual Country Explosion event, and consistently handpicking hits that delighted fans. By 1988, he had amassed a total of 53 chart-toppers, a record few could ever match.
When Conway finally received the Living Legend Award, the audience erupted in applause. He thanked his mother in the crowd, his peers, and the fans, saying, “I love you all,” in a heartfelt moment that captured the warmth and gratitude of a man whose life had touched so many.
Conway Twitty wasn’t just celebrating the past—he was a modern legend, still promising that the best was yet to come.