George was honored at Wednesday's award show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award ... with Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Parker McCollum and Jamey Johnson tipping their cowboy hats with a tribute performance.

The gang played one of George's biggest hits, "Troubadour" ... and the crowd gave him a standing ovation when he grabbed the mic.

Jamey joined the tribute only days after being arrested in nearby Williamson County, TN for drug possession and speeding. He's written songs over the years for George and Willie ... so he wasn't going to miss this.

George joked during his acceptance speech the tribute covers of his songs were so good he was glad he was old enough to be able to record them first. 😆

Past winners of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include ... Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Kris Kristofferson and Willie himself.