James has won 7 Country Music Awards. Here is a list of his nominations and awards. The * indicates the winner.
1968 Best Lead Guitar
Al Bruno
Glen Campbell
James Burton
*Jimmy Bryant
Phil Baugh
1969 Best Lead Guitar
*Al Bruno
Don Rich
James Burton
Jimmy Bryant
Phil Baugh
Roy Clark
Roy Nichols
1970 Lead Guitar
*Al Bruno
Chet Atkins
James Burton
Jerry Reed
Roy Clark
1972 Lead Guitar
*Al Bruno
Don Rich
Harold Bradley
James Burton
Roy Nichols
1973 Lead Guitar
*Al Bruno
Danny Michaels
Don Rich
James Burton
Roy Nichols
1974 Lead Guitar
*Al Bruno
Danny Michaels
Dave Thornhill
Grady Martin
James Burton
1975 Lead Guitar
Al Bruno
Danny Michaels
James Burton
Johnny Blankenship
Ronnie Truhett
*Russ Hansen
1976 Lead Guitar
Al Bruno
*Danny Michaels
James Burton
John Blankenship
Russ Hansen
1977 Guitar
Al Bruno
Chet Atkins
Danny Michaels
Dave Thornhill
Hershel Witt
James Burton
Lee Feltner
*Roy Clark
1978 Guitar
Al Bruno
Billy Walker
Dave Thornhill
*James Burton
Johnny Blakenship
1979 Guitar
*Al Bruno
Billy Walker
Dan Miller
Jack Daniels
James Burton
1980 Best Guitar
*Al Bruno
James Burton
Johnny Blankenship
Reggie Young
Thumbs Carlisle
1981 Guitar
Grady Martin
Phil Bauch
Roy Nichols
Thumbs Carlisle
*James Burton
1982 Guitar
*Al Bruno
Billy Walker
James Burton
Reggie Young
Thumbs Carlisle
1982 Speciality Instrument
*James Burton – dobro
Neil LeVang – mandolin
Don Markham – saxophone
Charlie McCoy – harmonica
Terry McMillian – harmonica
1983 Guitar
Al Bruno
Billy Walker
James Burton
Johnny Blankenship
*Reggie Young
1983 Speciality Instrument
*Charlie McCoy
James Burton
Jerry Douglas
Larry McNeely
Tiny Moore
1984 Guitar
Al Bruno
Chet Atkins
Danny Michaels
*James Burton
Johnny Blankenship
1985 Guitar
Al Bruno
Billy Walker
Bret Rowan
Chet Atkins
Danny Michaels
Jack Daniels
*James Burton
1985 Speciality Instrument
Carl Jackson – banjo
*James Burton – dobro
Jerry Douglas – dobro
Ricky Skaggs – mandolin
Charlie McCoy – harmonica
1986 Speciality Instrument
Max McGuire – banjo
*James Burton – dobro
Jerry Douglas – dobro
Charlie McCoy – harmonica
Ricky Skaggs – mandolin
Jerry McKinney – saxophone