History
CMA’s SRO (Standing Room Only) event started in 1972, when CMA held a seminar to present Country Music talent to fair managers from across the United States and Canada. Bringing together talent buyers, concert promoters, artists, support services, venues, and many other members of the Country Music community, this International Entertainment Expo honored and celebrated the live entertainment industry and its leaders.
Originally known as the Annual Fair Buyers Seminar, the three-day event held a number of titles including Talent Buyers Seminar (1974-1984) and Talent Buyers Entertainment Marketplace (1985-1989), eventually becoming SRO in 1990.
In 1985, the first-ever SRO Award was presented to talent buyer, Harry A. “Hap” Peebles, of Harry Peebles Agency in Kansas City. Continuing through the ‘80s and much of the ‘90s, CMA presented dozens of SRO Awards in more than 15 categories to honor the outstanding achievements of Country artists and touring industry leaders, including venues, clubs, agencies, publicists and service companies.
After 15 years, the SRO Awards return in 2012 to celebrate the Country Music touring industry and the people who continue to promote and sustain America’s favorite live entertainment format!
See past SRO winner archive
2013 Nominees
BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Jamie Cheek – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Duane Clark – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Dwight Wiles – Smith, Wiles Co., P.C.
COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Kelley Beck – Blake Shelton
Caleb Garrett – Kenny Chesney
Tim Olson – Toby Keith
FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Greg Huffman – Jake Owen
Jeff Parsons – Blake Shelton
David Payne – Taylor Swift
LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Trevor Ahlstrand – Martina McBride
Paul Normandale – Hunter Hayes
Steve Richards – Taylor Swift
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Robert Allen – 13 Management
Narvel Blackstock – Starstruck Entertainment
Clint Higham – Morris Artists Management
TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Kevin Canady – Blake Shelton
Greg Fowler – Jake Owen
Erica Worden – Taylor Swift
MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Brad Baisley – Blake Shelton
Jordan Kolenc – Taylor Swift
Evan Richner – Jason Aldean
PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Arthur Kemish – Taylor Swift
Meesha Kosciolek – Martina McBride
Art Rich – Blake Shelton
PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Paula Erickson – Erickson Public Relations
Mary Hilliard Harrington – The GreenRoom
Ebie McFarland – Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Rob Beckham – William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC
Rod Essig – Creative Artist Agency
Jay Williams – William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC
TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Louis Messina – The Messina Group
Brian O'Connell – Live Nation
Debra Rathwell – AEG Live
TOUR CATERER OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering
TaDa! Catering
TourCats Catering
TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
David Cook – Taylor Swift – Keyboard
Robby Emerson – Jake Owen – Bass
Steve Sinatra – Hunter Hayes – Drums
VENUE OF THE YEAR
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tenn.
Joe's Bar – Chicago, Ill.
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tenn.
TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jay Cooper – Kenny Chesney
Olivier Goulet – Taylor Swift
Michael Tinsley – Taylor Swift