State of the Economy and Personal Finances; Credit Card Usage; Financial Services and Advice; and Insurance Providers and Motivators Among Survey Topics As part of its ongoing research and membership services initiatives, the Country Music Association announced today results from its February 2012 finances study. Although they have not escaped the impact of the economic challenges in recent years, Country Music fans are looking favorably toward the future with 84% ... Read more

19 Recordings/BNA Records artist Casey James performed at the CMA EDU End of Year Party last night in the CMA Atrium with students in attendance from Belmont University, Lipscomb University, and Middle Tennessee State University. CMA EDU, CMA's education-based college initiative, is designed to reach and engage undergraduate college students with a hands-on opportunity to enhance their skills in marketing and promotion. With the support of CMA and the Country ... Read more

Twenty-Two Artists to Perform in Nashville on June 4-5 Legendary Gene Watson to Perform Duet with Ireland’s Lisa McHugh Twenty-two Country artists representing five different countries and territories have been announced for the 2012 Global Events showcases, held June 4-5 during 2012 CMA Music Festival week in downtown Nashville, Tenn. “Chevrolet Presents The CMA Global Artist Party” will be held Monday, June 4 (6:00–10:45 PM/CDT) at The Stage on Broadway. ... Read more

The Country Music Association has announced the hiring of two new employees. CMA was the first trade group formed to promote a single genre of music in 1958.   Karen Stump joins the organization as Senior Director, Market Research. In this position, Stump will lead and manage a broad range of research initiatives. She will develop research projects and services that will provide relevant, reliable, and timely consumer information to ... Read more

The legendary Glen Campbell, Ronnie Milsap, and Kenny Rogers, and reunited multi-Platinum certified group The Mavericks have joined the performer lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field held during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, in downtown Nashville, and will once again be filmed for an ABC television special to air in late summer. Campbell will deliver the opening performance on the ... Read more

Reflecting the wide range of artists who perform at CMA Music Festival, the lineup for the Chevrolet™ Riverfront Stage includes a collection of past, present, and future superstar artists. The 2012 CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10, in downtown Nashville. The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is free and open to the public. The performances on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage will kick-off on Thursday, June 7 at 10:00 AM/CDT ... Read more

Hunter Hayes, Martina McBride, and Jake Owen Added to Performance Lineup The Nightly Concerts at LP Field during CMA Music Festival are the best way to enjoy performances from today's hottest Country Music artists at an unbeatable price, creating an outstanding value for fans and families wanting to enjoy a great night of entertainment during Nashville's signature music event. 2012 CMA Music Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, ... Read more

With the 2012 CMA Music Festival right around the corner, CMA is looking for the best and brightest volunteers to lend a hand during the four-day event, held Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, in Downtown Nashville.   Anyone interested in volunteering can attend the CMA Volunteer Fair on Thursday, April 12 (from 4:30-7:30 PM/CT) or Saturday, April 14 (from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM/CT) at the CMA office at One ... Read more

The CMA Show, held Tuesday, March 27 during NSAI's 20th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, was a huge success. The sold out Hard Rock Cafe event featured songwriter Jim Beavers, Capitol Records Nashville recording artist and CMA Board member Luke Bryan, songwriter and CMA Board member Bob DiPiero, and songwriter Jeff Stevens. Read more

HUNTER VALLEY, AUSTRALIA -- Dierks Bentley surprised Felicity Urquhart backstage before his performance at the CMC Rocks the Hunter Festival on March 17, when he presented her with the 2011 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award. CMA Board member Rob Potts, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, and GAC's "Headline Country" host/executive producer Storme Warren were both on hand for the presentation.   Urquhart was selected as the Award recipient in ... Read more

RCA recording artist Chris Young and songwriter Luke Laird celebrated their recent co-written No. 1 hit "You" during a party held in the CMA Atrium yesterday. The soiree marked the first industry event held in the newly renovated space. "We're thrilled that Chris and Luke decided to share their celebration with us," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. "We updated our Atrium so we could play host to more ... Read more

Cable and Satellite Television, Internet Connectivity, Cell Phone Use and Ownership, And Tablet PC Adoption Among Survey Topics     As part of its ongoing research and membership-services initiatives, the Country Music Association announced today results from its recent Telecommunication Study. From smart phones to high-speed Internet connections to tablet adoption, the Country fan is eagerly embracing new technology to stay connected with family and friends, as well as to ... Read more

Al Anderson, Phil Vassar, and Craig Wiseman Join Host Bob DiPiero The CMA Songwriters Series returns once again to New York City's Joe's Pub on Wednesday, May 9 (6:30 and 9:00 PM/ET). Tickets for this popular series go on sale today.   Featuring two-time CMA Award nominee Phil Vassar, the CMA Songwriters Series allows music fans insight into the stories behind some of their favorite songs.   "These Songwriter Series ... Read more

The Country Music Association hosted its first CMA Membership Roundtable and Discussion today at the Hilton Downtown Nashville. CMA members were treated to lunch and had the opportunity to hear about the organization's initiatives for 2012 including the revival of the SRO Awards, CMA's "Year of Country Radio," and healthcare benefits that are available to the association's constituents. Read more

CMA's popular touring industry honors known as the SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards return in 2012, CMA announced today at a Membership Roundtable Discussion at the Hilton Hotel in Nashville.   "Following the recent success of the inaugural CMA Touring Musician Award in 2011, the CMA Board felt that the SRO Awards in their entirety should be reintroduced in 2012," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore.  "The touring industry ... Read more

Bigger Picture Music Group's Craig Campbell visited the Country Music Association this afternoon to perform for the staff. Read more

Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Alan Jackson, Scotty McCreery, and reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton have joined the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event that USA Today calls "the crown jewel of Country Music festivals" will once again take over downtown Nashville for four days this summer, Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10, 2012.  Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke ... Read more

The Country Music Association announced today that Garth Brooks, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, and Connie Smith will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. The announcement was made by Kix Brooks this morning during a private press event in the Rotunda of the Country Music Hall of Fame. All three inductees were on hand for the announcement. Kix Brooks also moderated a panel with the inductees ... Read more

The Country Music Association announced today that Garth Brooks, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, and Connie Smith will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame.   Brooks will be inducted in the "Modern Era Artist" category, while Smith will be inducted in the "Veterans Era Artist" category. Robbins will be inducted in the "Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980" category, which is awarded every third ... Read more

The Country Music Association announced today that Garth Brooks, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, and Connie Smith will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. Brooks will be inducted in the “Modern Era Artist” category, while Smith will be inducted in the “Veterans Era Artist” category. Robbins will be inducted in the “Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980” category, which is awarded every third year ... Read more