News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 3, 2007
LONGTIME CMA AWARDS PRODUCER WALTER C. MILLER RECEIVES CMA PRESIDENT’S AWARD
NASHVILLE – During today’s CMA Board of Directors meetings (Oct. 3-4), the organization’s president Clarence Spalding surprised longtime CMA Awards producer Walter C. Miller by presenting him with the CMA President’s Award, which is awarded annually at the discretion of the President of the Board. Spalding praised the personal sacrifice, creativity and dedication that Miller has demonstrated during his 37-year stewardship of the CMA Awards broadcast.
“Walter’s contributions to the CMA Awards can be felt in every detail and second of the program. He has dedicated himself to delivering an Awards broadcast that reflects the best of our industry and the artists. He cares deeply and protects the prestige of the program absolutely,” Spalding said.
“I suppose ‘thank you’ is enough,” said a stunned Miller, “because once you turn me on, you can’t turn me off.” Known for his dry wit and sarcastic humor, he quickly added, “If I had a heart, I’d cry.”
Miller began his association with the CMA Awards in 1970 and through the years, he has contributed to the careers of Country Music’s biggest luminaries – from Johnny Cash to Vince Gill, Dixie Chicks to Dolly Parton. Along the way, he has created indelible television in the name of Country Music. He was named Executive Producer of the CMA Awards in 2005.
In addition to a 37-year relationship with the CMA Awards, Miller’s credits include the Grammy Awards, the People’s Choice Awards, “A Capitol Fourth,” a longtime turn with the Tony Awards (which yielded a pair of Emmys), “Comic Relief,” and specials for such stars as George Burns, John Denver, Bob Hope, Sam Kinison, Barbra Streisand, and Andy Williams. Miller’s many accolades include three Directors Guild Awards, two Peabody Awards, five Emmy Awards and 20 Emmy nominations.
“Walter respects the traditions and protects the roots of Country Music while keeping a keen ear and eye focused on our future,” said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. “A sense of humor, a passion for creativity and a deep love of music is at the heart of what Walter creates each year for the CMA Awards.”
After nearly four decades, Miller knows Nashville’s creative heartbeat as well as anyone. He created a setting suitable for Country’s Mount Rushmore of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. He gave Mary Chapin Carpenter her big break, singing about the indignities of being the “Opening Act.” When the nation needed help healing after the September 11th terrorist attacks, he programmed Alan Jackson’s hushed performance of “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).”
Whatever unique, timely element Country Music had to offer in any year, Miller inevitably recognized it and made it part of the CMA Awards in an appropriate and meaningful way.
“The 41st Annual CMA Awards” will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“The 41st Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Miller is the Executive Producer and Robert Deaton is the Producer. Paul Miller is the Director.
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For information about CMA and the CMA Awards visit CMAworld.com or CMAawards.com.