Organization
Industry Recognition
Many view CMA and the CMA Awards as one in the same. Since its founding in 1958, however, the Country Music Association has become a viable force in recognizing excellence in the field of Country Music through a wide array of awards vehicles. In addition to the popular CMA Awards, we present the following awards to individuals and organizations displaying excellence in our industry.
Chairman's Award of Merit
Created in 2005 to honor outstanding careers and contributions to
Country Music.
CMA Board President's Award
This award, given at the discretion of the incumbent CMA Board Presidetn, is
not an annual award, but given when the president feels an individual or individuals,
through outstanding service to CMA, merits the recognition.
CMA Close Up Award of Merit
The Award was created in 2007 to honor the student who demonstrated the most
creativity, dedication, and promise in covering the CMA Music Festival on assignment
from CMA. Candidates for the CMA Close Up Award of Merit are chosen based on
recommendations from department heads in Journalism or equivalent programs
at universities and colleges in central Tennessee. The final team of five reporters
cover all aspects of CMA Music Festival under direction from the Editor of
CMA Close Up.
Connie B. Gay Award
This award, named after the Founding President of the CMA Board of
Directors, was established in 1963. The Award is given in recognition
of that person (or persons) not currnetly serving as an officer
or director of the CMA Board, and who, in the Board's opinion,
has rendered the most outstanding service to the Country Music
Association in the current year.
Country Music Hall of Fame
The Board of Directors of CMA established the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961
to immortalize Country Music’s greatest contributors. The building that
houses the Hall of Fame and Museum was erected in 1967. Since 1967, the Country
Music Foundation has operated the first-class facility, which has been called "America’s
favorite music museum." CMA continues to conduct the annual selections
and inductions into the Hall of Fame. The official inductions are made each
year on the CMA Awards.
Global Country Artist Award
Recognizes outstanding achievements by a Country Music artist -- originally signed
outside of the United States - in both furthering the popularity of Country
Music and bringing attention to the Country Music format in their foreign based
territory.
International Artist Achievement Award
Formerly the International Touring Artist Award, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by a US based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the United States. The award is intended to be presented prior to the beginning of the CMA Awards so that it can be given in front of the industry audience and taped for the International edit. If this is not possible it will be presented at an appropriate place and time. The award does not have to be presented annually.
International Country Broadcaster Award
Recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions for the development of Country Music in their country. Usually up to three recipients may be named in any year, but no more than two from one country in one year. The award does not have to be presented annually.
Irving Waugh Award of Excellence
In 1983, this award was inaugurated by the Board of Directors and was presented that year to the man for whom it was named –
Irving Waugh. The prestigious award was not again presented until 1987, when Frances Preston was honored. In 1991, retiring CMA executive director Jo Walker-Meador became the third recipient of the award, which is intended to highlight lifetime singular achievements having profound impact
on the state of the industry.
Jo Walker-Meador International Award
Recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting Country Music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States. Media Executives would be eligible if their involvement reached outside of their primary role, otherwise their eligibility for the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award would exclude them. The award will be presented at CMA’s annual membership meeting, or at another appropriate place and time. The award does not have to be presented annually. The last International Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year Award was presented in 1997. The award is now combined with the Jo Walker Meador International Award.
Joe Talbot Award
This award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership
and contributions to the preservation and advancement of Country Music's
values and tradition. The award may be presented to a person (living
or deceased) in recognition of an initiative or long-term contribution
deemed to qualify by the CMA Board of Directors.
Media Achievement Award
Established in 1982, the CMA Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding
achievements in the media as they relate to Country Music. Print and
Internet journalists; columnists; authors; editors; television writers,
producers and bookers; and syndicated radio reporters are eligible
to win this award. The award is voted on by the publicist members of
CMA.
Number 1 Recognition
CMA awards a certificate of recognition to all composer members who have attained
a number-one song on the Country singles chart from BILLBOARD, RADIO & RECORDS
and the GAVIN REPORT.
Triple Play Awards
Initiated by CMA in 1991, the Triple Play Awards recognize CMA composer members
who have attained three number-one songs within a 12-month period, based on
the Country singles charts from BILLBOARD, COUNTRY AIRCHECK and MUSIC ROW.
Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award
Recognizes outstanding achievements in the media, which contribute to the development of Country Music outside the United States. Radio, TV, print journalists, authors, editors, television writers, producers and PR companies who reside outside the United States are eligible to win this award. The award will be presented at CMA’s annual membership meeting, or at another appropriate place and time. The award does not have to be presented annually.
CMA Awards Categories are found in CMA Awards section of the site