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The Country Music Association, the premier trade organization supporting professionals within the Country Music industry, presented industry honors during the CMA Touring Awards last night at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. Hosted by Keith Urban, the evening celebrated the top touring professionals in Country Music. With the touring sector being the largest category of CMA membership, the event celebrated a historic year of touring for the genre. The evening was star-studded, as Country artists Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson and members of Old Dominion all came out to support their nominated crews. Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show Tour” crew took home the night’s highest honor, Crew of the Year, which recognizes the crew that has exemplified outstanding professionalism, skills, teamwork, hospitality, innovation and excellence in all aspects of their work while demonstrating the most heart and spirit on the road and making the biggest overall contribution to elevating Country Music. The late Ron Baird, former agent and head of CAA’s Nashville office, was also posthumously honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. Marc Dennis, agent and co-head of CAA’s Nashville office as well as Baird’s stepson, accepted the honor on behalf of Baird. The award is given to an individual who has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of touring throughout the years. It honors an individual that has proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on Country Music fans and the industry alike, and whose presence will have a long-term positive impact on Country Music and CMA for generations to come. Baird is one of only six people to have ever received this honor. Additionally, during the ceremony, CMA unveiled its new Touring Mentorship Program. The program, intended for early-career touring professionals, was designed by industry veterans who recognize the importance of equipping and supporting the next generation. The Touring Mentorship Program will cover seven key roles in the touring industry: Tour Manager, Band Leader/Musician, Production Manager, Production Assistant, Front of House Engineer, Monitor Engineer and Lighting Director/Designer. As part of the six-month program, participants will engage in monthly mentor and mentee meetings and gain access to opportunities for shadowing and projects in the field. The program comes as a result of CMA’s continued dedication to the growth and well-being of the touring community in Country and beyond. Winners in 20 categories were determined by current professional voting members of CMA in the Affiliated, Artist, Composer, Entertainment Services, Musician, Personal Manager, Record Company, Talent Agent, Advertising/Marketing/ |
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The 2023 CMA Touring Awards winners are as follows: CATEGORY 1 – CREW OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 2 – BACKLINE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 3 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 4 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 5 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 6 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 7 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 8 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 9 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 10 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 11 – STAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 12 – SUPPORT SERVICES COMPANY OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 13 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 14 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 15 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 16 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 17 – TOUR VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 18 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 19 – VENUE OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 20 – UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR |
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About the CMA Touring Awards About the Country Music Association |
