CMA ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2023 CMA TOURING AWARDS

 

The Country Music Association has revealed the name of the nominees for the 2023 CMA Touring Awards, showcasing those necessary and important behind-the-scenes workers of the country music touring industry. Voted on by CMA members, the winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony on Feb. 12, hosted by Keith Urban.

“Honoring our touring community is something I look forward to every year. Each time I attend a show, hear a new tour being announced or see footage from an unforgettable night, I am reminded again of the importance, dedication and resilience of our touring community. I am also especially excited to add five additional categories this year, including a Crew of the Year honor. They are the road warriors that keep country music alive all over the world, and I can’t wait to celebrate them on Feb. 12!”

- Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

This years awards include 5 new categories: Backline Technician, Stage Manager, Support Services Company, Unsung Hero and Crew of the Year. 

The final round of voting for the 2023 CMA Touring Awards begins on Wednesday, Dec. 13 and ends on Thursday, Dec. 28.

Here are this year's nominees. Congratulations and good luck to all!

CREW OF THE YEAR

• “All American Road Show Tour” Crew – Chris Stapleton
• “The Outsiders Revival Tour” Crew – Eric Church
• “I Go Back Tour” Crew – Kenny Chesney
• “Country On Tour” Crew – Luke Bryan
• “2023 World Tour” Crew – Luke Combs
• “One Night At A Time World Tour” Crew – Morgan Wallen
• “No Bad Vibes Tour” Crew – Old Dominion
• “Home Team Tour 23” Crew – Thomas Rhett

BACKLINE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jason Baskin – Zac Brown Band
• Melvin “Melvis” Fults – Kenny Chesney
• Carlos Gutierrez – Dierks Bentley
• Jason Herndon – Blake Shelton
• Joel “Tico” Jimenez – Thomas Rhett
• Jeremiah Langdon – Jelly Roll
• Chris Miller – Keith Urban
• Zach Rickard – Brothers Osborne

BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Renee Allen – Arnie Barn, Inc.
• David Boyer – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
• Duane Clark – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
• Catherine Morris – Farris, Self & Moore, LLC
• Caleb See – Curo Financial, LLC
• Michael Vaden – Vaden Group/Elliott Davis
• Kris Wiatr – Wiatr & Associates, LLC

COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR

• Ronnie Brown – Zac Brown Band
• Josh Easter – Morgan Wallen
• Rhett Evens – Thomas Rhett
• Caleb Garrett – Luke Bryan
• Justin Pullin – Old Dominion
• Erin Siegfried – Lainey Wilson
• Chris Simms – Jelly Roll
• Wayne “Wayno” Sullivan – Blake Shelton/Keith Urban

FRONT OF HOUSE ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

• Brendan Hines – Jelly Roll
• Aaron Lain – Morgan Wallen
• Todd Lewis – Luke Combs
• Ben Rigby – Eric Church
• Arpad Sayko – Chris Stapleton
• Trey Smith – Thomas Rhett
• Ian Zorbaugh – Old Dominion

LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

• Zac Coren – Morgan Wallen
• Philip Ealy – Kenny Chesney
• Kevin Lichty – Old Dominion
• Mac Mosier – Chris Stapleton
• Kevin Northrup – Luke Combs
• Taylor Price – Miranda Lambert
• Austin Strain – Jelly Roll
• Alec Takahashi – Thomas Rhett

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Narvel Blackstock – Starstruck Entertainment
• Virginia Bunetta – G-Major Management
• Martha Earls – Neon Coast
• Kerri Edwards – KP Entertainment
• Clint Higham – Morris Higham Management
• Marion Kraft – ShopKeeper Management
• Mandelyn Monchick – Red Light Management
• John Peets – Q Prime South

MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

• Bryan “Opie” Baxley – Kenny Chesney
• Mark Davis – Jelly Roll
• Logan Hanna – Brothers Osborne
• Andy Hill – Zac Brown Band
• Nathan Lowe – Eric Church
• Jimmy Nicholson – Thomas Rhett
• Dean Studebaker – Old Dominion
• Scott Tatter – Dierks Bentley

PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Chris Alderman – Blake Shelton
• John Garriott – Chris Stapleton
• Meesha Kosciolek – Eric Church
• Erik Leighty – Miranda Lambert
• Chris Nathan – Jake Owen
• Earl Neal – Jason Aldean
• Kevin Twist – Thomas Rhett
• Ed Wannebo – Kenny Chesney

PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR

• Janet Buck – Essential Broadcast Media
• Paul Freundlich – PFA Media
• Quinn Kaemmer – Big Machine Label Group
• Tyne Parrish – The GreenRoom PR
• Carla Sacks – Sacks & Co.
• Jessie Schmidt – Schmidt Public Relations
• Wes Vause – Press On Publicity
• Jennifer Vessio – 1220 Entertainment Publicity

STAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Sam “Sambo” Coats – Eric Church
• Donnie Floyd – Morgan Wallen
• Todd Green – Chris Stapleton
• Matt Hornbeck – Luke Combs
• Josh “Dude” Marcus – Jason Aldean
• Tom Nisun – Kenny Chesney
• Richard Rossey – Old Dominion
• Justin Sumrall – Thomas Rhett

SUPPORT SERVICES COMPANY OF THE YEAR

• 4 Wall Entertainment
• Clair Global
• Dega Catering
• Master Tour by Eventric
• Moo TV
• Richards & Southern

TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR

• Meredith Jones – CAA
• Joey Lee – WME
• Jonathan Levine – Wasserman Music
• Darin Murphy – CAA
• Adi Sharma – The Neal Agency
• Aaron Tannenbaum – WME
• Elisa Vazzana – UTA
• Jay Williams – WME

TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

• Bradley Jordan – Peachtree Entertainment
• Patrick McDill – Live Nation Nashville
• Louis Messina – The Messina Group
• Rich Schaefer – AEG Presents
• Aaron Spalding – Live Nation Nashville
• Ed Warm – Joe’s Concerts
• Adam Weiser – AEG Presents

TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Matt Anderson – Old Dominion
• Jason Hecht – Chris Stapleton
• Luke Holton – Brothers Osborne
• Chuck Hull – Keith Urban
• Meg Miller – Lainey Wilson
• Ethan Strunk – Luke Combs
• Chris Thacker – Dierks Bentley
• Jon Townley – Thomas Rhett

TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Rob Byus (Bass Guitar) – Blake Shelton
• Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar) – Chris Stapleton/Vince Gill
• Ben Helson (Guitar) – Dierks Bentley
• Lee Hendricks (Bass Guitar) – Eric Church
• Harmoni Kelley (Bass Guitar) – Kenny Chesney
• Chris Kimmerer (Drums) – Thomas Rhett
• Danny Mitchell (Piano) – Miranda Lambert
• Kurt Ozan (Guitar) – Luke Combs

TOUR VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

• Mason Allen – Old Dominion
• Andy Barron – Chris Stapleton
• Zach Belcher – Dierks Bentley
• David Bergman – Luke Combs
• CeCe Dawson – Lainey Wilson
• Tanner Gallagher – HARDY
• Grayson Gregory – Thomas Rhett
• Andy Pollitt – Jelly Roll

TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

• Josh Clark – Miranda Lambert
• Jay Cooper – Kenny Chesney
• Houston Creswell – Dierks Bentley
• Ron Etters – Chris Stapleton
• Nate Fountain – Zach Bryan/Blake Shelton
• Chris Jones – Jelly Roll
• Ricky Krohne – Thomas Rhett
• Michael Todd “M.T.” Stembridge – Eric Church

VENUE OF THE YEAR

• Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, Tennessee
• BankNH Pavilion – Gilford, New Hampshire
• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tennessee
• Choctaw Casino Resort – Durant, Oklahoma
• Grand Ole Opry House – Nashville, Tennessee
• Joe’s on Weed Street – Chicago, Illinois
• Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colorado

UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR

Dallas Bowsier – Eric Church

Josh Castle – Dierks Bentley

RJ Estrella – Luke Combs

Kayla Carter Greear – Luke Bryan

Kelsey Maynard – Old Dominion

Todd Molle – Jake Owen

Mel Murphy – Live Nation Nashville

Tyler Rhodes – Thomas Rhett

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED - 57TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS - FULL LIST

Nominees have been announced for all categories for the 57th Annual CMA Awards which will be televised on Nov. 8 on ABC.

Broadcast Personality

Weekly National

• American Country Countdown; Kix Brooks; Westwood One
• Country Countdown USA; Lon Helton; Compass
• Honky Tonkin'; Tracy Lawrence; Silverfish
• On The Horizon; Buzz Brainard; SiriusXM
• Y'all Access; Kelly Sutton; Firefly/Silverfish

Daily National

• Angie Ward; iHeartMedia
• The Big D & Bubba Show; Derek Haskins, Sean Powell, Patrick Thomas and Carsen Humphreville; Silverfish
• Katie & Company; Katie Neal; Audacy
• Nights With Elaina; Elaina Smith; Westwood One
• The Sam Alex Show; Sam Alex; Sam Alex Productions, LLC

Major Market

• Chris Carr And Company; Chris Carr, Kia Becht and Sam Sansevere; KEEY/Minneapolis
• Frito & Katy; Tucker "Frito" Young and Katy Dempsey; KCYY/San Antonio
• Hawkeye In The Morning; Mark "Hawkeye" Louis and Michelle Rodriguez; KSCS/Dallas
• Josh, Rachael & Grunwald; Josh Holleman, Rachael Hunter and Steve Grunwald; WYCD/Detroit
• Scotty Kay; WUSN/Chicago

Large Market

• The Big Dave Show; "Big Dave" Chandler, Ashley Heiert and Jason "Stattman" Statt; WUBE/Cincinnati
• The Morning Drive; Mike Kellar and Jenny Matthews; KBEQ/Kansas City
• Scott & Shannen; Scott Dolphin and "Shannen O" Oseterreich; WMIL/Milwaukee
• Tim & Chelsea In The Morning; Tim Leary and Chelsea Taylor; WIRK/West Palm Beach
• The Wayne D Show; "Wayne D" Danielson and Tay Hamilton; WSIX/Nashville

Medium Market

• Cait & Bradley Morning Show; Cait Fisher and Matt Bradley; KWEN/Tulsa
• Clay & Company; Clay Moden, Rob Banks and Kadie Daye; WYRK/Buffalo
• Ellis and Bradley Show; Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley; WSSL/Greenville, SC
• Mo & Styckman; Melissa "Mo" Wagner and Greg "Styckman" Owens; WUSY/Chattanooga
• Steve & Gina In The Morning; Steve Lundy and Gina Melton; KXKT/Omaha

Small Market

• The B100 Morning Show; Brittney Baily; WBYT/South Bend, IN
• The Eddie Foxx Show; Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx; WKSF/Asheville, NC
• Officer Don & DeAnn; "Officer Don" Evans and DeAnn Stephens; WBUL/Lexington, KY
• Steve & Tiffany In The Morning; Steve Waters and Tiffany Kay; WFLS/Fredericksburg, VA
• Steve, Ben and Nikki; Steve Stroud, Ben Walker and Nikki Thomas; WXBQ/Bristol

Radio Stations

Major Market

• KCYY/San Antonio
• KEEY/Minneapolis
• KKBQ/Houston
• KSCS/Dallas
• WXTU/Philadelphia

Large Market

• WIRK/West Palm Beach
• WKDF/Nashville
• WMIL/Milwaukee
• WUBE/Cincinnati
• WWKA/Orlando

Medium Market

• KUZZ/Bakersfield
• KXKT/Omaha
• WGGY/Wilkes Barre
• WPCV/Lakeland
• WQMX/Akron

Small Market

• KCLR/Columbia, MO
• WBYT/South Bend, IN
• WKML/Fayetteville, NC
• WXBQ/Johnson City, TN
• WYCT/Pensacola, FL

ARTIST NOMINEES

Entertainer

• Luke Combs
• Chris Stapleton
• Carrie Underwood
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

Female

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Carly Pearce
• Lainey Wilson

Male

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen

Group

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Zac Brown Band

Duo

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Maddie & Tae
• The War And Treaty

Single

• "Fast Car"; Luke Combs; Producer: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathon Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
• "Heart Like A Truck"; Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• "Need A Favor"; Jelly Roll; Producer: Austin Nivarel; Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun
• "Next Thing You Know"; Jordan Davis; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
• “Wait In The Truck"; Hardy f/Lainey Wilson; Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells; Mix Engineer: Joey Moi

Album

• Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville; Producers: John Osborne, John Peets; Mix Engineers: Gena Johnson, John Osborne
• Bell Bottom Country; Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• Gettin' Old; Luke Combs; Producers Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
• One Thing At A Time; Morgan Wallen Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery Mix Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland
• Rolling Up the Welcome Mat; Kelsea Ballerini Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Mix Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym

Song

• “Fast Car”; Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
• “Heart Like A Truck”; Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
• “Next Thing You Know”; Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
• “Tennessee Orange”; Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
• “Wait In The Truck"; Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt

Event

• “Save Me”; Jelly Roll w/Lainey Wilson; Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens
• “She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina; Producer: Zach Crowell
• “Thank God”; Kane Brown w/Katelyn Brown; Producer: Dann Huff
• “Wait In The Truck”; Hardy f/Lainey Wilson; Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
• “We Don't Fight Anymore”; Carly Pearce f/Chris Stapleton; Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce

Musician

• Jenee Fleenor
• Paul Franklin
• Rob McNelley
• Derek Wells
• Charlie Worsham

Video

• “Light On In The Kitchen”; Ashley McBryde; Director: Reid Long
• “Memory Lane”; Old Dominion; Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher
• “Need A Favor”; Jelly Roll; Director: Patrick Tohill
• “Next Thing You Know”; Jordan Davis; Director: Running Bear
• “Wait In The Truck”; Hardy f/Lainey Wilson; Director: Justin Clough

New Artist

• Zach Bryan
• Jelly Roll
• Parker McCollum
• Megan Moroney
• Hailey Whitters

#COUNTRYGIVESBACK - CMA TEAMS WITH MUSICALLY FED TO GIVE TO LIVE MUSIC AND INDUSTRY WORKERS IN NEED

The CMA is hosting a donation drive to benefit Musically Fed March 15-19 as part of its ongoing Music Industry Covid Support (MICS) initiative. Non-perishable food and personal care products can be dropped off in the alley behind CMA’s offices from 10am-2pm CT. 

Musically Fed will be donating the items to live music and event industry workers in need via their scheduled car drive-thrus. 

Individuals may also purchase goods from Musically Fed’s Amazon Wishlist through March 19 to arrive at CMA during the week of the drive by selecting “Country Music Association, c/o FOOD DRIVE’s Gift registry” as the shipping address.

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH STAR-STUDDED EIGHTH ANNUAL “CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS” AIRING NOV. 27 ON ABC

Country Music’s biggest names kick off the holiday season with “CMA Country Christmas,” airing Monday, Nov. 27 (8-10 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The eighth annual “CMA Country Christmas” returns with first-time host and iconic entertainer Reba McEntire and features two hours of star-studded performances from Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry House by Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, CB30, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, McEntire, CeCe Winans, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Young, in addition to special collaborations by Ballerini and McEntire, Little Big Town and McEntire, and Jackson and Young.

Reba McEntire hosts the eighth annual “CMA Country Christmas” for the first time, airing Monday, Nov. 27 on the ABC Television Network. McEntire performs “Holly Jolly Christmas” and a medley of “O, Come All Ye Faithful” / “O Little Town of Bethlehem” / “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” as well as “Jingle Bells” with Kelsea Ballerini and “Mary, Did You Know?” with Little Big Town. McEntire previously performed during the first-ever “CMA Country Christmas” in 2010.

Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA 

Brett Eldredge performs “Winter Wonderland” and “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” during “CMA Country Christmas,” airing Monday, Nov. 27 on the ABC Television Network. Eldredge returns to “CMA Country Christmas” to perform for a third year.

Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA

For more information, visit CMAChristmas.com and follow us on Twitter at @Countrymusic.

#CMAFEST2016 - FAN FAIR X TICKETS NOW ON SALE

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR FAN FAIR X!

Fan Fair X, located inside Music City Center, is where you can truly live the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience. Discover everything Fan Fair X has to offer from artist meet & greets, celebrity Q&A sessions and autographs to shopping, games and so much more! Fan Fair X is also home to the CMA Close Up Stage!

Tickets to Fan Fair X are available now at CMAfest.com for $10 per day or $25 for a four-day pass. (Fan Fair X admission is included in four-day CMA Music Festival tickets). Four-day passes with general admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum included are also available for $39.95! Visit CountryMusicHallOfFame.org to purchase this special ticket bundle or stop by their box office June 9–12.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/CMA-Music-Festival-tickets/artist/978636

AND THE 2015 CMA AWARDS NOMINEES ARE ....

Screenshot of the Live Announcements

Black River Entertainment's Kelsea Ballerini and Big Machine's Steven Tyler announced the 2015 CMA Awards list of nominees this morning on ABC's "Good Morning America" from Times Square in NYC. Congratulations to all of the nominees, especially Kelsea who is a first time nominee in multiple categories! Our picks for each cateogry are designated below.

* Our Choice
** Will Probably Win

Entertainer of the Year

Garth Brooks *
Luke Bryan **
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert

Album of the Year

Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean
Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves
Pain Killer, Little Big Town **
The Big Revival, Kenny Chesney
Traveller, Chris Stapleton *

Female Vocalist of the Year

Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood **
LeAnn Womack
Kelsea Ballerini *

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church **
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton *

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town * / **
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)

"American Kids" - Kenny Chesney
"Girl Crush" - Little Big Town **
"Like a Cowboy" - Randy Houser *
"Like a Wrecking Ball" - Eric Church
"Take Your Time" - Sam Hunt

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brothers Osborne
Dan and Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie and Tae * / **
Thompson Square

New Artist of the Year

Sam Hunt
Maddie & Tae
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Kelsea Ballerini * / **

Single of the Year

"American Kids" - Kenny Chesney
"Girl Crush" - Little Big Town
"I Don't Dance" - Lee Brice **
"Take Your Time" - Sam Hunt
"Talladega" - Eric Church *

Musical Event of the Year

"Django and Jimmie" - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard *
"Lonely Tonight" - Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe
"Raise 'Em Up" - Keith Urban feat. Eric Church **
"Smokin' and Drinkin'" - Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town
"Wild Child" - Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter

Music Video of the Year

"Biscuits" - Kacey Musgraves
"Girl Crush" - Little Big Town
"Girl in a Country Song" - Maddie & Tae * / **
"Little Red Wagon" - Miranda Lambert
"Something in the Water" - Carrie Underwood

Musician of the Year

Sam Bush
Jerry Douglas
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Mac McAnally * / **

CMA FEST 2015 ANNOUNCES LP FIELD LINEUP

CMA Music Festival announced it's lineup for the LP Field performances for this year's event which takes place June 11-15, 2015. Lots of great entertainment this year! Hope you have your passes because at this time they are SOLD OUT. The four-day tickets are no longer available, but don't sweat it! There will be plenty of music playing around town in addition to LP Field which we'll post as soon as we find out who, when and where!

One of the biggest stages in Country Music, the nightly concerts on the main stage at LP Field feature Country Music’s biggest stars. This year's lineup includes:

ALAN JACKSON -  BRAD PAISLEY -  BRETT ELDREDGE - COLE SWINDELL

DARIUS RUCKER -  DIERKS BENTLEY - ERIC CHURCH - FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

JASON ALDEAN - KEITH URBAN - LADY ANTEBELLUM - LITTLE BIG TOWN

LUKE BRYAN - NEAL MCCOY - RASCAL FLATTS -  SAM HUNT - THE BAND PERRY

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS - THOMAS RHETT - WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE 

ZAC BROWN BAND

  

CMA CLOSE UP: FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE SET NEW BOUNDARIES

By Chuck Dauphin

© 2015 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Florida Georgia Line accept their Vocal Duo of the Year Award at the 2014 CMA Awards.

Photo credit: John Russell

Ask reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Florida Georgia Line about the moment they knew they had something special with their debut single “Cruise,” and Tyler Hubbard says he can pinpoint the time and place.

“I think it was the Country Throwdown Tour in the summer of 2012,” he recalled. “That was a moment where we thought that things were starting to turn for us. People were beginning to recognize who we were. It was then that things really started to spread. Since then, it’s been a crazy ride.”

“Every show we played after releasing that song, things got better and better for our set,” agreed Hubbard’s duo partner, Brian Kelley. “People were buying the EP, our old stuff, and looking up YouTube videos of what we had covered, to make sure they knew that too.”

The Republic Nashville duo enjoyed a similar reaction to their sophomore effort, Anything Goes, which debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 and Top Country Album charts and has been certified Gold. “Everything you hear on the album is something that (producer) Joey Moi brought to the table,” Hubbard insisted. “We call him the Wizard. He understands our dream, our vision and our sound, and who we are and what we represent. If it’s up to us, we’ll never let anyone else touch our music.”

Tyler Hubbard, producer Joey Moi and Brian Kelley.

Photo credit: Jason Mrusek

Scott Borchetta, Founder/President/CEO of Big Machine Label Group, is also essential to the duo’s process. “Any time you have somebody who has been as successful as Scott on multiple levels of the industry, you have to listen to him,” said Kelley. “He gives great advice. His leadership is incredible. His vision is out of this world. When he speaks up with an idea, it’s pretty much greatness that comes from his mouth. He’s so driven and business-savvy. We’ve known that since Day One, and it’s cool to learn as much as we can from him.”

Jimmy Harnen is another important player in the Anything Goes story. “We had the pleasure of listening to it as it was being made,” said the Executive VP/ Big Machine Label Group and President of Republic Nashville. “We heard the demos and the rough mixes. It was always fun to watch as they built the follow-up to a great record. There were so many high points to Anything Goes, but at the same time, it maintains the core of Florida Georgia Line.”

This widening of the FGL sound may be what it takes to build on their already exploding fan base. “It’s amazing to see how music can touch so many people and turn them into Country Music fans,” Hubbard observed. “One of our best compliments is hearing that someone might not have listened to Country Music before we came out, and now they love it. We look forward to the meet-and-greets where we hear their stories. It’s so great to see them out in the crowd, letting loose and having a good time. That’s what we do it for.”

On the Web: www.FloridaGeorgiaLine.com

On Twitter: @FLAGAline

CMA CLOSE UP: CMA SONG OF THE YEAR WINNERS FOLLOW THEIR ARROW

Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves and Brandy Clark share Song of the Year honors at the 2014 CMA Awards.

Photo credit: John Russell

By Jeff Walter

© 2015 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

“Follow Your Arrow” still doesn’t sound like a Country hook to Shane McAnally.

This is despite the fact that McAnally, along with Brandy Clark and Kacey Musgraves, built on those three words to create the song that won Song of the Year honors at the 2014 CMA Awards.

“It sounded more like a pop hook,” said McAnally, who added that Musgraves had asked if she could take it to her friend Katy Perry, the pop and Super Bowl sensation. “It sounded more like a sign or a bumper sticker.”

Truth be told, Country radio appeared to agree, as the song peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. “It’s the lowest-charting single I’ve ever been a part of,” said Musgraves, who recorded it for Same Trailer Different Park, her critically acclaimed major-label debut on Mercury Nashville. “And it’s done more for me.”

“Follow Your Arrow” has touched a lot of people. “Country Music is supposed to be the truth-telling, storytelling format,” Clark observed. “Whether it’s my truth, Shane’s truth, Kacey’s truth or yours, it’s somebody’s truth. It’s great that people recognized that.”

Though “Follow Your Arrow” has been celebrated and condemned for its support of marijuana and same-sex relationships, the writers insist it’s about far more than that. Indeed, Clark and McAnally, the first openly gay artists/writers to receive a CMA Award, express hope that someday such distinctions won’t matter.

“I don’t think we were making some big gay statement or some big drug statement,” said McAnally.

“People try to highlight those parts of the song, but we’re encouraging the other side too,” Musgraves added. “It’s just … “

“Be. Who. You. Are,” McAnally chimed in.

These days, when in Nashville, Clark, McAnally and Musgraves get together for a weekly writing session. With “Follow Your Arrow,” Musgraves showed up with a melody, a hook and a general idea for a song “to encourage people to go with their internal compass.” Her inspiration was an arrow necklace she had given to a friend who was going to Paris for four months. She included a card with a little poem that read “Follow your arrow wherever it points.”

“I thought that would be cool to put in a song,” she said.

It mostly came together in around two hours, with Clark and McAnally helping to shape it and lend it a little more of a narrative feel. They reconvened the next day to write the summarizing bridge: “Say what you think. / Love who you love. / ’Cause you just get so many trips ’round the sun. / Yeah, you only, only live once.”

For Clark, the power of “Follow Your Arrow” continues to unfold on the road. “People tell me what that song has meant to them,” she said, shaking her head in amazement. “I mean, it’s like ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ to some people. It’s really cool to know that we had something to do with maybe someone walking a little taller that day, feeling like, ‘My parents don’t accept me, but I’m OK in my own skin.’”

TYLER BARHAM SIGNS WITH CMA AND IS FEATURED IN LATEST EDITION OF "CLOSE UP"

Barham Included Alongside The Band Perry and Joe Nichols 

in Story Focused on Tips from Artists Who are Maintaining Successful Social Media Platforms 

L-R: Carrie Teakautz, CMA Membership and Balloting Asst., Tyler Barham;  

Tiffany Kerns, CMA Community Outreach Mgr.

Photo Credit: Clif Doyal

PRESS RELEASE

NASHVILLE, TN (February 3, 2015) - Rising young Country star, Tyler Barham, recently stopped by the CMA offices in Nashville to sign up for membership and pick up a copy of the latest edition of their Close Up magazine, where he is featured in a three-page spread along with The Band Perry and Joe Nichols. The story, titled "Keep It Real," focuses on social media tips from Barham and the other artists.

Never one to miss an opportunity to connect with his fans, Barham took the opportunity while at the CMA to film a short video about the career milestone - and also sang an acoustic version of his upcoming single, "Just Two Kids," which is slated for release in March. Watch the video here: http://youtu.be/CWjhAdW3brU.

Barham states, "I am excited to announce that I am the newest member of the CMA, and am thrilled to be featured in Close Up! I look forward to a great 2015!"

Barham, 24, a Montana native, currently residing in Nashville, certainly knows how to "keep it real" by staying in daily contact with his huge social media fan base, which includes over 50,000 followers spread across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Bob Doerschuck, Editor, CMA Close Up and Tyler Barham.  

Photo credit: Clif Doyal

Barham's YouTube site boasts an astonishing 8.8 million views of his videos, which are a combination of his own original music and covers of his favorite songs by artists including Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, and Brett Eldredge, who have all shared Barham's covers with their own followers. Barham met with YouTube staffers on their recent visit to Music City prompting Margaret Hart, of YouTube Artist Relations, to state: "Congrats Tyler on the CMA Close Up! We loved having Tyler come to our recent event in Nashville and look forward to him continuing to connect with his growing fan-base on YouTube."

On the fast track to success, Barham has already racked up amazing stats for a new artist, including Billboard's "10 Country Artists to Watch in 2014" and CMA's "Who New to Watch in 2013." In addition, Barham was a finalist on Great American Country's nationwide talent search, Next GAC Star, and also appeared on the E! television network series, Opening Act.

For more information about Tyler Barham, follow him online:

FaceBook: www.facebook.com/TylerBarham

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TyBlakeBarham

YouTube: www.youtube.com/tyblakebarham

NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: THE SWON BROTHERS

By Bob Doerschuk

© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc. Photo Credit: Jeremy Cowart

Whatever Merle Haggard and his pals did or didn’t smoke long ago in Muskogee, Oklahoma, one couple there managed to raise Colton and Zach Swon on a diet of strong values and good music. As toddlers, the brothers debuted with Exodus, the Swon family’s band. Zach was just 9 or 10 when he took over its drum chair, with Colton already entertaining up front and in the spotlight.

 After they cut down on touring and concentrated on building a residency at Wagoner, Oklahoma’s Civic Center, the band broadened beyond its Southern gospel style. They covered everyone from Michael Jackson to Elvis to Frank Sinatra, complete with appropriate stage costumes. Their typically sold-out shows soon propelled Colt and Zach into a duo career. They moved to Nashville, began writing their own songs and won national exposure as members of Team Blake on NBC’s “The Voice.”

With the Oct. 14 release of their self-titled debut album on Arista Nashville, produced by Mark Bright and The Swon Brothers, their momentum accelerated. Whether riding a dance beat prickled by banjo and a few well-placed turntable scratches on “95” (written by Ryan Hurd, Frank Rogers and Brad Tursi) or surfing surging dynamics on the ballad “Breaking” (Derek Southerland and Jamie Moore), their voices trade solo spots and twine in tight synchronicity, often free of vibrato but always rich in expression. This “Swon song” augurs a bright future.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

ACTOR WHO’D PORTRAY YOU IN A BIOPIC

COLTON: “Paul Rudd or Owen Wilson.”

ZACH: “Jack Black.”

WHAT YOU’D BE IF NOT A MUSICAL ARTIST

COLTON: “Coach in the NFL.”

ZACH: “”Football player in the NFL.”

MOMENT YOU’D LOVE TO RELIVE

COLTON: “Suiting up to play football.”

ZACH: “Singing with Bob Seger.”

SOMETHING WE’D NEVER GUESS ABOUT YOU

“Zach gets pedicures and Colton hates velvet.”

On the Web: www.SwonBrothers.com

On Twitter: @TheSwonBrothers

CMA CLOSE UP: NEW SOCIAL STRATEGIES MOBILIZE VIEWERS FOR CMA AWARDS

By Crystal Caviness

© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Sometimes it really is as simple as a hashtag.

Utilizing #CMAawards across multiple social media formats is the target of the Country Music Association’s plan to boost social media traffic significantly for “The 48th Annual CMA Awards,” airing live Nov. 5 on the ABC Television Network.

“Last year, in terms of social media, ‘The 47th Annual CMA Awards’ was the most talked-about broadcast of the week,” said Damon Whiteside, CMA’s Senior VP, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. “We had 130 million impressions on Twitter. This year, we want to generate even more conversations around the Awards. We are doing more to raise awareness about tuning into the show, and we’ll do that with #CMAawards. We want to get fans to use that hashtag to generate conversations.”

Tim McGraw was among many artists who shared their 2013 CMA Award experiences live via Twitter. - Photo Credit: CMA

Kelly Clarkson was among the artists who posed for and tweeted selfies backstage at the 2013 CMA Awards via a “twitter mirror.” - Photo Credit: CMA

CMA’s digital platforms reach 2.5 million followers on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, mobile and email.  CMA’s plans involve leveraging that strong artist and fan community by providing content for its members to repost and retweet in the days before as well as during the broadcast.

New to the show this year will be the Backstage Pass via the WatchABC app, a behind-the-scenes, second-screen experience, accessible on tablets, laptops and other mobile devices. CMA had formerly provided multicamera, fan-directed streaming feeds at CMAawards.com. This year, they will also be featured inside the WatchABC app, offering a more integrated experience across multiple devices, including iPad, iPhone, Android devices and smart TV. Cameras on the Red Carpet, in the backstage area, and even focused on the A-list celebrities in the first few rows of the audience, will capture additional footage.

The CMA 360 app offered multiple views of the action during the 2013 CMA Awards.

Photo Credit: CMA

“With more cameras and more interviews and insights from the artists, the Red Carpet and backstage show will let the fans be more involved than ever before,” said Ben Bennett, CMA’s Director of Digital Strategy. “In select markets, fans can even watch the CMA Awards live on the WatchABC smartphone app alongside the backstage show. Being included in the WatchABC app will introduce Country Music to millions of potential new fans. The experience will also be available on the digital home for the show, CMAawards.com.”

Of course, Facebook/Instagram will be part of the experience. In 2013, using instastop photo booths, artists posted Red Carpet photos to the “Extra” Instagram account. They also participated in fan Q&A sessions on their Facebook pages. This year, fans will have even more chances to connect with artists through Facebook.

Colgate, another partner, will provide a site in the hair and makeup area from which artists can tweet. Additional partners JC Penney and Pepsi will offer their own social media elements.

One of the largest social media initiatives will involve Chevrolet, which launched an Instagram promotion during ABC’s broadcast of “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” on Aug. 5. This campaign invites fans to post photos evoking the Country lifestyle and what it means to them to Instagram using #ChevyCMASweeps. The winner receives a trip to Nashville and tickets for the 2014 CMA Awards. All the info about this campaign is available at CMAawards.com/Chevy.

Promo spots airing on ABC in the weeks before the broadcast will incorporate a social media twist, featuring co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood driving fans to social media platforms to vote on playful elements of those promos.

“Our goal is to create a great fan experience so the fans will want to talk about the Awards with their friends online, and as we reach more of their circles of friends, we can potentially reach a bigger tune-in audience,” Bennett concluded. “The fans, promotional partners and artist communities are all vital to our success.”

CMA CLOSEUP: CMA BRINGS COUNTRY MUSIC TO PUBLIC TELEVISION

By Bob Doerschuk

© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum

 perform on “Front and Center.” -  Photo Credit: Donn Jones

On June 25, CMA and live concert television series “Front and Center” filmed two episodes celebrating the 10th anniversary of the CMA Songwriters Series, featuring CMA Award winners Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum onstage in intimate acoustic settings.

The Bentley performance will be made available to public television stations on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Songwriters Jim Beavers, Ross Copperman, Brett James and Jon Randall join him onstage in this one-hour broadcast.

Lady Antebellum showcases its hits, previews tracks from its fifth album 747, shares personal stories and anecdotes and invites songwriters Rodney Clawson, Tom Douglas, Josh Kear, Luke Laird and Abe Stoklasa to share the stage. This one-hour installment will be made available to public television stations on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

“Country Music is a genre based on the foundation of great songs,” said CMA CEO Sarah Trahern in New York City during a Sept. 3 press conference to reveal the final nominees for the 2014 CMA Awards. “Announcing the ‘Front and Center’ shows the same time we are recognizing our CMA Awards-nominated songwriters for the CMA Song of the Year was a natural fit and a great way to build excitement leading up to the Awards broadcast on Nov. 5.”

Dierks Bentley is joined by Jon Randall, Brett James, Jim Beavers and Ross Copperman

 at his “Front and Center” taping. - Photo Credit: Donn Jones

“We were privileged to be able to work with as prestigious an organization as CMA, to bring these compelling shows with Dierks and Lady Antebellum to public television,” said Don Maggi, Executive Producer, “Front and Center.” “They were truly special shows that we hope have laid the groundwork for future programming with CMA.”

“With its new CMA partnership, ’Front and Center‘ becomes an outlet for the true backbone of Country Music — the songs and the people who wrote them — to be laid bare,” noted Rolling Stone Country.

For air dates in your market, check your local public television station schedules.

CMA CLOSEUP: NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT - AMERICAN YOUNG

Photo Credit: Reid Rolls

By Bob Doerschuk

© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

When two artists, already wise to the ways of the Country Music world, form a duo, the result can be more varied than what you often get from sibling pairs.

When the twosome is Kristy Osmunson and Jon Stone, it can also be close to magic.

They have plenty in common. Both are American and, though well established in Nashville, young. Stone’s writing credits include “Me and My Gang” for Rascal Flatts, “A Woman Like You” for Lee Brice and “It Ain’t Yours to Throw Away” for fictitious superstar Gunnar Scott on “Nashville.” Osmunson sizzled on fiddle with another duo, Bomshel.

On June 24, Curb Records released their first digital EP, whose six tracks bubble with their chemistry and daringly defy convention. Their first single, “Love Is War” (written by Billy Montana, Kylie Sackley and Jonathan Singleton), eschews slamming backbeats and hillbilly swagger for simple, quiet harmonies and unisons over delicate, lutelike plucks and an almost evanescent drum part. Each takes a turn in the spotlight — Stone with tangible urgency on “Wasn’t Gonna Drink Tonight” (Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Stone), Osmunson with muted desperation on “God Sends a Train.”

Expect American Young to be making music this memorable well into adulthood.

For more on American Young, visit www.CMACloseUp.com.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND

OSMUNSON: “The Do’s and Don’ts of Twerking.”

STONE: “Touring for Dummies.”

PET PEEVE

OSMUNSON: “Jon.”

STONE: “I don’t have a pet. I travel too much.”

FAVORITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

OSMUNSON: “Horse.”

STONE: “Teleportation – anything besides the back of a cop car.”

TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OSMUNSON: “Eat Dessert First.”

STONE: “Confusion Gets You Far in Life.”

FAVORITE FOOD ON THE ROAD

OSMUNSON: “Carrot juice and veggies – I’m pretty much a rabbit.”

STONE: “Anything local.”

SOMETHING WE’D NEVER GUESS ABOUT YOU

OSMUNSON: “I’m not really blond.”

STONE: “I can read.”

On the Web: www.AmericanYoung.com

On Twitter: @American_Young

2014 CMA BROADCAST FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The 2014 CMA Broadcast Finalists were announced finalists literally a short time ago at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square. Official winners will be notified next month and will be honored at the 48th Annual CMA Awards  held on Nov. 5.

Special congratulations to our hometown station, WQDR 94.7 and PD Lisa McKay who are once again nominated and hopefully will take home the honors again this year. Congratulations to all nominees!

CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year

Derek Haskins, Sean Powell , The Big D & Bubba Show , Compass Media Networks
Lon Helton ,  Country Countdown USA , Westwood One
Paul Schadt, Cathy Martindale ,  zMax Racing Country , Performance Racing Network.

Major Market

Donna Valentine, Mike Mussman, Patrick Knight , K102 Wakeup Crew , KEEY/Minneapolis
Laurie DeYoung, Mark Williams, Jeff St. Pierre, Claire Scattergood ,  Laurie DeYoung Show,  WPOC/Baltimore
Michael J. Stuehler , The Michael J Show , WMZQ/Washington
Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, Geof Knight,   Paul Schadt & Meg In The Morning,  WKKT/Charlotte
Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline, Erica Rico , The Q Morning Zoo , KKBQ/Houston
Mark Razz , Razz On The Radio , WXTU/Philadelphia.

Large Market

Chris Carr, Jeffrey "Maverick" Bolen, Jason Statt ,  Chris Carr & Company,  WUBE/Cincinnati
Karen Dalessandro, Scott Dolphin , FM 106.1 Morning Show With Karen & Scott , WMIL/Milwaukee
Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt, Kevin Freeman ,  Jim, Deb & Kevin,  WFMS/Indianapolis
Randy Carroll, Jamie Martin , KJ & Friends With Randy & Jamie , KAJA/San Antonio
Lisa McKay , WQDR/Raleigh.

Medium Market

Roger Todd, Tom O'Brien, Mellisa Moran, Dale Sellers , 97 Country Breakfast Club , WPCV/Lakeland, FL
Buzz Jackson , KIIM/Tucson
William Bertschinger, Corey Myers , Electric Barnyard , WWYZ/Hartford
Kevin Richards ,  Kevin Richards Show , WGNA/Albany, NY
Steve Lundy & Gina Melton ,  The Kat 103.7 Morning Show, KXKT/Omaha.

Small Market

Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, Tracy Berry , Barrett, Fox & Berry , KKNU/Eugene, OR
Craig Allen , WHWY/Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Bill "Dex" Poindexter, Melissa "Mo" Turner , Dex & Mo Show , WUSY/Chattanooga, TN
Gator Harrison, Greg "Styckman" Owens, Kyle Croft , Gator & The Styckman , WUSY/Chattanooga
Scotty Cox & Cara Denis, Scotty & Cara in the Morning, KCLR/Columbia, MO.

CMA Radio Station of the Year

Major Market

CKRY/Calgary, AB
KKBQ/Houston
KYGO/Denver
WIL/St. Louis
WKLB/Boston

Large Market

KAJA/San Antonio
WMIL/Milwaukee
WQDR/Raleigh
WUBE/Cincinnati
WWKA/Orlando

Medium Market

KATM/Modesto-Stockton
KUZZ/Bakersfield
KXKT/Omaha
WKSJ/Mobile
WQMX/Akron

Small Market

KCLR/Columbia, MO
KKNU/Eugene, OR
WHWY/Ft. Walton Beach, FL
WKSF/Asheville, NC
WUSY/Chattanooga, TN.

CMA CLOSE UP: COUNTRY STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR MUSIC TEACHERS

By Deborah Evans Price

© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Ask just about anyone in Country Music today and you’ll likely find that music education was a cornerstone in the foundation of their careers.

“People would ask, ‘Why don’t you play basketball? You know you’re tall,’” said Chris Young, with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Well, basketball practice was always at the same time as choir rehearsal.’ Between the two of them, I picked choir and it seems to have worked out.”

Chris Young performs with Nashville School of the Arts students Mignon Grabois and Charley Woods at the 2012 Keep the Music Playing All Stars concert.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA

“I had a unique opportunity to go to a school for performing arts in Columbus, Ohio, called the Fort Hayes Performing Arts Center,” said Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. “I had a teacher there named Mary Daniels, who really pushed me to be better than I thought I was. I’d turn in projects and she’d say, ‘It’s good, but you’ve got better inside of you.’ She was actually more a friend to me than just a teacher. She had a way of disarming you to make you feel so comfortable and capable of doing more than you thought you could.”

Jay DeMarcus plays the new grand piano donated to Nashville’s McGavock High School by CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program in 2009.

Photo credit: John Russell / CMA

Like Chris Young, Scotty McCreery learned much from performing with his high school choir. “Our teacher, Meredith Clayton, would take us to New York City, Chicago, Florida and different places for competitions,” he recalled. “She was awesome. She has a big, bubbly personality and a love for music that she passed down to her students. She was all about preparation and putting in the work, and that’s big for Country Music nowadays. If you’re going to be successful, you’ve got to put in the work. Nobody’s going to hand it to you. So I learned a lot of good lessons from her.”

Scotty McCreery performs with students at the 2013 Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert.

Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA

A number of music teachers inspired Sara Evans as she grew up in New Franklin, Missouri. “I was playing clarinet in band,” she said. “I was also in choir. Our two music teachers, Mrs. Burnett and Mrs. Nugent, were both really sweet and fabulous as teachers. Our school was so small that we didn’t even have football, so we would march in the town’s parades. I was always the assistant teacher. Sometimes I would get to direct the band.”

The benefits of music education are a top priority for Evans to pass along to her children, son Avery, 14, and daughter Olivia, 11. She has also lent support to other kids studying music. In 2011, she visited Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School as part of CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program to support public school music education.

Sara Evans visits Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn Entertainment High School in 2011on behalf of CMA’s Keep the Music Playing.

Photo Credit: John Russell / CMA

“That was a really cool experience,” she said. “I learned so much about how they benefit from Keep the Music Playing. It was really cool to see these kids perform and work so hard on these songs and then perform them for us. You could just tell they were so proud and that they were such good friends, just from being in the music program together.”

“It’s really a great way for us as musicians and other people to be able to give back,” agreed Young, who has also participated in programs for KTMP. “It’s a great investment of our time, and it’s great for the kids.”

“I’m so passionate about Keep the Music Playing because I remember as a kid that if I didn’t have music to distract me from some other things, I don’t know where I would have ended up,” DeMarcus added. “It helped me focus a little bit more in school, having music to look forward to in the afternoons.”

McCreery concurs that KTMP is “an awesome program. As a performer and a musician, I hear about the public schools and their budget cuts. A lot of times, the first things they cut are their music and arts programs. But these programs are so vital and important to kids and their upbringing. I couldn’t imagine growing up without having arts and music in my school. Keep the Music Playing and CMA are doing great things for these kids, for their future.”

Half of all CMA Music Festival profits are donated annually to Keep the Music Playing. More information is available at www.CMAworld.com.

CMA FEST 2014: BMI TAILGATE PARTY PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED

Again, please stay tuned for the announcement of specific dates/times for each performance as they have not been posted by CMA at this time. We'll add as soon as we get the news!

A Thousand Horses
Blackjack Billy
Chase Bryant
Adam Craig
DJ Du
Brett Eldredge
David Fanning
Sara Haze
Chris Lane
Natalie Stovall and The Drive
Michael Ray
Josh Thompson
Whiskey Jam

CMA FEST 2014: THE BUCKLE STAGE ANNOUNCES ARTIST LINEUP

Stay tuned for specific times and dates for each artist. We'll post as soon as we get them!

Carlton Anderson
Kelsea Ballerini
Bonner Black
Misty Rae Carson
Karli Chayne
Steven Clawson
Courtney Cole
Hannah Dasher
Jacob Davis
GirlBilly
Ryan Griffin
Curtis Grimes
Adam Hambrick
Brett Kissell
Ryan Lafferty
Brandon Lay
Josh London
Daisy Mallory
Michaelis
Oklahoma
Carly Pearce
David Ray
Jameson Rodgers
Smithfield
Walker County
Hailey Whitters

CMA FEST 2014: CHEVY ROADHOUSE STAGE ANNOUNCES LINEUP

Stay tuned for specific dates and times for each artist. We'll post as soon as it's announced! Say hi to our friends Brinn Black and Randy Montana if you happen to catch their shows!

Ballie and the Boys
Brinn Black
Cast of “Crazy Hearts Nashville”
Cerrito
Jaida Dreyer
Jordan Grassi
Marty Haggard
Lyndsey Highlander
Rachel Holder
Levi Hummon
Angie Johnson
Stevens Layne
Matt Mason
Walker McGuire
Randy Montana
Music City Doughboys
Aaron Parker
Jacob Powell
Brent Rupard
Lizzie Sider
The Danberrys
Keni Thomas
Whiskey Rose

CMA FEST 2014: SAMSUNG GALAXY STAGE ANNOUNCES LINEUP

Ok CMA Fest'ers! Here is the current lineup for the Samsung Galaxy Stage. Lineup is subject to change and times/dates have not been announced yet so stay tuned!

Robby Armstrong
Rob Baird
Ty Bates
Dakota Bradley
David Bradley
Laura Bell Bundy
Cam
Brandon Chase
Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister
Heath Haynes & the High Dollars
Sam Hollyman
Joey Hyde
Jukebox Mafia
John Karl
Ryan Kinder
John King
Jenny Leigh
Cheryl LuQuire
Rachele Lynae
Brian Milson
Danielle Peck
Pierce Avenue
Stephanie Quayle
Raven Cliff
Julie Roberts
Gwen Sebastian
Canaan Smith
Phoenix Stone
The Brothers Road
The Nelsons
The Railers
The Stickers
Chad Warrix
Ryan Weaver
Jesse Keith Whitley
Zane Williams