Jim Free, Randy Goodman Get CMA Chairman’s Award

(L-R) Steve Moore, Jim Free, Randy Goodman and Steve Buchanan.

At today’s CMA Board of Directors meeting (Oct. 6-7) in Nashville, Chairman Steve Buchanan and Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore surprised ex-officio Board member Jim Free and former President/Chairman Randy Goodman by presenting them with the CMA Chairman’s Award, which is given annually at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board.

Moore, praised Free’s passion for Country Music and tireless efforts on behalf of the format in Washington D.C. over the years. Free was instrumental in guiding and developing CMA’s successful Washington Board meetings in March, including securing top-tier legislators to discuss issues of importance to the music industry and introducing what has now become an ongoing relationship with the Library of Congress and Librarian of Congress Dr. James H. Billington.

Buchanan praised Goodman’s leadership, vision, and years of volunteer service to the Association. “Randy is a strategic thinker and action oriented leader who dedicated countless hours to making the CMA a better, more effective organization and he did just that,” Buchanan said. “The results of his efforts, which were always colored by his heart, passion, and sense of humor, will have a lasting, positive impact with immeasurable benefit to our Board and our industry.”