CMA International Reception Honors Jeff Walker

Pictured (L-R): Milly Olykan; Sarah Trahern; Christy Walker Watkins, Walker’s daughter and Vice President of Publicity at AristoMedia Group; Walker’s widow Terri; Walker’s father, Bill; Walker’s stepmother, Jeanine; and Walker’s son-in-law Matt Watkins, Vice President of Marketing and Operations at AristoMedia Group.
Photo Credit: John Russell / CMA

The Country Music Association hosted more than 90 international media and music executives at the CMA International Reception in Nashville Wednesday ahead of “The 49th Annual CMA Awards.”

The Awards ceremony was simultaneously broadcast around the globe on CMC Australia and City TV in Canada. BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a live two-hour program hosted by Bob Harris on Saturday, Nov. 7 in the U.K. with Awards highlights.

Notable reception attendees included Laura Allen, Head of Artist & Media Relations at Universal Music Ireland; Aidan Butler, Senior Music Producer at RTE Radio; Sandy Harsch, Presenter of RTE Radio’s “Country Time”; CMA Board member Milly Olykan, Festival and Events Director at The O2; and Iain Snodgrass, Vice President of International Marketing at Universal Music Group International.

It was also announced at the reception that the CMA Global Artist Award will now be named the Jeff Walker Global Artist Award to honor late CMA Board member Jeff Walker, who passed away in August.

Walker was passionate about the international scope of Country Music. During his 21-year tenure on the CMA Board he was instrumental in distribution of CMA’s international honors and the creation of the CMA World GlobaLive! international artist showcase that takes place each year during CMA Music Festival. Walker’s family were in attendance.