Pictured: (Back row, L-R): Brian O’Connell, Kerri Edwards, Ebie McFarland, David Farmer, Jay Cooper, Darin Murphy, Sarah Trahern, and James McDermott. (Front row, L-R): Ed Wannebo, Mary Ann McCready, Sally Williams, Lisaann Dupont, Jay DeMarcus, and Kris O’Connor. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
More than a dozen members of the country music touring industry were formally recognized at the SRO Awards, presented by the CMA, on Monday night (Dec. 7).
The trophies were presented at an industry event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville hosted by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts.
“Our touring industry members are on the frontline, every day taking our music directly to the fans in small clubs, stadiums, and everything in between,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Their hard work and many contributions to the success of the format deserve attention and a standing ovation.”
Pictured (L-R): Jay DeMarcus, Ebie McFarland, Hunter Hayes. Photo: Donn Jones
DeMarcus, Dierks Bentley, Hunter Hayes, and Cole Swindell presented trophies to members of their road families, while Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Chase Rice, Blake Shelton, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, and Steve Wariner recorded personal congratulatory messages to celebrate the winners.
Swindell summed it up when he presented the SRO Award for Manager of the Year to Kerri Edwards: “We all know how hard she works on the team, but it is nice seeing her recognized by the industry.”
Pictured (L-R): Jay DeMarcus, Kerri Edwards, Cole Swindell. Photo: Donn Jones
Brian O’Connell, who won the SRO Award for Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year, spoke with passion about how this is the touring industry’s CMA Award: “This is OUR CMA Award for the guys and girls on the road who put it up and take it down.”
The winners in 15 categories were determined by CMA members in the following categories: Advertising/Public Relations/Media; Affiliated; Artist; Entertainment Services; Marketing/Digital; Musician; Personal Manager; Record Label; Talent Agent; Talent Buyer/Promoter; Touring; and Venue. Ballots were tabulated by the professional services firm Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Pictured (L-R): Jay DeMarcus, James McDermott, Dierks Bentley. Photo: Donn Jones
CMA’s SRO Awards 2015 Winners are as follows:
CATEGORY 1 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Mary Ann McCready – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
CATEGORY 2 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Kelley Beck – Blake Shelton
CATEGORY 3 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
James McDermott – Dierks Bentley
CATEGORY 4 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Philip Ealy – Kenny Chesney
CATEGORY 5 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Kerri Edwards – KP Entertainment
CATEGORY 6 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
David Farmer – Kenny Chesney
CATEGORY 7 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Brad Baisley – Blake Shelton
CATEGORY 8 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Ed Wannebo – Kenny Chesney
CATEGORY 9 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Ebie McFarland – Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
CATEGORY 10 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Darin Murphy – Creative Artists Agency
CATEGORY 11 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
CATEGORY 12 – TOUR CATERER OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering
CATEGORY 13 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jenee Fleenor – Blake Shelton
CATEGORY 14 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tenn.
CATEGORY 15 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jay Cooper – Kenny Chesney
