The Country Music Association hosted its first CMA Membership Roundtable and Discussion yesterday at the Hilton Downtown Nashville. CMA members were treated to lunch and had the opportunity to hear about the organization's initiatives for 2012 including the revival of the SRO Awards, CMA's "Year of Country Radio," and healthcare benefits that are available to the association's constituents. (L-R): CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore; CMA Senior Manager of Membership & Balloting, Brandi Simms; CMA Sound Healthcare CEO, RJ Stillwell; and CMA Board member and The AristoMedia Group President, Jeff Walker. Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA
CMA is reinstating the touring industry SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards in 2012. The honors will be presented during Country Music Month in October.
“Following the recent success of the inaugural CMA Touring Musician Award in 2011, the CMA Board felt that the SRO Awards in their entirety should be reintroduced in 2012,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “The touring industry is a vibrant part of our business and these hard-working individuals are very deserving of this recognition.”
Balloting will be conducted with a two-step election process, beginning with a nominating round, then a finalist round. Voting will begin in April.
Ballots will be sent to CMA members in the following categories: Affiliated, Artist, Entertainment Services, Musician, Personal Manager, Publicist, Record Label, Talent Agent, Talent Buyer/Promoter, TV/Video/Media, and Venue.
The SRO Award categories
Business Manager of the Year
Coach/Truck Driver of the Year
FOH (Front of House) Engineer
Lighting Director of the Year
Manager of the Year
Monitor Engineer of the Year
Production Manager of the Year
Publicist of the Year
Talent Agent of the Year
Tour Caterer of the Year
Tour Manager of the Year
Touring Musician of the Year (approved and implemented in 2011)
Venue of the Year
Video Director of the Year
An individual, company or tour cannot win two consecutive years in the same category. Ballots will be tabulated by accounting firm Deloitte & Touche.
The SRO Awards were created by the CMA Board of Directors in 1990, and were handed out through 1997.
Category: Featured, Organizations, Touring
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