Country Music Goes International: CMA Presents Awards, Belmont Hosts Conference

Ricky Ross Receives CMA International Country Broadcaster Award

Ricky Ross received the 2014 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award yesterday (May 26) from CMA Board Chairman Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President John Esposito, CMA Board President-elect Sally Williams, Chairman of the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee Jon Loba, and Board member Brett James at CMA’s corporate office in Nashville.

Ross, a broadcaster, singer, and songwriter who has had cuts by James Blunt and Ronan Keating to name a few, regularly visits Nashville. He presents BBC Radio Scotland’s “Another Country,” a mix of classic Country and Americana and the show has won two Sony Radio Awards. 

Pictured (L-R): Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy and CMA Board Chairman; Sally Williams, VP of Business and Partnership Development of Ryman Auditorium and CMA Board President-elect; Brett James, CMA Award-nominated songwriter and CMA Board member; CMA International Country Broadcaster Award winner Ricky Ross; John Esposito, Pres./ CEO of Warner Music Nashville and CMA Board President; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Jon Loba, EVP of BBR Music Group and Chairman of the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee. Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA

Bob Shennan Receives CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award

Another award was given out last week as Hunter Hayes presented the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award to Bob Shennan, Controller Radio 2, 6 Music, Asian Network, and Director, BBC Music.

“Bob is a tremendous ambassador for country music and the international growth of the format,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And as a CMA Board member, he is a trusted and valued resource as we continue to explore and develop new ways to expand the format abroad.”

Shennan said, “It is a great privilege to serve on the Board of the CMA and this award is a wonderful honor. Country music is enjoying a golden age in the U.K. The BBC is here to support great music, and I am proud to do my bit.”

Hunter Hayes (r) presents BBC’s Bob Shennan with the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award at the BBC offices in London Friday, May 22. Photo: Anthony D’Angio/CMA

International Country Music Conference Held at Belmont University

The International Country Music Conference was held last week at Belmont University. The annual conference, under co-Chairs Don Cusic and James Akenson, hosts country music scholars for three days of presentations and panel discussions. This year there were presenters from Japan, Norway, Germany, England, Canada and Australia.

The Belmont Award, given for the Best Book on country music during calendar year 2015 was presented to Barry Mazor for his book, Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music.

The Chet Flippo Award, sponsored by Rolling Stone magazine for excellence in country music journalism, was given to Jewly Hight.

Pictured (L-R): James Akenson, Barry Mazor, Jewly Hight, Rolling Stone’s Beville Dunkerley and Don Cusic.