Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell, Travis Denning, Cam Visit Europe During C2C Festival

Pictured (L-R): Jimmie Allen, Travis Denning, Cam, Laura Veltz, Ross Copperman. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

The Country Music Association visited Europe and the U.K. last week with stops in Berlin, Amsterdam and London as part of the C2C: Country to Country festival, bringing CMA’s new international artist-focused touring series, Introducing Nashville, to fans in Berlin and Amsterdam, followed by a return CMA Songwriters Series performance in London.

Pictured: (L-R): Lindsay Ell, Lauren Jenkins, Logan Mize. Photo: Kai Heimberg/CMA

As part of CMA’s international expansion initiatives, Introducing Nashville provides a platform to introduce artists to new audiences around the globe. The touring series brought Lindsay Ell, Lauren Jenkins and Logan Mize to European fans for the first time, opening the mainstage at C2C Berlin at the Verti Arena Berlin on Saturday (March 2), in addition to performing as part of C2C Amsterdam at AFAS Amsterdam on Monday( March 4). Introducing Nashville brings the unique Nashville-style songwriter’s round to each city, with artists appearing on stage together in an acoustic lineup, introducing their songs and sharing highlights of their careers and personal stories.

Pictured (L-R): Jimmie Allen, Ross Copperman, Cam, Laura Veltz, Travis Denning. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

Following stops in Berlin and Amsterdam, CMA’s CMA Songwriters Series returned to London’s indigo at The O2 Thursday (March 7), kicking off C2C London with a sold-out performance. Hosted by Cam, the lineup included hit Nashville songwriters and artists including Jimmie Allen, Ross Copperman, Travis Denning and Laura Veltz. Both Denning and Veltz made their first-ever international appearances. The performance marked the sixth London appearance and third consecutive sold-out CMA Songwriters Series during C2C.

Pictured (L-R): Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer; Roland Hill, WTW Music, co-manager of Ward Thomas; Catherine Ward Thomas and Lizzy Ward Thomas of Ward Thomas; Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

While in London, CMA presented two awards in recognition of individuals for their efforts in spreading the country genre internationally. British country duo Ward Thomas received the CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award during the CMA Songwriters Series show, as Cam surprised both artists with the award before the other songwriters on stage urged them to perform their song “Cartwheels.”

BBC Radio 2 Radio Host Baylen Leonard was presented with the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award by Bob Shennan, BBC Director, Radio & Music and CMA Board member, during CMA’s U.K. Task Force meeting in London on Friday (March 8).

Pictured (L-R): Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer; Bob Shennan, BBC Director, Radio & Music and CMA Board member; Baylen Leonard, BBC Radio 2 Radio Host; Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA