Microsoft Salutes CMA’s Tech Initiatives

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer honored CMA for its technological leadership in the industry last night. CMA Board members in attendance included (l-r) Ed Hardy, President of GAC; Patrick Collins, SESAC Sr. VP of Licensing; Steve Bogard, One Music Group Partner; Ballmer; Jeff Walker, President, The AristoMedia Group; Kitty Moon Emery, CEO, Kitty Moon Emery Enterprises; Tim Wipperman; Greg Hill, Red Light Management; and Chris Felder, CMA Digital Media Director. Photographer: Donn Jones / CMA

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer was in Nashville last night (1/20), where he saluted the Country Music Association as a leader in technology initiatives. During the event at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, he also reconfirmed his company’s commitment to working with the CMA to bridge technology and country music, and presented CMA Digital Media Director Chris Felder with a guitar signed by artists who participated in the 2009 CMA Music Festival.

Ballmer also said he plans to continue helping the CMA’s music education initiative “Keep the Music Playing.” The guitar will be used in a future fundraiser for “Keep the Music Playing,” CMA’s charity initiative in partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education that donates funds to Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Last year, the CMA worked with Microsoft and Firefly Logic to develop new Web-based applications for CMAfest.com. There were the “Be This Close” and “Hot Shots” applications, as well as the “Where Am I” mobile web app that allowed Festival-goers to pinpoint their location and their next destination at CMA Music Festival venues as well as to access shuttle bus schedules. The CMA has worked with Firefly Logic on additional Silverlight-based rich media experiences, including a well-received Twitter-based feed aggregator r for the 2009 CMA Awards.