45 Facts About the CMA Awards

The Origins of the CMA Awards

The Country Music Association (CMA) Awards have a rich history that dates back to the late 1950s. Let's dive into how it all began and some key milestones.

1. Founding of the CMA: The Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee, aiming to promote and develop country music worldwide. It was the first trade organization formed to promote a specific music genre.

2. First CMA Awards: The inaugural CMA Awards ceremony took place in 1967 in Nashville. Sonny James and Bobbie Gentry hosted the event, which was not televised at that time.

3. Televised Debut: The first televised CMA Awards ceremony occurred in 1968, just a year after the inaugural event. NBC taped the ceremony and aired it a few weeks later.

4. Longest-Running Awards Show: The CMA Awards is the longest-running annual music awards show on network television. Initially airing on NBC, it transitioned to ABC in 2006.

The Voting and Eligibility Process

Understanding how the CMA Awards are determined and who gets to vote is crucial for appreciating the significance of these accolades.

5. Eligibility Period: Music qualified for the CMA Awards must be released during the eligibility period, typically spanning from July 1 of the previous calendar year to June 30 of the current year.

6. Voting Process: The nominees and winners of the CMA Awards are determined by more than 7,400 industry professional members of the CMA. These members include artists, music executives, songwriters, publicists, and other industry professionals.

Categories and Notable Awards

The CMA Awards recognize achievements in various categories, each celebrating different aspects of country music.

7. Categories: The CMA Awards recognize outstanding achievements in 12 different categories: Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Musician of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and New Artist of the Year.

8. Entertainer of the Year: The Entertainer of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors given at the CMAs. It recognizes an artist who has demonstrated exceptional competence in all aspects of the entertainment field, including recorded performance, in-person performance, public acceptance, leadership, and overall contribution to country music.

9. First Entertainer of the Year Winner: The first Entertainer of the Year award was given to Eddy Arnold in 1967.

Record Holders and Milestones

Some artists and moments have left an indelible mark on the history of the CMA Awards.

10. Most Awards Won: George Strait holds the record for the most CMA Awards won by an individual, with a total of 22 awards. The duo Brooks & Dunn is next with 17 awards.

11. First Woman to Win Entertainer of the Year: Loretta Lynn became the first woman to win Entertainer of the Year in 1972 after releasing over 20 albums.

12. First Black Artist to Win Entertainer of the Year: Charley Pride became the first and only Black artist to win Entertainer of the Year in 1971 after releasing ten albums. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 just a month before his death.

Special Awards and Recognitions

The CMA Awards also include special recognitions that honor lifetime achievements and significant contributions to country music.

13. Lifetime Achievement Award: The CMA instituted a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, named after the inaugural recipient, Willie Nelson. Dolly Parton became the first female recipient of this award in 2016.

14. Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award: The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award was instituted in 2012 and named after its inaugural recipient, Willie Nelson. Dolly Parton became the first female recipient of this award in 2016.

15. CMA Triple Play Awards: The CMA Triple Play Awards are presented to songwriters who have written three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period. The criteria include Billboard Country Airplay, Billboard Hot Country Songs, and Country Aircheck charts. Over 300 Triple Play Awards have been presented since the award’s inception in 1991.

Memorable Performances and Hosts

The CMA Awards have featured some unforgettable performances and notable hosts over the years.

16. Historical Performances: One of the most memorable performances in CMA history was when Tanya Tucker brought on the late Little Richard for a performance of “Something’ Else” in 1994. Another notable performance was when Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson teamed up for an unusual duet with a nostalgic song, “Rainbow Connection,” from The Muppets.

17. Hosting the Awards: The 2023 CMA Awards were hosted by country singer Luke Bryan and NFL star Peyton Manning at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Venues and Locations

The CMA Awards have been held in various iconic locations, each adding its unique flavor to the event.

18. Locations for CMA Awards: The CMA Awards have been held in five locations in Nashville: the Municipal Auditorium, Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry House, Bridgestone Arena, and the Music City Center. The ceremony was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2005 due to the venue’s larger capacity.

19. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: The 54th CMA Awards in 2020 were held at the Music City Center without a public audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 55th Annual CMA Awards returned to Bridgestone Arena and welcomed back fans with limited ticket availability.

Noteworthy Achievements and Records

Several artists have set records and achieved milestones that have become part of CMA Awards lore.

20. Most Consecutive Wins in Male Vocalist Category: Vince Gill (1991-1995) and Blake Shelton (2010-2014) hold the record for the most consecutive wins in the Male Vocalist category with five wins each.

21. Most Consecutive Wins in Female Vocalist Category: Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year a record six consecutive years from 2010 to 2015.

22. First Married Couple to Win Both Male/Female Vocalist Awards: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill made history in 2000 by becoming the first married couple to win both Male and Female Vocalist of the Year awards.

23. Dolly Parton’s Achievements: Dolly Parton has won a CMA Award in five different decades, making her one of the most prolific winners in the history of the awards.

24. Johnny Cash’s Posthumous Wins: Johnny Cash won three CMA Awards in 2003, two months after his death.

Special Awards and Ceremonies

The CMA has introduced various special awards and ceremonies to honor exceptional contributions to country music.

25. CMA Trophy: The CMA Awards trophy was originally made of walnut but was later transitioned to crystal due to the limited supply of walnut wood in 1983. The current trophy is 15 inches tall and weighs 6 pounds, made from hand-blown fine crystal in Florence, Italy, with final assembly by Francis & Lusky in Nashville, Tennessee.

26. CMA Logo: The CMA logo appears on a tri-level, die-struck medallion in polished bronze surrounded by musical notes for the traditional hymn “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”

27. Medallion Ceremony: Inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame are recognized during a special Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater. Friends and colleagues pay tribute to each inductee through words and song, and each inductee’s bronze plaque is unveiled for display in the Museum’s rotunda.

28. CMA Touring Awards: The CMA Touring Awards, previously known as the SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards, were created in 1990 to honor outstanding professional achievement within the touring industry. Only CMA members in specific categories vote for these awards.

29. CMA International Awards: The CMA International Awards honor Country Music’s top professionals working and creating success in Country Music outside of the United States. These awards are determined by CMA members residing outside of the U.S. along with a select domestic panel.

The Future and Evolution of the CMA Awards

The CMA Awards continue to evolve, reflecting the dynamic nature of the country music industry.

30. CMA Fest: The CMA Fest, also known as Music Festival, is an annual event that takes place in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a four-day festival featuring live performances by country music artists and other genres.

31. CMA Board of Directors: The CMA Board of Directors initially included nine directors and five officers. Wesley Rose, president of Acuff-Rose Publishing, Inc., served as the first chairman of the board. Connie B. Gay was the founding president, and Mac Wiseman served as the first secretary and last surviving inaugural member.

32. Executive Directors: Harry Stone served as the first executive director from 1958 to 1960 before resigning. Jo Walker-Meador replaced Stone as executive director in 1962 and served until 1991.

33. CMA Membership Categories: The CMA originally had nine individual membership categories but now has 15 categories representing all facets of the music industry. Organizational memberships are also available.

34. Eligibility Criteria for New Artist Award: Any artist who has previously won a CMA Award (except Song of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, and Music Video of the Year) or who has twice been a final nominee for the New Artist of the Year Award is ineligible for nomination.

35. Jimmie Allen’s Nomination: Jimmie Allen was the first African American nominated for New Artist of the Year since Darius Rucker in 2010. Allen was nominated again in 2021.

Fun Facts and Trivia

Here are some fun and lesser-known facts about the CMA Awards that add to their charm and legacy.

36. Best New Artist Award: The Best New Artist award, initially known as the Horizon Award, debuted in 1981. Six artists who won this award have gone on to win Entertainer of the Year: Ricky Skaggs, Garth Brooks, The Chicks, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and Taylor Swift.

37. Album of the Year Winners: Two movie soundtracks have won Album of the Year: Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980) and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001).

38. Vocal Event of the Year: Jimmy Buffett won Vocal Event of the Year in 2003 for the song “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” performed by him and Alan Jackson.

39. First Woman to Win Musician of the Year: Jenee Fleenor became the first woman to be nominated and win Musician of the Year in 2019. She also won in 2020 and was nominated again in 2021.

40. CMA’s Role in Promoting Country Music: The CMA plays a crucial role in promoting country music globally. It has been instrumental in shaping the genre and providing a platform for artists to showcase their talents.

41. CMA’s Early Years: The CMA was founded, in part, due to widespread dismay on Music Row about the rise of rock and roll and its influence on country music. This led to a concerted effort to promote and develop country music.

42. CMA’s Membership Structure: The CMA membership is composed of those persons or organizations that are involved in country music directly and substantially. The organization has evolved over the years to include 15 individual membership categories and organizational memberships.

43. CMA’s Impact on Country Music Industry: The CMA has had a significant impact on the country music industry. It has provided a platform for artists to receive recognition and has helped shape the genre through its various awards and initiatives.

44. Future of CMA Awards: As the CMA continues to evolve, it remains committed to promoting and developing country music. The annual CMA Awards ceremony will continue to celebrate outstanding achievements in the genre, ensuring its place as one of the most prestigious music awards programs in the world.

45. Nominees for 2023 Awards: The nominees for the 2023 CMA Awards included artists in various categories such as Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Musician of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and New Artist of the Year.

The Legacy of the CMA Awards

The CMA Awards have been a cornerstone of country music since 1967. From honoring legends like George Strait and Loretta Lynn to recognizing rising stars, the CMAs celebrate the genre's rich history and evolving future. With categories like Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year, the awards highlight the best in country music. The CMA Fest and Touring Awards further showcase the industry's talent. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the CMAs continue to adapt and thrive. The awards not only honor artists but also play a crucial role in promoting country music globally. As the CMAs evolve, they remain a vital part of the music landscape, ensuring country music's legacy endures. The CMA Awards are more than just trophies; they're a celebration of the heart and soul of country music.