2015 CMA Awards Program Book

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A WA R D S

W E D N E S D A Y, N O V E M B E R 4 , 2 0 1 5

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Table of Contents ADVERTISERS INDEX 4 Appearing at the CMA Awards 8 Welcome from President Barack Obama 10 Welcome from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry

12 Welcome from CMA Board Chairman Frank Bumstead and President John Esposito

ASCAP

Back cover

BMI

Inside back cover

AT&T

5 ABC 1 ASCAP 31 Bridgestone Arena 27 Bud Light

14 Welcome from CMA CEO Sarah Trahern

33 Carl Black Chevrolet Nashville

16 Nominees Announcement

3 Chevrolet

18 “The 49 th Annual CMA Awards” Nominees

91 CMA Awards 50 th Anniversary 93 CMA Awards Merchandise

20 Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood

83 CMA Country Christmas/Toys For Tots

22 Entertainer of the Year Nominees

52 CMA Foundation

32 Nominated Artists

57 CMA Music Festival 2016 9 Colgate

54 Musician of the Year Nominees

23 Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

56 Nominated Producers

19 Country Outfitters

60 Music Video of the Year Nominees

41 Dassault Falcon 7 Delta

62 Song of the Year Nominees

53 DeWitt Stern Group

64 CMA’s Country Music Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees

29 Greenberg Traurig

68 Platinum Organizational CMA Members 69 Organizational CMA Members

51 Hemphill Brothers Coach Company 21 Hilton Nashville 59 Make-A-Wish

74 Past CMA Awards Winners

37 Merrill Lynch

80 CMA Broadcast Awards

31 Music Makes Us/Metro Nashville Public Schools

84 CMA Board of Directors

25 Nash Country Weekly 11 Patrón Spirits Company

86 2014 CMA Awards Presenters and Red Carpet Arrivals

15 People Country

88 2014 CMA Awards Performers

13 Pepsi (Mountain Dew)

90 2014 CMA Awards Winners

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Inside front cover

17 SESAC 37 Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center

92 CMA Awards Partners

47 Warner Bros.

94 Credits

Special thanks to all of the CMA Awards Program Book Advertisers!

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

THE BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR.

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nominees announcement

were live from the heart of New York City’s Time Square on Wednesday, Sept. 9 to reveal the final round of nominees for “The 49th Annual CMA Awards.”

The first announcements were broadcast live on ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” including nominees for Album, Vocal Group, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year.

Following “Good Morning America,” Ballerini and Tyler announced the remaining seven categories via a livestream on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo and ABCNews.com. This marked the 10th year ABC has helped kick off CMA Awards season.

Ballerini also spent time at ABC Radio in New York City on Wednesday calling the 2015 CMA Broadcast Awards nominees.

Ballerini wrapped up the day in Bryant Park where she performed “Nashville’s New Music in New York” presented by the Grand Ole Opry and Southwest Airlines. At the show, she met with teachers and leaders from CMA Foundation charity partner Education Through Music (ETM), which partners with inner-city schools to provide music as a core subject for all children.

“GOOD MORNING AMERICA” HOST ROBIN ROBERTS JOINS STEVEN TYLER AND KELSEA BALLERINI.

STEVEN TYLER AND KELSEA BALLERINI ANNOUNCE NOMINEES FOR “THE 49 TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS.”

KELSEA BALLERIN WITH TEACHERS AND LEADERS FROM CMA FOUNDATION CHARITY PARTNER EDUCATION THROUGH MUSIC (ETM) AFTER A PERFORMANCE IN BRYANT PARK FOR “NASHVILLE’S NEW MUSIC IN NEW YORK” PRESENTED

BY THE GRAND OLE OPRY AND SOUTHWEST AIRLINES.

KELSEA BALLERINI AT ABC RADIO IN NEW YORK CITY.

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photos: GMA – ABC / Ida Mae Astute;Radio – Jeff Neira / ABC;Education Through Music – Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Kelsea Ballerini and Steven Tyler

t h e

a r t i s t s

•

T h e

sesac

h i t s

c o n g r at u l at es o u r

2015 CMA cma nominees

Lady Antebellum

Zac Brown Band

Rob Hatch

Thompson Square

Adam Shoenfield Brice Long

Jaron Boyer Jerry Salley

sesac.com

the nominees

ENTERTAINER

SINGLE

ALBUM

MUSIC VIDEO

OF THE YEAR

OF THE YEAR

OF THE YEAR

OF THE YEAR

GARTH BROOKS

“AMERICAN KIDS”

OLD BOOTS, NEW DIRT

LUKE BRYAN KENNY CHESNEY ERIC CHURCH

Kenny Chesney Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney Blue Chair Records /Columbia Nashville

“GIRL CRUSH”

MIRANDA LAMBERT

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

KELSEA BALLERINI MIRANDA LAMBERT KACEY MUSGRAVES CARRIE UNDERWOOD

MALE VOCALIST

LUKE BRYAN ERIC CHURCH BLAKE SHELTON

OF THE YEAR

BROTHERS OSBORNE DAN + SHAY FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE MADDIE & TAE THOMPSON SQUARE

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“TAKE YOUR TIME”

THE BIG REVIVAL

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard Legacy Recordings

LADY ANTEBELLUM

VOCAL DUO

Little Big Town Produced by Jay Joyce Capitol Records Nashville

DJANGO AND JIMMIE

OF THE YEAR

ZAC BROWN BAND

Lee Brice Produced by Lee Brice Curb Records

OF THE YEAR

VOCAL GROUP

THE BAND PERRY

PAIN KILLER

MUSICAL EVENT

CHRIS STAPLETON

RASCAL FLATTS

“I DON’T DANCE”

Eric Church Produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr. EMI Records Nashville

DIERKS BENTLEY

LITTLE BIG TOWN

Little Big Town Produced by Jay Joyce Capitol Records Nashville

“TALLADEGA”

OF THE YEAR

“LONELY TONIGHT”

Blake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville

“RAISE ‘EM UP”

Keith Urban featuring Eric Church Hit Red Records/Capitol Records Nashville

“SMOKIN’ AND DRINKIN’”

Miranda Lambert featuring Little Big Town RCA Nashville

“WILD CHILD”

Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville

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PAGEANT MATERIAL

Kacey Musgraves Produced by Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, and Shane McAnally Mercury Nashville

Sam Hunt Produced by Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally MCA Nashville

LEE ANN WOMACK

Jason Aldean Produced by Michael Knox Broken Bow

“BISCUITS”

Kacey Musgraves Directed by Marc Klasfeld

“GIRL CRUSH”

Little Big Town Directed by Karla Welch and Matthew Welch

“GIRL IN A COUNTRY SONG” Maddie & Tae Directed by TK McKamy

“LITTLE RED WAGON” Miranda Lambert Directed by Trey Fanjoy

Kenny Chesney Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville

“SOMETHING IN THE WATER”

TRAVELLER

MUSICIAN

Chris Stapleton Produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton Mercury Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR

“AMERICAN KIDS”

Written by Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally

“GIRL CRUSH”

Written by Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey

“LIKE A COWBOY”

Written by Randy Houser and Brice Long

“LIKE A WRECKING BALL”

Written by Eric Church and Casey Beathard

“TAKE YOUR TIME”

Written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne

Carrie Underwood Directed by Raj Kapoor

OF THE YEAR

SAM BUSH Mandolin

JERRY DOUGLAS Dobro

PAUL FRANKLIN Steel Guitar

DANN HUFF Guitar

MAC McANALLY Guitar

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

KELSEA BALLERINI SAM HUNT MADDIE & TAE THOMAS RHETT CHRIS STAPLETON

HOSTS

BRAD PAISLE Y and CARRIE UNDERWOOD Country superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return for the eighth consecutive year as hosts, bringing their chemistry, impeccable comic timing and critical acclaim to “Country Music’s Biggest Night™.”

2008

Year after year, this powerful duo has kept audiences worldwide entertained with plenty of surprises, special guests and lots of laughs.

Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts joins Little Big Town and Darius Rucker for the live televised announcement of CMA Awards nominees.

Tonight will be one of those classic nights in CMA Awards history. That is thanks to the hard work and dedication that Brad and Carrie bring, and a big part of why the televised show is treasured by Country fans everywhere.

2009

2011

2012

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2010

live photos: Donn Jones and John Russell; PR photo: Bob D'Amico/ABC

Garth brooks 22 |

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photo: courtesy of Garth Brooks

Entertainer of the Year Nominee

to the 2015 COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

GRADY MARTIN JIM ED BROWN AND THE BROWNS THE OAK RIDGE BOYS Election to the Country Music Hall of Fame is country music’s highest honor. New members are elected annually by an anonymous panel of industry leaders chosen by the Country Music Association. The CMA created the accolade in 1961 to recognize significant contributions to the advancement of country music by individuals in both the creative and business communities. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is proud to exhibit the bronze plaques commemorating membership.

Downtown Nashville • CountryMusicHallofFame.org

LUKE BRYAN 24 |

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photo: courtesy of Luke Bryan

Entertainer of the Year Nominee

kenny chesney 26 |

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photo: courtesy of Kenny Chesney

Entertainer of the Year Nominee

eric church 28 |

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photo: courtesy of Eric Church

Entertainer of the Year Nominee

CONGRATULATIONS

Es p Le ecia e l Ke Bri ly ou rC c Ro nny e lien Ch d ts n Je rry ey C esne Flo Do law y r i Ch da ugl son a Mi arles Geo s r r Lit and Kell gia L a t ine Sh le B Lam ey i Ka ane g To ber Mc wn t Wi cey llie Mu Anal Th l om Nels sgra y Le ve e A as R on s nn he Wo tt ma ck

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Contact: Jess L Rosen / Joel A. Katz in Atlanta at 678.553.2100. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. *Operates as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP. 26160

miranda lambert 30 |

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photo: Randee St. Nicholas

Entertainer of the Year Nominee

F R O M B A C K S TA G E T O O N S TA G E A N D E V E R YO N E I N B E T W E E N THANK YOU FOR MAKING BRIDGESTONE ARENA #1

2015 EVENTS

BRIDGESTONEARENA.COM

ARENA OF THE YEAR

Monster Jam • Eric Church • Linkin Park • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Legends • Jack White • AMSOIL Arenacross • Winter Jam • Disney Junior Live • Jason Aldean WWE Raw • Charlie Wilson • Maroon 5 • Chris Brown & Trey Songz • SEC Men’s Tournament • Fleetwood Mac • Kenny Chesney (x2) • Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band • Nickelback Stevie Wonder • Alan Jackson • Kevin Hart (x2) • Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Headliner Concert with Martina McBride • Zac Brown Band • The Who • Nitro Circus Live • NKOTB CMT Music Awards • Sesame Street Live • Black & Brown Comedy Get Down • Imagine Dragons • Train • WWE Live • Fall Out Boy & Wiz Khalifa • Beachbody Conference • Outcry Tour Shania Twain • SEND North America Conference • UFC Fight Night • Volunteer Jam • Tim McGraw • Def Leppard • PBR Varekai by Cirque du Soleil • Kelly Clarkson • Lady Antebellum Ed Sheeran • Ariana Grande • Taylor Swift (x2) • Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate • Foo Fighters • CMA Awards • World Outreach Church “Give Thanks” • Shinedown & Breaking Benjamin • Dead & Company • WWE Raw • Toby Mac

Nominated Artists

Jason Alde an album of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Celebrated his 16th consecutive No. 1 with the song "Tonight Looks Good on You"

Continuing his effort to help the Susan G. Komen breast cancer programs, he honored one breast cancer survivor and a guest at each of his Burn It Down Tour dates

Extended his sold out Burn It Down Tour into 2015

photo: Jim Wright

Kelse a Ballerini female vocalist and new artist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Personally called all 2015 Broadcast CMA Awards finalists for Radio Personality and Station of the year in partnership with ABC Radio Hitting the road with Dan + Shay on the Just the Right Kind of Crazy Tour for a handful of dates

Celebrated her first No. 1 song "Love Me Like You Mean It," the first female solo artist since Carrie Underwood to have her debut song achieve that milestone

photo: Brad Lovell

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Nominated Artists

Dierks Bentle y male vocalist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR For his latest music video for "Riser" he casted Amy, a formerly homeless mother of two — representing the inspirational story behind the song

Headlined NYC's first Country Music festival called Farmborough on Randall's Island in June

Opened his second Whiskey Row restaurant in Arizona, which includes live music, a signature menu and a back porch playground

photo: Nino Munoz

Lee Brice single of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Will be the first Country artist to play a show in each of the 50 states this year

Created and released a mix tape called Til' Summer's Gone as a way to share more music with fans, which he gave out at his CMA Music Festival fan club party

Started the "Label Me Proud" campaign where proceeds from the exclusive t-shirt go directly to Folds of Honor, a charity benefitting families of fallen and disabled veterans

photo: Joseph Llanes

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Garth Brooks entertainer of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Continued world tour with wife Trisha Yearwood, playing multiple dates per city and breaking records for tickets sold in places like San Diego and Phoenix For the first half of 2015, the tour ranked No. 1 for ticket sales of 1.2 million total and No. 2 for gross profit behind The Rolling Stones Launched Ghost Tunes, which offers fans a new way to buy his music, stream purchased songs and get links to concert tickets

photo: Mark Tucker/NSA PR

Brothers Osborne vocal duo of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Made videos with tour mates A Thousand Horses and Darius Rucker, where they jammed on songs like "She's Gone Away" Named one of the "30 Best Things We Saw at CMA Music Fest 2015" by Rolling Stone for their guitar solos Released the single "Stay A Little Longer" to Country radio in March

JOHN and TJ OSBORNE photo: Sonya Jasinski

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Nominated Artists

Luke Bryan entertainer and male vocalist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Released his album Kill The Lights in August with 320,063 first week sales, earning him the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart

Launched a #LukeBox project in collaboration with Target to promote his album, where he tweeted personalized songs out to fans based on their requests Kick The Dust Up Tour sold out six consecutive stadium shows in addition to arenas

photo: courtesy Schmidt PR

Kenny Chesne y entertainer, single, album and musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Had four consecutive No. 1 singles from his album The Big Revival, including the recent hit "Save It For A Rainy Day" Played for more than 120,000 fans over two shows at Gillette Stadium on his Big Revival Tour, topping 750,000 career attendance at that stadium In partnership with Costa Del Mar Sunglasses & The Coast Conservation Association / Building Conservation Trust, helped fund two man-made "No Shoes Reefs" to help the St. John River habitat, which he visited in June

photo: Allister Ann/EB Media

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CONGR ATUL ATIONS TO THE 49TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS NOMINEES! The Private Banking and Investment Group at Merrill Lynch is committed to supporting individuals and organizations that inspire and enrich our lives through their dedication to the world of arts and culture. Life’s better when we’re connected®

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Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a registered broker-dealer and Member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. The Private Banking and Investment Group is a division of MLPF&S that offers a broad array of personalized wealth management products and services.

Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA®) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst®. Use of CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst® signifies that the user has successfully completed IMCA’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management consultants. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM in the U.S. The Bull Symbol, Life’s better when we’re connected and Merrill Lynch are trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. © 2015 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. | ARWDQMDW | AD-10-15-0370 | 444621PM-0615

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Nominated Artists

Eric Church entertainer, single, song, male vocalist and musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Played the opening night of Nashville's new Ascend Amphitheater Started hosting a radio show one hour per month called Outsiders Radio on SiriusXM, showcasing his favorite music with commentary In September joined ESPN’s College GameDay as a guest celebrity “picker,” guessing the winners of the day’s college football games

photo: Carlos Ruiz

Dan

+ Shay

vocal duo of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Toured all over the United States for the Where It All Began Tour with Canaan Smith Posted a video of themselves singing their single "Nothin' Like You" while riding a roller coaster Did a special performance of "Tonight I Want to Cry" with Keith Urban

DAN SMYERS and SHAY MOONEY photo: courtesy of Dan + Shay

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Florida G eorg ia Line vocal duo of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Started their own publishing company called Tree Vibez Music and have recently started signing their first clients Performed on "Good Morning America" as part of the show’s annual summer concert series Sold out their first-ever show at New York City's famed Madison Square Garden

BRIAN KELLEY and TYLER HUBBARD photo: Jeremy Cowart

Merle Haggard musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Released an album of duets with Willie Nelson called Django and Jimmie which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart Toured extensively throughout 2015 across the United States, including some dates with Nelson Contributed to Don Henley's Country album on the song, "The Cost of Living"

photo: Danny Clinch

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Nominated Artists

Sam Hunt single, song and new artist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Sold out the 15 dates of his first headlining tour — the Lipstick Graffiti Tour — in minutes, and joined Lady Antebellum on the road

His debut album Montevallo was the best-selling Country debut since 2011 with a No.1 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart; has since sold over 700,000

Was featured on the cover of Billboard magazine as one of their "Men of Style"

photo: Chase Lauer

L ady Antebellum vocal group of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Took the Wheels Up Tour across the country with Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt Donated $400,000 of ticket sales to LadyAID on behalf of the fans, which will help children in Middle Tennessee and globally Continued their 7FOR7 campaign this summer by giving seven fans a year's worth of mortgage payments in partnership with Quicken Loans DAVE HAYWOOD, HILLARY SCOTT and CHARLES KELLEY photo: Nino Munoz

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Nominated Artists

Miranda L ambert entertainer, female vocalist, music video and musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Established the Miranda Lambert Women Creators Fund as a scholarship for Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business from the profits of her unplugged "Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars" show Wrote the song "Two of a Crime" for the film "Hot Pursuit" when star Reese Witherspoon personally requested she contribute to the soundtrack Toured across the country for the Certified Platinum Tour with openers Justin Moore, RaeLynn, Sunny Sweeney, Ashley Monroe and Danielle Bradbery photo: Randee St. Nicholas

Little Big Town single, album, vocal group, music video and musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR "Girl Crush" broke records by spending 11 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart — the longest run by a group

Brought Country Music to the UK in February, with tour dates in London, Manchester and Glasgow

Kicked off their fall Pain Killer Tour on Oct. 8 with Drake White and Cam KIMBERLY SCHLAPMAN, JIMI WESTBROOK, KAREN FAIRCHILD and PHILLIP SWEET photo: Matthew Welch

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Maddie

& Tae

vocal duo, new artist and music video of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Released debut album Start Here on Dot Records, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Chart

Visited Disney World for an event where they hung out with fans at Epcot and performed three shows in the theme park

Their No. 1 hit single "Girl In A Country Song" was certified Platinum for over 1 million units sold

MADISON MARLOW and TAYLOR DYE photo: Allister Ann

Ashle y Monroe musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Peformed a concert for NPR Music at WNYC’s Greene Space in NYC in July

Performed "I Buried Your Love Alive" on Conan, "Winning Streak" on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," and "The Blade" on "The View"

Celebrated the release of her album The Blade with a party featuring performances by friends Vince Gill and Miranda Lambert

photo: Joseph Llanesz

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Nominated Artists

Kace y Musgraves female vocalist, album and music video of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Started her Rhinestone Revue Tour, which included two sold out shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with special guests Sheryl Crow and Buddy Miller Released a video with the legendary Willie Nelson for the song "Are You Sure" Released her sophomore album Pageant Material, which included a special pink vinyl version of the record

photo: David McClister

Willie Nelson musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Headlined The 30th Annual Farm Aid in Chicago for which he has been a long-time supporter The film "Willie Nelson: The Love of Horses" — which showcases his work with the Animal Welfare Institute, won a "People's Telly" Silver Award Wrote autobiography, It's a Long Story: My Life, detailing his personal life and musical career

photo: ShockInk.com

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Grace Potter musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Released her debut solo album called Midnight, and The New York Times called her "a solo artist in full control" Toured in the fall at iconic venues like Radio City Music Hall and Red Rocks Amphitheatre Kenny Chesney stopped by her Grand Point North festival to join her in performing her single "Wild Child"

photo: Williams + Hirakawa

Thomas Rhett new artist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Hosted the "Tangled Up in Texas" event at AT&T Stadium, where he performed new music and hosted the world's largest game of Twister Had fans help him decide which design would be used for the cover art for Tangled Up For his CMA Music Festival fan club party, worked with fans to help the charity Outnumber Hunger for the fourth year

photo: John Peets

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Nominated Artists

Rasc al Fl atts vocal group of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Contributed to the We Love Disney compilation by covering "Let It Go" with Lucy Hale Performed with The Rolling Stones for their Zip Code Tour in Indianapolis on the Fourth of July Held a nine-show residency at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, where they performed their well known hits with a "new flavor"

GARY LeVOX, JOE DON ROONEY and JAY DeMARCUS photo: Sheryl Nields

Bl ake Shelton male vocalist and musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Hosted and performed as a musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" in January Reached a career milestone of 20 No. 1 hits when his song "Sangria" reached the top of the charts Invited fans to watch a free outdoor concert in front of Warner Music Nashville for their "Pickin' On The Patio" series

photo: courtesy of Blake Shelton

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Bl ake Shelton Male Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Hosted and performed as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live in January

• Reached a career milestone of 20 No. 1 hits when his song "Sangria" reached the top of the charts

• Invited fans to watch a free outdoor concert in front of Warner Music Nashville for their "Pickin' On The Patio" series

photo: John Peets

Chris Stapleton Album of the Year, Male Vocalist, New Artist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Received great press including cover stories for American Songwriter and ASCAP's Playback magazine, along with being one of the last artists to debut on The Late Show with David Letterman

• Turned his extremely successful songwriter career into an artist career when he released his debut album Traveller in May

• Released a limited edition vinyl to support Record Store Day that included three songs

photo: John Peets

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Nominated Artists

Chris Stapleton album, male vocalist and new artist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Was one of the last artists to perform on "The Late Show with David Letterman" Released his debut album, Traveller, in May Released a limited edition vinyl to support Record Store Day that included three new songs

photo: Becky Fluke

The Band Perry vocal group of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Released "Live Forever" as the lead single off their upcoming third album, co-produced by RedOne Performed on "We Day" which was a televised event that encourages young people to stand up for causes they believe in Toured the country throughout the year, including stops at Country Jam, iHeartRadio Country Festival and the Tortuga Music Festival NEIL, KIMBERLY and REID PERRY photo: courtesy of The Band Perry

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Thomp son Square vocal duo of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Performed at a United Service Organizations benefit where 100% of proceeds went to the Middle Tennessee chapter of USO. Were joined on stage by Ricky Skaggs at a performance at the Grand Ole Opry this July Released new single "Trans Am" to radio in April, co-written by the duo, Blair Daly (Uncle Kracker) and Nathan Chapman.

SHAWNA and KEIFER THOMPSON photo: Dove Shore

C arrie Underwood female vocalist and music video of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Became the first Country artist to headline a show at the Apple Music Festival in London Debuted her latest single "Smoke Break" on "The Tonight Show," and the song received the most one-week adds at Country radio in the history of Country Aircheck Celebrated Oct. 23 release of new album Storyteller with outdoor performance on NBC’s Today

photo: Jeremy Cowart

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Nominated Artists

Keith Urban musical event of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Became the first Country artist in four decades to play the main stage of the Festival d'ete de Quebec Judged his third season of "American Idol" and is currently working on the show's final season Released new single "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16"

photo: courtesy UMG Nashville

Lee Ann Womack female vocalist of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Released her first album in six years The Way I'm Livin’ Supported Record Store Day by releasing a stripped down three-song EP produced with husband Frank Liddell and Richard Bennett Played three sold out dates at Nashville's City Winery, which had to be rescheduled due to a rare Southern winter storm

photo: John Scarpati

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Zac Brown Band vocal group of the year HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Sold out three shows at Boston's Fenway Park, setting an attendance record with 105,000 fans seeing them across three nights Released Jekyll + Hyde with guests Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, Sara Bareilles and Jason Isbell Partnered with lifestyle brand Life Is Good on Camp Southern Ground, a project that gives kids of all abilities an incredible outdoor experience photo: Danny Clinch

CHRIS FRYAR, CLAY COOK, JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS, ZAC BROWN, JIMMY De MARTINI, MATT MANGANO, DANIEL De LOS REYES and COY BOWLES

photo: John Peets

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

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WELCOME " COUNTRY MUSIC ' S BIGGEST NIGHTTM” W EDNESDAY

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NOV 4, 2015

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BRIDGESTONE A REN A

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N A SH V ILLE, TENNESSEE

4:00 PM

RED CARPET ARRIVALS BEGIN | CMA AWARDS BACKSTAGE STARTS AT CMAAWARDS.COM

6:00 PM

BRIDGESTONE ARENA DOORS OPEN

6:15 PM PRE-BROADCAST PRESENTATIONS 7:00 PM

LIVE THREE-HOUR BROADCAST ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

10:00 PM

CMA AWARDS AFTER PARTY (INVITATION ONLY)

Welcome to the 49 th installment of “Country Music’s Biggest Night™!” Wherever you are — tuning in on the ABC Television Network, sharing Red Carpet photos with fans at home, or joining us live in the audience — we’re excited you are here to witness legendary Country Music moments on the CMA Awards stage.

What we see tonight will be talked about, recalled and discussed for many, many years to come!

Thank you for being part of CMA Awards history!

In 1967, CMA held the first CMA Awards — known at the time as the “Banquet and Show” — to recognize the most deserving in our industry.

Tonight we continue this tradition and celebrate with a year-end gala by honoring the genre’s best. We gather every November to deliver the iconic crystal CMA Award trophy to the talented artists, producers, songwriters and directors who deserve Country Music’s highest honors.

Thank you to all of the nominees and winners for making 2015 another banner year for Country!

We are most excited to have Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood back as our illustrious hosts! They are supremely talented hosts and consistently entertain us with unique wit, brilliance, charm and humor.

Fans, take note that CMA is providing more ways than ever to engage with the CMA Awards. You can find exclusive behind-the-scenes access tonight at CMAawards.com, including live backstage interviews withYOUTUBE the starsLOGO plus SPECS insider views of the Red Carpet. Throughout the night, we encourage use of the hashtag #CMAawards on social media to help celebrate our amazing Country superstars! Also, make sure to share your on light backgrounds on dark backgrounds experience through Snapchat tonight, and follow along with the CMA Awards Live Story and CMAsnaps account.

Now, it’s time for history to be made. It’s time to honor Country Music. It’s time to witness powerful performances, to be surprised by special guest appearances — and to celebrate all of our nominees.

Most importantly, from all of us at CMA, we hope you enjoy the show!

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T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

CMAawards.com | #CMAawards

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JENNIFER NETTLES

THURSDAY DEC 3 9|8c Pe r f o r m a n c e s b y C H A R L E S K E L L E Y O F L A DY A N T E B E L LU M DA N + S H AY DA R I U S R U C K E R DAV I D N A I L JEWEL KELSEA BALLERINI LEANN RIMES LINDSEY STIRLING M A R T I N A M C B R I D E w / M I C H A E L W. S M I T H M I C K E Y G U Y TO N P E N TATO N I X CMAchristmas.com #CMAchristmas

©2015 Country Music Association, Inc. Talent appearing in 2015 “CMA Country Christmas” subject to change. Full show details at CMAchristmas.com.

THANK YOU to the artists, music

community, corporate partners and more for helping the CMA Foundation invest more than $11 million in improving kids’ lives

Charles Esten, star of the ABC Television Network hit show "Nashville," visits students at the Nashville School of the Arts.

through music.

Maddie & Tae work with student performers at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville

Rascal Flatts visit students in Los Angeles in support of music education

Thomas Rhett welcomes students at the Nashville Children's Theatre

Teachers in New York meet Brett James, Kip Moore and Jaren Johnston at the CMA Songwriters Series

CMA Foundation ambassador Keith Urban performs at CMA Music Festival with kids from after school music program Notes for Notes

Hunter Hayes performs and helps open a recording studio for learning at the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta

Little Big Town meet students at sound check during CMA Music Festival in Nashville

Frankie Ballard at the Sports Academics Youth Detroit Play Center in Detroit

MUSICIAN of the Year Nominees

SAM BUSH mandolin 2015 SELECT DISCOGRAPHY Theatrical release of Revival: The Sam Bush Story movie Hand In Hand – Richie Furay Transatlantic Sessions: The Best of Folk, Vol. 1 (featured artist, mandolin and vocal harmony)

JERRY DOUGLAS dobro

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photos: courtesy of the musicians; McAnally – ShockInk.com

2015 SELECT DISCOGRAPHY Transatlantic Sessions: The Best of Folk, Vol. 1 (arranger, Dobro, lap steel guitar, music direction, primary artist and vocal harmony) Blackbirds – Gretchen Peters RADIO – Steep Canyon Rangers A Prairie Home Companion: Duets 2 — Various

PAUL FRANKLIN steel guitar 2015 SELECT DISCOGRAPHY The Blade – Ashley Monroe Pageant Material – Kacey Musgraves Love Somebody – Reba McEntire Angels and Alcohol – Alan Jackson About to Get Real – Easton Corbin

DANN HUFF guitar 2015 SELECT DISCOGRAPHY Summer Forever – Billy Currington Start Here – Maddie & Tae I’ll Be Me [Original Soundtrack] – Glen Campbell First Kiss – Kid Rock All-Time Greatest Hits – LeAnn Rimes

Mac M c Anally guitar 2015 SELECT DISCOGRAPHY Aka Nobody – Mac McAnally Strangers Again – Judy Collins I’ll Be Me [Original Soundtrack] – Glen Campbell Be Still and Know…Hymns & Faith – Amy Grant

T H E 49 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

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NOMINATED PRODUCERS

ARTURO BUENAHORA JR. single of the year

DAVE COBB album of the year Traveller

“Talladega”

BUDDY CANNON

ZACH CROWELL

single of the year

single of the year

“American Kids”

“Take Your Time”

album of the year The Big Revival

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photos: courtesy of the producers; Cobb – Michael W. Bunch for the Nashville Scene

continued on page 58 ...

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS.

The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience

NOMINATED PRODUCERS ... continued from page 56

JAY JOYCE

LUKE LAIRD

single of the year

album of the year

“Girl Crush”

Pageant Material

“Talladega” album of the year Pain Killer

MICHAEL KNOX album of the year Old Boots, New Dirt

SHANE MCANALLY single of the year “Take Your Time” album of the year

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photos: courtesy of the producers

Pageant Material

Emilee Langley Peyton Sanchez Emma Selden Alyssa Willis WELCOME TO THE 2015 CMA AWARDS! THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR SPECIAL GUESTS THIS EVENING. MAKEEAAWISH MIDDLE TENNESSEE IS HONORED TO GRANT YOUR ONE TRUE WISH!

appearing

LINDSEY STIRLING

JASON ALDEAN

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

FALL OUT BOY

THOMAS RHETT

BRETT ELDREDGE

BRAD PAISLEY

BLAKE SHELTON

KACEY MUSGRAVES

SAM HUNT

MIRANDA LAMBERT

LUKE BRYAN

HANK WILLIAMS JR.

CHARLES KELLEY

LEE ANN WOMACK

KENNY CHESNEY

LITTLE BIG TOWN

ERIC CHURCH

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

PENTATONIX

photos: courtesy of the celebrities

KELSEA BALLERINI

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

MADDIE & TAE

CHRIS STAPLETON

KIEFER SUTHERLAND

BETTY CANTRELL

JOHN MELLENCAMP

…AND MORE, INCLUDING LEE CORSO, HANNAH DAVIS, KIRK HERBSTREIT, HEATHER O’REILLY and MEGAN RAPINOE

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KEITH URBAN

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Music Video of the Year Nominees

“BISCUITS” KACEY MUSGRAVES; DIRECTED BY MARC KLASFELD Starting in black-and-white as a flashback to older, simpler times, Kacey Musgraves sits on a stool churning butter in her music video for "Biscuits," reminding the audience “if you ain’t got nothin’ nice to say, don’t say nothin’ at all” before the red curtains come down and convert it to a whimsical barnyard dance party. The Country songstress takes center stage barefoot, twirling around to the band in her pink cowgirl dress with folks dancing all around her, plus a few chickens and a horse. Keeping with the folksy elements of the song, the colorful video also incorporates a few things you may not find on a farm, like a man dressed as a corn cob riding a horse and a puppet playing the violin.

MARC KLASFELD

“GIRL CRUSH” LITTLE BIG TOWN ; DIRECTED BY KARLA WELCH and MATTHEW WELCH Focusing on the four members of the band, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet stand in perfect stillness on stage as the black-and-white music video for “Girl Crush” begins with a sense of heartache and desire. The slow-burning video features close-ups of each member as they deliver a tender performance, with Fairchild looking deeply at times into a close up camera as she tells the story of the desperate heart-wrenching “crush.” As if playing to an almost empty gymnasium in a decades-old past, a silver disco ball is integrated throughout the video as its reflection incandescently glistens on the silhouette of a young couple slow dancing beneath it. The video draws to a close with a full shot of the band standing on stage — then it slowly fades away to all-black emphasizing the emotional sense of longing in the music and lyrics.

KARLA WELCH and MATTHEW WELCH

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“GIRL

IN A COUNTRY SONG ”

MADDIE & TAE; DIRECTED BY TK McKAMY In “Girl in a Country Song,” the Country duo are shown writing a song together. But the real stars of this video are three overly-friendly Country bros who learn what it’s like to be the song’s “girl.” At first, the guys are in a pickup truck bed whistling at two attractive females. Then Maddie and Tae switch a lever on a “Role Reversal” box. With a healthy dose of humor, the bros strut their stuff in short shorts, crop tops and boots. They get drenched in soap suds while washing a pickup truck — in slow motion.

Maddie and Tae strum guitars and sing on the bed of a pickup truck at night, showing off their resilience. As it closes, the girls are laughing at the absurdity — then it cuts to a transformed bro giving a sassy wink to the camera.

TK McKAMY

“LITTLE RED WAGON” MIRANDA LAMBERT; DIRECTED BY TREY FANJOY Miranda Lambert steps out of her vintage silver trailer looking mighty fine in her jean shorts, red cowboy boots and “big sunglasses” in the beginning of “Little Red Wagon.” She proceeds to walk her sidekick – her little dog — to a motel to check in. Although there’s a sign in the motel office saying “No Pets Allowed,” just like the sassiness tone of the song, Lambert gets her way. Shortly after that, Lambert has the entire staff dancing along to the music as she catches rays out by the pool sippin’ her drink, peeking through her heart-shaped sunglasses and waving at the pool boy. As the video nears the end, Lambert and her dog get back on the endless two-lane road. The sky turns shades of orange from the setting sun and it shines light on her Oklahoma license plate that reads “PLATNM” — referencing the name of her album.

TREY FANJOY

“SOMETHING

IN THE WATER”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD; DIRECTED BY RAJ KAPOOR The scene in “Something in the Water” opens with Carrie Underwood standing in shallow water looking angelic as the spotlight surrounds her and glistens. Multiple dancers beautifully dance around Underwood, giving an uplifting performance. Water sprinkles down from above and the dancers become more energetic as they dance and splash the water-covered ground, and keeping pace with the song’s emotional rise. Soon, a choir dressed in soft pastel colors appears behind Underwood, evoking feelings of an old gospel hymn. The video closes with Underwood standing in the center of the calm shallow water; slowly turning and walking towards a bright light behind her, leaving the audience with feelings of hope and happiness.

RAJ KAPOOR

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RODNEY CLAWSON

SONG of the Year Nominees “AMERICAN KIDS” RODNEY CLAWSON, LUKE LAIRD and SHANE McANALLY The song describes small town life and includes lyrical references to classic rockers including Elton John and Bruce Springsteen and even Cheap Trick, Chesney felt his generation of mid-40-somethings might relate to it, but then realized that the song has even wider appeal.

Source: Radio.com

SHANE McANALLY

‘‘Especially if you come from a small town, I think there’s certain values that are inherent, that are very universal, in how we feel and the fears that we have and the insecurities that we have. There’s probably a lot of kids out there who want to be Drew Brees, or whoever, and they’re told as kids, ‘Well, that’s never really gonna happen for you.’ But it can happen for you. I was that kid, that was dreamin’, that didn’t have enough courage to dream until later on. I would go into the backyard at my grandmother’s house in eastern Tennessee and stare at the sky and wonder if there was anything for me past my county line. I think there’s a lot of kids out there like that, a lot of people who had that emotion. And I think that goes to the heart of ‘American Kids.’”

LUKE LAIRD

‘‘’American Kids’ was that one thing that I was looking for that was different,‘‘ Chesney said in the interview. ‘‘There’ s not that many of those songs around. We’re an industry of chasers and copycats, we really are.

That’s just the way it is. And when you hear something completely different… I knew when I heard that song, that I was going to record it.

“GIRL CRUSH”

LORI McKENNA

LIZ ROSE

LIZ ROSE, LORI McKENNA and HILLARY LINDSEY From the first guitar lick of Little Big Town’s ‘‘Girl Crush,‘‘ you’re instantly transported back in time to the 1950s doo-wop days. The retro, stripped down track coupled with Karen Fairchild’s smoky vocals makes ‘‘Girl Crush‘‘ an immediate knockout. While Fairchild’s vocal ability soars on ‘‘Girl Crush,‘‘ it’s the song’s unique storyline that first drew me in. An incredibly rare take on jealousy, Fairchild sings about wishing she was her ex’s new flame.

The song was penned by Nashville hitmakers Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose and according to Fairchild, was written like a good ole Country jealousy story. ‘‘I think we’ve all felt that, where we’ve lost a relationship and been rejected and we look at, ‘What did he want that I didn’t have?’’’ Fairchild told Radio.com last year. ‘‘I think it’s a really easy thing to relate to, and yet you’ve never heard it said in that way.‘‘

HILLARY LINDSEY

Source: Radio.com

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“LIKE

A COWBOY ”

RANDY HOUSER

RANDY HOUSER and BRICE LONG “[We] wrote it a few years ago,“ Randy Houser told The Boot. “I grew up around the rodeo and around a bunch of cowboys. I always noticed that cowboys traveled. One of my favorite movies of all time was ‘Red Headed Stranger’ and all those old Clint Eastwood movies."

BRICE LONG

Houser adds, “You always see the cowboy going home and resting and trying to plant the fields, and make things easier at home. I kind of felt that musicians these days are a lot like an old cowboy. We go out and try to make our living.

There’s that picture of someone who has to go out and travel for a living, and comes home to their family, and making it work. That’s what it means to me.”

Source: The Boot

“LIKE A WRECKING BALL” Church co-wrote the track with Casey Beathard, who contributed to a number of other songs on The Outsiders. The singer isn’t being shy about the song’s subject matter. “It’s about … It’s about sex,“ Church tells a crowd in a video taken from a live performance at Joe’s Bar in Chicago, before playing the tune.

“I’ve never been a big fan of being cute and using a lot of innuendo. I think if you’re talking about sex, you should just talk about sex.“

ERIC CHURCH

ERIC CHURCH and CASEY BEATHARD

CASEY BEATHARD

SAM HUNT

Source: The Boot

“TAKE

YOUR TIME ”

SAM HUNT, SHANE McANALLY and JOSH OSBORNE

SHANE McANALLY

“The “Take Your Time“ lyrics came about from a phrase songwriter Josh Osborne already had.

‘I kinda had a title that I had mentioned to Sam before, which was ‘Take Your Time.’ When you hear that phrase, it typically means go slow or whatever, but I said if it was a guy saying to a girl, ‘I’m not trying to take your friends away from you, I’m not trying to do this … I just wanna take your time’ — almost like a sales pitch, sort of,“ Osborne recalls. “So Sam said, ‘What if these two ideas were just kinda married together?’’’

JOSH OSBORNE

photos: courtesy of the songwriters

Though the song sounds like it could have been built around a rhythm track, it actually built upward organically from acoustic guitars. Much of Shane McAnally’s contribution was in the construction of the track.

“With Sam, songs are always under construction,“ McAnally explains. “He’s always re-writing verses, calling you and trying to make things more real, more him, sound like how he talks. He has a rhythm with the way he speaks that I’ve never heard. It sounds like singing, and very few people can do it. I don’t know anyone else who can do it right now, certainly not in our genre.’’

Source: Taste of Country T H E 49 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

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COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

In March, the Country Music Association announced the three newest inductees into its Country Music Hall of Fame — Jim Ed Brown and The Browns, Grady Martin and The Oak Ridge Boys. Jim Ed Brown and The Browns (siblings Maxine and Bonnie) will be inducted in the “Veterans Era Artist” category, while The Oak Ridge Boys (Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban) will be inducted in the “Modern Era Artist” category. Martin will be inducted in the “Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980” category, which is awarded every third year in a rotation with the “Non-Performer” and “Songwriter” categories.

The Browns, Martin, and The Oak Ridge Boys increase membership in the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame from 124 to 127 members.

Induction ceremonies for Martin (who passed away in 2001), Jim Ed Brown and The Browns and The Oak Ridge Boys will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater.

Jim Ed passed away in June 2015, and a special ceremony was held in his hospital room; fellow inductee Bill Anderson presented Jim Ed with his Hall of Fame medallion in advance of the official induction ceremony.

Since 2007, the Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, an annual reunion of the Hall of Fame membership, has served as the official rite of induction for new members. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor.

(BACK ROW L-R) THE OAK RIDGE BOYS: DUANE ALLEN, WILLIAM LEE GOLDEN, RICHARD STERBAN and JOE BONSALL (FRONT ROW L-R) THE BROWNS: MAXINE, JIM ED and BONNIE BROWN

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2015 photos: Alan Poizner; archive photos: courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

JIM ED BROWN AND THE BROWNS, GRADY MARTIN and THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

JIM ED BROWN AND THE BROWNS

• Helped define an era while also taking Country Music to wider, more cosmopolitan audiences.

• Siblings Jim Ed (born April 1, 1934 in Sparkman, Ark.), Maxine (born April 27, 1931 in Campti, La.) and Bonnie (July 31, 1937 in Sparkman, Ark.) got their start performing at church and at social functions as teens in Southwestern Arkansas.

• Cut across genres using smooth three-part harmonies, centered on Jim Ed’s rich baritone and complemented by Maxine’s alto and Bonnie’s breathy soprano.

• Perhaps the most important vocal group of the Nashville Sound era; harmonies were among the most influential of the time, influencing groups like the Beatles and Osborne Brothers.

• Got their start when Maxine signed Jim Ed up for a talent contest on Little Rock radio station KLRA’s “Barnyard Frolic.” Brown didn’t win, but was invited to join the cast.

• Maxine joined Jim Ed as a duo and had quick success; joined the popular “Louisiana Hayride” in 1954 and recorded surprise hit “Looking Back to See” that rose to No. 8 on Billboard’s Country chart.

• Bonnie joined in 1955; scored another hit, “Here Today and Gone Tomorrow.”

• Toured with good friend Elvis Presley early in their career and helped establish Nashville as Music City, USA, along with acts like Presley and the Everly Brothers.

• Signed with RCA Records in 1955 and teamed with legendary producer Chet Atkins. Went on to record 250 sides with the label, including hits “I Take the Chance” and “I Heard the Bluebirds Sing.” Toured the U.S. relentlessly and also went to Europe with fellow RCA acts.

• Reached new levels of popularity with 1959’s “The Three Bells,” originally performed by Edith Piaf in France. Explored folk and pop modes in their music and it hit No. 1 on the pop and Country charts, and No. 10 on the R&B charts.

• Other hits like “The Old Lamplighter” were widely popular and led to huge television appearances like “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “American Bandstand,” and “The Perry Como Show.”

• Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1963.

• Formally disbanded in 1967 when Maxine and Bonnie chose to retire to raise their young families.

• Jim Ed continued a solo career after the trio separated, scoring Top 10 hits like “Pop a Top,” “Morning,” “Southern Living,” “Sometime Sunshine,” and “It’s That Time of Night.”

• Jim Ed in 1976 began recording duets with Helen Cornelius, earning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year in 1977; recorded memorable hits like “I Don’t Want to Have to Marry You,” which went to No. 1; “Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye”; “Lying In Love With You”; “Fools”; and “Morning Comes Too Early.”

• Jim Ed hosted a number of television shows in the 1980s, including contest show “You Can Be a Star,” and remained a notable figure in Nashville, occasionally appearing on the Opry and hosting “Country Music Greats Radio Show” for more than a decade. continued on page 66 ...

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cma awards

VETERANS ERA ARTIST

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COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ... continued from page 65

GRADY MARTIN RECORDING and/or TOURING MUSICIAN ACTIVE PRIOR TO 1980 • Crafted guitar licks in some of music’s most important and memorable songs, regardless of genre, in a career that spanned five decades and touched millions worldwide.

• Guitar work heard on classics like Marty Robbins’ “El Paso,” Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Crying,” Brenda Lee’s “I’m Sorry,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” and Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

• Best known for work as part of The Nashville A-Team studio musicians who helped define Country Music during the Nashville Sound era.

• Worked with almost all major Country stars of the 1950s and ‘60s, including future fellow Hall of Fame members Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Ray Price and Ernest Tubb.

• Played multiple instruments on “The Three Bells,” a smash hit for fellow 2015 inductees The Browns.

• Session credits span all genres to include legends Joan Baez, JJ Cale, Bing Crosby, Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly, Burl Ives, Elvis Presley and Doc Watson and countless others.

• Only person besides Chet Atkins to record with both Elvis Presley and Hank Williams.

• In early 50s briefly played in Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys as a fiddle player.

• Born Jan. 17, 1929 near Chapel Hill, Tenn. Showed talent for music at a young age; mother taught him to play piano and he learned fiddle and guitar. Fiddle abilities landed a first job at age 15 with radio bandleader Big Jeff Bess in 1944.

• By 20, had his first recording session and joined the Opry house band.

• Went on to become one of Country’s most sought after live performers and held positions in bands of western swing star Paul Howard, the Bailes Brothers and Little Jimmy Dickens; also led Red Foley’s band on ABC-TV’s “Ozark Jubilee.”

• Six-string guitar became preferred instrument in the early 1950s as electric guitar began to proliferate; his talents led to thousands of recording sessions over 30 years in Nashville with top producers including Atkins, Owen Bradley and Don Law. • A member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

• Also led his own band, the Slew Foot Five, and made his own instrumental singles and albums for Decca.

• Returned to the stage in the late 1970s, briefly joining Jerry Reed’s band. After helping cut the soundtrack for Nelson’s “Honeysuckle Rose,” he joined Nelson’s iconic band in 1979; held the position for 16 years until retirement from the road in 1995.

• Died in 2001 at the age of 72.

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THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

archive photos: courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, CMA Archives

(SECOND FROM TOP) IN 1981 OAK RIDGE BOYS PERFORM AT THE 2015 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL (ABOVE) THE OAK RIDGE BOYS WIN SINGLE OF THE YEAR FOR "ELVIRA"

• Started out in traditional Country and gospel during World War II. • Founder Wally Fowler started the group in 1943 in Knoxville, Tenn., as The Georgia Clodhoppers.

• Were initially hired to perform nearby at federal Oak Ridge nuclear research facility for the restricted staff and their families. They appeared so often, changed their name to the Oak Ridge Quartet in 1945, and began performing on the Grand Ole Opry.

• Evolved with the times to help popularize and modernize Country Music far beyond traditional genre and regional lines.

• Had numerous lineup changes in early decades before Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban took control in the 1960s and early 70s.

• The alignment paired high-energy vocal harmonies with secular music and a look and attitude that more accurately reflected the times, characterized by Golden’s magnificent flowing beard and fur coats.

• Contemporary look and increasing focus on modern Country didn’t sit well with traditionalists; struggled for a few years in the early 1970s.

• Popularity soared with 1977 album Y’All Come Back Saloon.

• Landed first No. 1, “I’ll Be True To You,” in 1978.

• Also in 1978, the group sang backup on Paul Simon’s mega-hit “Slip Slidin’ Away,” opening the door to the pop world for the group.

• Accompanied Brenda Lee on her Grammy Award-nominated “Broken Trust” (1980); George Jones on his Country smash “Same Ole Me” (1982); harmonized behind Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bill Monroe, and Leon Russell among many others.

• Biggest hit, 1981’s “Elvira,” was a crossover pop smash; brought one of their five Grammy Awards, went double Platinum; helped bring fun to a genre at a time known for sad, hard times. Also helped propel 1981 album Fancy Free to double Platinum.

• Follow up “Bobbie Sue” was another crossover hit; “Bobbie Sue,” and the album of the same title went Gold.

• 1980 and 1984 Greatest Hits albums are Platinum.

• Current lineup has scored 17 No. 1 hits, released more than 40 albums and achieved sales in excess of 41 million units.

• Classics include “Trying To Love Two Women,” “Beautiful You,” “Fancy Free,” “I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes,” “Make My Life With You,” “Touch A Hand, Make A Friend,” and “It Takes A Little Rain (To Make Love Grow).”

• “American Made” became a national ad jingle. Their “Thank God For Kids” is considered a Country standard.

• Helped open the doors for Country Music on network television, with a number of national televised concerts including HBO and PBS specials, and as hosts and performers on primetime; hosted “The Oak Ridge Boys Live from Las Vegas” series for TNN in the late 1990s.

• Have had 15 CMA Awards nominations and won two: Vocal Group of the Year in 1978 and Single of the Year in 1981 for “Elvira” (the group’s backing band won CMA Instrumental Group of the Year in 1978 and 1986).

• Have participated in decades of philanthropic endeavors including Feed the Children, the Boy Scouts of America, and the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

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cma awards

MODERN ERA ARTIST

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CMA Platinum Members

smith exploration

RILEY WARNOCK

68 |

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

& JACOBSON

ORGANIZATIONAL CMA MEMBERS PLATINUM

NASH FM 94.7 New York, NY

Palisades Hudson Financial Group Scarsdale, NY

Klindt, Cole & Associates Nashville, TN

ANConnect, LLC Amarillo, TX

Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

Nashville, TN

Parllay Kirkland, WA

MV2 Entertainment Nashville, TN

Arista Nashville Nashville, TN

RCA Nashville Nashville, TN

PepsiCo Nashville, TN

On The Rhodes Entertainment Nashville, TN

ASCAP Nashville, TN

RIAA Washington, DC

Sun Ticket Company Nashville, TN

Outlaw Gospel Music Harrison, TN

Atlantic Records New York, NY

Riley Warnock & Jacobson, PLC Nashville, TN

The Patrón Spirits Company Southlake, TX

Pop2Life Pine Brook, NJ

Bandit Lites, Inc. Knoxville, TN

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. Nashville, TN

World Vision, Inc. Auburn, WA

Regions Bank Nashville, TN

Bank of America Nashville, TN

SESAC Nashville, TN

GOLD

RFD-TV Nashville, TN

Big Machine Records Nashville, TN

Smith Exploration Plano, TX

Black River Entertainment Nashville, TN

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville, TN

BMI Nashville, TN

Streamsound Records Brentwood, TN

Broken Bow Records Nashville, TN

SunTrust Bank Nashville, TN

Capitol Records Nashville Nashville, TN City National Bank Nashville, TN CMT/CMT.com Nashville, TN Cold River Records Houston, TX Columbia Nashville Nashville, TN Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Lebanon, TN Creative Artists Agency Nashville, TN CTI Wyckoff, NJ Curb Records Nashville, TN Gaylord Opryland Resort & Attractions Nashville, TN Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman LLP Nashville, TN Great American Country Knoxville, TN MCA Nashville Nashville, TN Mercury Nashville Nashville, TN Merrill Lynch Nashville, TN

Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, TN Warner Music Nashville Nashville, TN Warner/Chappell Music Inc. Nashville, TN Wells Fargo Private Bank Nashville, TN William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC Nashville, TN

PATRON AT&T U-verse San Antonio, TX BEM Wireless Woodstock, IL Chevrolet Detroit, MI Crescent Grove Advisors Lake Forest, IL Dan Post Boot Company Clarksville, TN Field & Stream New York, NY Jerseys Sports Cafe North Fort Myers , FL Maserati of Nashville Franklin, TN Northern Trust Bank Seattle, WA

1203 Entertainment Hermitage, TN 80 Proof Music Group, Inc. Mountain Grove, MO Amerimonte Records Plano, TX Aquarian, LLC Great Falls, VA Avenue Bank Nashville, TN BestCountryRadio.com North Providence, RI Choctaw Casino Resort Event Center Durant, OK Colonel Tom Touring, LLC Nashville, TN

Runway Light Records Scottsdale, AZ Simba Entertainment, LLC Nashville, TN Steel River Productions Virginia Beach, VA Supergroup Records Franklin, TN The Stage on Broadway Nashville, TN Torgerson Properties Willmar, MN VF Jeanswear/ Wrangler Greensboro, NC ZUUS Country Nashville, TN

Country Weekly Nashville, TN

SILVER

CRT, Custom Products, Inc. Whites Creek, TN

Anderson Benson Insurance Nashville, TN

Event Operations Group, Inc. Pelham, AL

Average Joes Entertainment Group Nashville, TN

Fifth Third Bank Nashville, TN

Bradley, Arant, Boult, Cummings LLP Nashville, TN

First TN Bank Family Office Services Nashville, TN

CJJR Vancouver, BC

Flying Dutchmen Travel Santa Rosa, CA

Deloitte & Touche Nashville, TN

Grand Avenue Limosine, LLC Nashville, TN

Drifting Spirit Songs, LLC Strongsville, OH

Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, TN

Ernst & Young, LLP Nashville, TN

Inside Radio/M Street Corporation Kennesaw, GA

First Insurance Partners, LLC Dickson, TN

Joe’s Bar Chicago, IL

Girl On A Mission Music, LLC Union, KY

KJUG Visalia, CA

Hall, Booth, Smith, P.C. Nashville, TN continued on page 70...

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ORGANIZATIONAL CMA MEMBERS ...continued from page 69

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Anderson, IN

Stillbrook Records Nashville, TN

American Songwriter Magazine Nashville, TN

Consol Energy Center Pittsburgh, PA

Kay Griffin Enkema & Colbert PLLC Nashville, TN

Texas Music Management LLC Spring, TX

AristoMedia Nashville, TN

Country Music Solutions Clearwater, FL

KCYY-FM / KKYX-AM San Antonio, TX

The Chickasaw Nation Ada, OK

Arkansas State University Convocation Ctr State University, AR

Country Music Spectacular Hendersonville, TN

KKBQ Houston, TX

The Four Corners Music Hall Untermeitingen, Bavaria

Austin Hicks, LLC Nolensville, TN

Country4you Porsgrunn

KNIX Phoenix, AZ

Urban Country Music Festival Caboolture, QLD

Barfly Publishing Hendersonville, TN

Creative Community Promotions, LLC Kearney, NE

KVST Montgomery, TX

Von Braun Civic Center Huntsville, AL

Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing Arden, NC

KWJJ Portland, OR

WCOW Sparta, WI

Big Country Records Nashville, TN Brentwood, TN

KYGO Englewood, CO

WDXC Pound, VA

KZPK Saint Cloud, MN

WFMS Indianapolis, IN

Lattimore Black Morgan and Cain, PC Brentwood, TN

WGH Virginia Beach, VA

Legend Communications Elkridge, MD

WLHK Indianapolis, IN

Loud & Proud Records Raleigh, NC

WTCR Huntington, WV

Lucky Star, Inc. Nashville, TN

WUBE Cincinnati, OH

MAP Marketing & Incentives Los Angeles, CA

WUSY Chattanooga, TN

Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion Gilford, NH

WXFL Florence, AL

Music Imprints Nashville, TN

BRONZE

Nine North/Turnpike Music/ Edgehill Nashville Nashville, TN

23 Muzik Group Lenoir, NC

Northeast Broadcasting Company, Inc. Bedford, NH

2Country Radio Crawley, West Sussex, England

Cable Car Communications, Inc. Grass Valley, CA

Francis & Lusky A Division of Halo Branded Solutions Nashville, TN

On-Air Broadcasting Nashville, TN

308 Productions Saluda, SC

Canadian Country Music Association Toronto, ON

Fry Entertainment Westmont, IL

Paradigm Nashville, TN

AbiJack Management, Inc. Saint Paul, MN

Carolina Boy, Inc. Nashville, TN

GEN3 ENTERTAINMENT LLC Nashville, TN

Parenting Today’s Teen Radio Hallsville, TX

Advanced Business Consultants Nashville, TN

Cheatham & Palermo, Attys.

Nashville, TN

Georgia Mountain Fair Hiawassee, GA

peermusic Nashville, TN

AE Ventures South Easton, MA

Chippewa Valley Music Festivals, Inc. Cadott, WI

Global Songwriters Connection Springfield, TN

Reviver Records, LLC Livingston, NJ

Affiliated Publishers, Inc. Nashville, TN

Cingle Records Nashville, TN

Gordon Law Group, PLC Nashville, TN

SeisMic Sound, Inc. Nashville, TN

All Hitz Radio.FM Rowlett, TX

CJKX Oshawa, ON

Great American Talent Hendersonville, TN

Spirit Music Nashville Nashville, TN

Allied Specialty Insurance, Inc. Saint Petersburg, FL

CKRY Calgary, AB

Hall Communications, Inc. Lakeland, FL

Steven Blalock Atty & Counsellor At Law Albemarle, NC

ALSAC/St. Jude Hospital Memphis, TN

ClearBox Rights, LLC Brentwood, TN

Hambone Entertainment Group Nashville, TN

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T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

Big Deal Music Nashville Nashville, TN Big Fish Music Valley Village, CA Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Bristol, VA Bison Creek Records Nashville, TN Blaster Records Nashville, TN Blazing Records Lebanon, TN Bluebird Cafe Nashville, TN Bluelight Entertainment, LLC Madison, TN Bobby’s Belleville, IL Borrowed Blue Russell Springs, KY Buddy Lee Attractions Nashville, TN

CWM Media / Socialvention Tulsa, OK Dash Two Culver City, CA DeBusk Entertainment Kingston Springs, TN Digital Rodeo Nashville, TN DJ’s Multimedia Fairfield, OH Dodd, Drennan & Associates, PLLC Nashville, TN Double C Publicity, LLC El Paso, TX Dutch Country Music Association Nijmegen, Gelderland Emporium Presents Auburn, WA Farmboy Entertainment Hendersonville, TN First Class Productions, LLC Sevierville, TN

Hand Media Ltd. Hunton, Maidstone

KEKB Grand Junction, CO

KNCI Sacramento, CA

KTRY Santa Rosa, CA

Heartland Records Pittsburg, KS

KEZS Cape Girardeau, MO

KNLV Ord, NE

KTTS Springfield, MO

Hillbilly Culture, LLC Nashville, TN

KFDI/KFTI Wichita, KS

KOFO Ottawa, KS

KUAD Windsor, CO

Hi-Value Music Goodlettsville, TN

KFGE Lincoln, NE

KOMG Springfield, MO

KUPL Portland, OR

ID Playground, Inc. Valencia, CA

KFIN Jonesboro, AR

KORA Bryan, TX

KUZZ-AM/KCWR-FM Bakersfield, CA

IGC Protection, Inc. Mount Juliet, TN

KFLP Floydada, TX

KPLM Palm Desert, CA

KVOO Tulsa, OK

IMMI Records Knoxville, TN

KGRT Las Cruces, NM

KPLX Dallas, TX

KVOX Fargo, ND

Ingram Entertainment Inc. La Vergne, TN

KHKX Midland, TX

KQUS Hot Springs National Park, AR

KWHQ Kenai, AK

IWireless Center Moline, IL

KHOK Great Bend, KS

KQYB La Crosse, WI

KWIQ Wenatchee, WA

Jackieturneruk Fernsdown, Dorset

KHOZ Harrison, AR

KRJC Elko, NV

KWOF Denver, CO

Jayson Promotions, Inc. Hendersonville, TN

KHPQ Clinton, AR

KRMD Bossier City, LA

KWOX Woodward, OK

KAJA San Antonio, TX

KIIM-FM/KCUB-AM Tucson, AZ

KRSY Alamogordo, NM

KWRK Window Rock, AZ

KATC Colorado Springs, CO

KILT Houston, TX

KRTY San Jose, CA

KWWR Mexico, MO

KATM Stockton, CA

Kim Copeland Productions Nashville, TN

KRVN Lexington, NE

KWYY Casper, WY

KBHP Bemidji, MN

Kiwi Pro-Am Country Music Organization Hamilton, Waikato

KS Productions, Inc. Gallatin, TN

KXBL Tulsa, OK

KBON Eunice, LA

KIXX West Lebanon, NH

KSDR Watertown, SD

KXDD Yakima, WA

KBOW Butte, MT

KJKE Oklahoma City, OK

KSJJ Bend, OR

KXIA Marshalltown, IA

KBQI Albuquerque, NM

KKCB Duluth, MN

KSJQ St. Joseph, MO

KXKS Shreveport, LA

KBRJ Anchorage, AK

KKGO Los Angeles, CA

KSKS Fresno, CA

KXKT Omaha, NE

KBVC Salida, CO

KKNU Eugene, OR

KSMA Mason City, IA

KXLW Anchorage, AK

KCGY Laramie, WY

KKRV Wenatchee, WA

KSON San Diego, CA

KXLY Spokane, WA

KCLR Columbia, MO

KKXA Everett, WA

KSOP Salt Lake City, UT

KYDN Monte Vista, CO

KCSI Red Oak, IA KCYS

KMCO-FM/KNED-AM McAlester, OK

KSSN Little Rock, AR

KYSM North Mankato, MN

KMKT Sherman, TX

KSUX Sioux City, IA

KYTN Martin, TN

Clinton, MO

KMOZ Grand Junction, CO

KTHK Idaho Falls, ID

KZKX Lincoln, NE

KDXY Jonesboro, AR

KMRK Odessa, TX

KTNN Window Rock, AZ

KZSN San Antonio, TX

Astoria, OR KDKD

continued on page 72...

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

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ORGANIZATIONAL CMA MEMBERS ...continued from page 71

Lamon Records Nashville Franklin, TN

NATIVE Entertainment and Marketing Group Nashville, TN

Roundabout Records Nashville, TN

The Buffalo Montreal, Quebec

Land Run Records Oklahoma City, OK

New Canvas Entertainment Williston, ND

Salem Civic Center Salem, VA

The Harper Agency Goodlettsville, TN

Little Engine Records Venice, CA

New England Country Music Cambridge, MA

Sharewell Music Publishing Lebanon, TN

The Longhorn Club Vinton, LA

Little General Records Beckley, WV

Northlands Edmonton, AB

Shatz Music Group Gaithersburg, MD

The Ryan Center/University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI

Long Island Country Music Association Commack, NY

NSAI Nashville, TN

Sheri Clark Media Sevierville, TN

The Song Factory Nashville, TN

LongShot Records Dallas, TX

Oak Ridge Boys, Inc. Hendersonville, TN

Show Dog Nashville Nashville, TN

Thompson Entertainment Group Nashville, TN

Mallory Records Archibald, LA

Ole - International Toronto, ON

Showbiz-Ro Music Nashville, TN

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge Nashville, TN

Mandolin Entertainment Nashville, TN

Pacific Time Records Chickasha, OK

Simply Grand Music, Inc. Memphis, TN

Travelling Time Perth, UK

Marbaloo Nashville, TN

Pancoast Benefits Nashville, TN

SixShooterCountry.com Leeds, West Yorkshire

Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group Brentwood, TN

Martin, Allbee & Associates, LLC Nashville, TN

Par Music Group, LLC Nashville, TN

Skaggs Family Records Hendersonville, TN

Triangle Talent, Inc. Louisville, KY

Matt Davenport Productions, Inc. Nashville, TN

Pearl Street Records Jacksonville, FL

Skytone Entertainment, LLC Nashville, TN

Triple 7 Public Relations Nashville, TN

MCN Interactive, LLC Nashville, TN

PFA Entertainment Media & Marketing New York, NY

Soundcheck Nashville, TN

Two Old Hippies Nashville, TN

Melody Ranch, Inc. Bryan, TX

Plateau Music, LLC White House, TN

SoundExchange, Inc. Washington, DC

United Stations Radio Networks New York, NY

Merrick Music Group, Inc./ Cumberland Talent, Inc. Nashville, TN

Premier Global Production Company, Inc. Madison, TN

Soundlab Studios Little River, VIC

Verizon Arena North Little Rock, AR

Premiere Networks New York, NY

South Florida Country Music, LLC Boca Raton, FL

Vision Visuals, Inc. Nashville, TN

Primetime Entertainment Riverview, FL

Southern Halo Cleveland, MS

WAAG Galesburg, IL

Radio Advertising Bureau New York, NY

Space-Time, Inc. Chicago, IL

WAKG Danville, VA

Radio BEO Interlaken

Spring Hill Music Group Brentwood, TN

Wales Business Management Atlanta, GA

Railtown Marketing and Promotions Mundare, AB

ST8MNT Brentwood, TN

WAMW Washington, IN

Ramuk Music Smyrna, TN

Stairway Music Publishing Mobile, AL

WAMZ Louisville, KY

Rashford Kruse & Associates Nashville, TN

Starstruck Entertainment Nashville, TN

WAWC Warsaw, IN

Red Ridge Entertainment Nashville, TN

Studio Gold Nashville Brentwood, TN

WAYZ Greencastle, PA

Renfro Valley Entertainment Center Renfro Valley, KY

Tamworth Country Music Festival - Australia Tamworth, NSW

WBBN Laurel, MS

Ritholz Levy Sanders Chidekel & Fields LLP Nashville, TN

Tempest Music Group Nashville, TN

WBBS Syracuse, NY

Rockstar Passes Little Rock, AR

Tennessee Performing Arts Center Nashville, TN

WBCH Hastings, MI

Rough Hollow Entertainment Nashville, TN

That’s Music Promotions and Entertainment Quinton, AL

WBDC Jasper, IN

Mill Town Music Hall Bremen, GA Mitch Schneider Organization (MSO PR) Sherman Oaks, CA Moo TV Nashville, TN Music City Christian Fellowship Nashville, TN Musicians Hall of Fame Nashville, TN MusicWatch, Inc. Huntington Station, NY Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Nashville, TN Nashville Backstage Alexander City, AL Nashville Express Tours Sevierville, TN Nashville Lifestyles Magazine Nashville, TN Nashville Music Media Mount Juliet, TN Nashville Public Education Foundation Nashville, TN

72 |

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

WBKR Owensboro, KY

WDZQ Decatur, IL

WIFE Connersville, IN

WKYQ Paducah, KY

WQCB Brewer, ME

WUCZ Carthage, TN

WBTU Fort Wayne, IN

Webster Public Relations Nashville, TN

WIL St. Louis, MO

WLAW Muskegon Heights, MI

WQDR Raleigh, NC

WUSJ Ridgeland, MS

WBUT Butler, PA

WEPG Jasper, TN

Willing To Fly, Inc. Nashville, TN

WLJE Valparaiso, IN

WQHK Ft. Wayne, IN

WUUQ Chattanooga, TN

WBVR Bowling Green, KY

WESC Greenville, SC

WIRK West Palm Beach, FL

WLVB Morrisville, VT

WQIK Jacksonville, FL

WVHL Farmville, VA

WBWN Bloomington, IL

Weston Bakos Media Group, LLC Nashville, TN

WIVK Knoxville, TN

WLVK Elizabethtown, KY

WQKZ Jasper, IN

WVMD Cumberland, MD

WIWF North Charleston, SC

WLVS Florence, AL

WQMX Akron, OH

WVNW Lewistown, PA

WFGS Murray, KY

Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. Calabasas, CA

WLWF Oglesby, IL

WQSB Albertville, AL

WVVR Clarksville, TN

WFGY Hollidaysburg, PA

WJLS Beckley, WV

WMAD Madison, WI

WQYK St. Petersburg, FL

WWKA Orlando, FL

WFKY Frankfort, KY

WKCQ Saginaw, MI

WMCI Mattoon, IL

WRBE Lucedale, MS

WWOV Wheeling, WV

WFLS Fredericksburg, VA

WKDQ Evansville, IN

WMCT Mountain City, TN

WRBT Harrisburg, PA

WXBQ Bristol, VA

WFMW Madisonville, KY

WKDZ Cadiz, KY

WMDH New Castle, IN

WRHM Rock Hill, SC

WXCC Pikeville, KY

WFRB Frostburg, MD

WKHK Richmond, VA

WMIL Milwaukee, WI

WRIL Harrogate, TN

WXCL Peoria, IL

WFRG Marcy, NY

WKJT Effingham, IL

WMIX Mount Vernon, IL

WSGS Hazard, KY

WXXQ Rockford, IL

WGAR Independence, OH

WKKO Toledo, OH

WMMG Brandenburg, KY

WSLM Salem, IN

WYCT Pensacola, FL

WGLR Platteville, WI

WKKT Charlotte, NC

WMNC Morganton, NC

WSM-AM Nashville, TN

WYNK Baton Rouge, LA

WGNA Schenectady, NY

WKKW Morgantown, WV

WMYL Clinton, TN

WSM-FM Nashville, TN

WYOT Rochelle, IL

WGNE Jacksonville, FL

WKLB Boston, MA

WMZQ Rockville, MD

WSOC Charlotte, NC

WYRK Buffalo, NY

WGSQ Cookeville, TN

WKML Fayetteville, NC

WNNF Cincinnati, OH

WSSL Greenville, SC

WYSH Clinton, TN

WGTY Gettysburg, PA

WKNK Panama City, FL

WNWN Battle Creek, MI

WTIF Tifton, GA

WYTE Plover, WI

Whirl Wide Entertainment Sparta, TN

WKPE Hyannis, MA

WOGK Ocala, FL

WTNN South Burlington, VT

ZMax Racing Country Concord, NC

Whiskey Row Scottsdale Scottsdale, AZ

WKRO Daytona Beach, FL

WOKO South Burlington, VT

WTNV Dyersburg, TN

WHKB Houghton, MI

WKSF Asheville, NC

WOLF Syracuse, NY

WTQR Greensboro, NC

WHKO Dayton, OH

WKWS Morgantown, WV

Words & Music Nashville, TN

WTRE Greensburg, IN

WHWY Fort Walton Beach, FL

WKXA Findlay, OH

WOWQ DuBois, PA

WTUZ New Philadelphia, OH

WIBL Normal, IL

WKXC Augusta, GA

WPOC Baltimore, MD

WTVY Dothan, AL

WIBW Topeka, KS

WKXH Orleans, VT

WQBE Charleston, WV

WTXT Tuscaloosa, AL

WBYT Mishawaka, IN WBYZ Baxley, GA WCKF Ashland, AL WCKN Charleston, SC WCNL New London, NH WCOL Columbus, OH WCOS Columbia, SC WCOY Quincy, IL WCTK Providence, RI WCTQ Sarasota, FL WCTY Norwich, CT WCXZ Harrogate, TN WCYQ Knoxville, TN WDEZ Wausau, WI WDGG Huntington, WV WDHR Pikeville, KY WDKN Dickson, TN WDNB Liberty, NY WDRM Madison, AL WDWQ Terre Haute, IN WDXB Birmingham, AL

WEZL Mount Pleasant, SC

Listing as of Oct. 1, 2015

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

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Past CMA Awards Winners ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR 1967 Eddy Arnold 1968 Glen Campbell 1969 Johnny Cash 1970 Merle Haggard 1971 Charley Pride 1972 Loretta Lynn 1973 Roy Clark 1974 Charlie Rich 1975 John Denver 1976 Mel Tillis 1977 Ronnie Milsap 1978 Dolly Parton 1979 Willie Nelson 1980 Barbara Mandrell 1981 Barbara Mandrell 1982 Alabama

1983 Alabama 1984 Alabama 1985 Ricky Skaggs 1986 Reba McEntire 1987 Hank Williams Jr. 1988 Hank Williams Jr. 1989 George Strait 1990 George Strait 1991 Garth Brooks 1992 Garth Brooks 1993 Vince Gill 1994 Vince Gill 1995 Alan Jackson 1996 Brooks & Dunn 1997 Garth Brooks 1998 Garth Brooks

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Shania Twain Dixie Chicks Tim McGraw Alan Jackson Alan Jackson Kenny Chesney Keith Urban Kenny Chesney Kenny Chesney Kenny Chesney Taylor Swift Brad Paisley Taylor Swift Blake Shelton George Strait Luke Bryan

BARBARA MANDRELL 1981

BLAKE SHELTON 2012

ALAN JACKSON 1995

JOHNNY CASH 1969

MARTINA McBRIDE 1999

JANIE FRICKE 1983

LEE ANN WOMACK 2001

PAM TILLIS 1994

KEITH URBAN 2004

GEORGE STRAIT 1996

GEORGE JONES 1981

VINCE GILL 1994

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983

Loretta Lynn Tammy Wynette Tammy Wynette Tammy Wynette Lynn Anderson Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn Olivia Newton-John Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Crystal Gayle Crystal Gayle Barbara Mandrell Emmylou Harris Barbara Mandrell Janie Fricke Janie Fricke

1984 Reba McEntire 1985 Reba McEntire 1986 Reba McEntire 1987 Reba McEntire 1988 K.T. Oslin 1989 Kathy Mattea 1990 Kathy Mattea 1991 Tanya Tucker 1992 Mary Chapin Carpenter 1993 Mary Chapin Carpenter 1994 Pam Tillis 1995 Alison Krauss 1996 Patty Loveless 1997 Trisha Yearwood 1998 Trisha Yearwood

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Martina McBride Faith Hill Lee Ann Womack Martina McBride Martina McBride Martina McBride Gretchen Wilson Carrie Underwood Carrie Underwood Carrie Underwood Taylor Swift Miranda Lambert Miranda Lambert Miranda Lambert Miranda Lambert Miranda Lambert

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982

74 |

Jack Greene Glen Campbell Johnny Cash Merle Haggard Charley Pride Charley Pride Charlie Rich Ronnie Milsap Waylon Jennings Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Milsap Don Williams Kenny Rogers George Jones George Jones Ricky Skaggs

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Lee Greenwood Lee Greenwood George Strait George Strait Randy Travis Randy Travis Ricky Van Shelton Clint Black Vince Gill Vince Gill Vince Gill Vince Gill Vince Gill George Strait George Strait George Strait

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Tim McGraw Tim McGraw Toby Keith Alan Jackson Alan Jackson Keith Urban Keith Urban Keith Urban Brad Paisley Brad Paisley Brad Paisley Blake Shelton Blake Shelton Blake Shelton Blake Shelton Blake Shelton

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR (HORIZON AWARD INTRODUCED IN 1981. CHANGED TO NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR IN 2008.)

ZAC BROWN BAND 2010

KACEY MUSGRAVES 2013

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

Terri Gibbs Ricky Skaggs John Anderson The Judds Sawyer Brown Randy Travis Holly Dunn Ricky Van Shelton Clint Black Garth Brooks Travis Tritt Suzy Bogguss

1993 Mark Chesnutt 1994 John Michael Montgomery 1995 Alison Krauss 1996 Bryan White 1997 LeAnn Rimes 1998 Dixie Chicks 1999 Jo Dee Messina 2000 Brad Paisley 2001 Keith Urban 2002 Rascal Flatts 2003 Joe Nichols

2004 Gretchen Wilson 2005 Dierks Bentley 2006 Carrie Underwood 2007 Taylor Swift 2008 Lady Antebellum 2009 Darius Rucker 2010 Zac Brown Band 2011 The Band Perry 2012 Hunter Hayes 2013 Kacey Musgraves 2014 Brett Eldredge

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY 1994

RASCAL FLATTS 2005

JOE NICHOLS 2003

LITTLE BIG TOWN 2013

1967 The Stoneman Family 1968 Porter Wagoner

& Dolly Parton 1969 Johnny Cash

& June Carter 1970 The Glaser Brothers 1971 The Osborne Brothers 1972 The Statler Brothers 1973 The Statler Brothers 1974 The Statler Brothers 1975 The Statler Brothers 1976 The Statler Brothers 1977 The Statler Brothers 1978 The Oak Ridge Boys 1979 The Statler Brothers 1980 The Statler Brothers

1981 Alabama 1982 Alabama 1983 Alabama 1984 The Statler Brothers 1985 The Judds 1986 The Judds 1987 The Judds 1988 Highway 101 1989 Highway 101 1990 Kentucky HeadHunters 1991 Kentucky HeadHunters 1992 Diamond Rio 1993 Diamond Rio 1994 Diamond Rio 1995 The Mavericks 1996 The Mavericks

1997 Diamond Rio 1998 Dixie Chicks 1999 Dixie Chicks 2000 Dixie Chicks 2001 Lonestar 2002 Dixie Chicks 2003 Rascal Flatts 2004 Rascal Flatts 2005 Rascal Flatts 2006 Rascal Flatts 2007 Rascal Flatts 2008 Rascal Flatts 2009 Lady Antebellum 2010 Lady Antebellum 2011 Lady Antebellum 2012 Little Big Town 2013 Little Big Town 2014 Little Big Town

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR (INTRODUCED IN 1970.)

DIAMOND RIO 1994

ALABAMA 1982

SHELLY WEST and DAVID FRIZZELL 1982

BROOKS and DUNN 2006

SHARON WHITE and RICKY SKAGGS 1987

THE JUDDS 1989

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius Kenny Rogers & Dottie West Kenny Rogers & Dottie West Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

David Frizzell & Shelly West David Frizzell & Shelly West Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias Anne Murray & Dave Loggins Dan Seals & Marie Osmond Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White The Judds The Judds The Judds The Judds Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn

1996 Brooks & Dunn 1997 Brooks & Dunn 1998 Brooks & Dunn 1999 Brooks & Dunn 2000 Montgomery Gentry 2001 Brooks & Dunn 2002 Brooks & Dunn 2003 Brooks & Dunn 2004 Brooks & Dunn 2005 Brooks & Dunn 2006 Brooks & Dunn 2007 Sugarland 2008 Sugarland 2009 Sugarland 2010 Sugarland 2011 Sugarland 2012 Thompson Square 2013 Florida Georgia

Line 2014 Florida Georgia

Line

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Past CMA Awards Winners MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (AWARD GOES TO ARTIST AND DIRECTOR. INTRODUCED IN 1985. NOT AWARDED IN 1988.)

1985

1986 1987 1989

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

“All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight;” Hank Williams Jr.; directed by John Goodhue; Warner Bros. Records/Curb Records “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes;” George Jones; directed by Marc Ball; Epic Records “My Name Is Bocephus;” Hank Williams Jr.; directed by Bill Fishman; Warner Bros. Records/Curb Records “There’s A Tear In My Beer;” Hank Williams Jr. and Hank Williams Sr.; directed by Ethan Russell; Warner Bros. Records/Curb Records “The Dance;” Garth Brooks; directed by John Lloyd Miller; Capitol Nashville “The Thunder Rolls;” Garth Brooks; directed by Bud Schaetzle; Capitol Nashville “Midnight In Montgomery;” Alan Jackson; directed by Jim Shea; Arista Nashville “Chattahoochee;” Alan Jackson; directed by Martin Kahan; Arista Nashville “Independence Day;” Martina McBride; directed by Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV; RCA Records “Baby Likes To Rock It;” The Tractors; directed by Michael Salomon; Arista Nashville “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead;” Junior Brown; directed by Michael McNamara; Curb Records “455 Rocket;” Kathy Mattea; directed by Steven Goldmann; Mercury Nashville “This Kiss;” Faith Hill; directed by Steven Goldmann; Warner Bros. Records “Wide Open Spaces;” Dixie Chicks; directed by Thom Oliphant; Monument Records “Goodbye Earl;” Dixie Chicks; directed by Evan Bernard; Monument Records “Born To Fly;” Sara Evans; directed by Peter Zavadil; RCA Records “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song);” Brad Paisley; directed by Peter Zavadil; Arista Nashville “Hurt;” Johnny Cash; directed by Mark Romanek; Lost Highway Records “Whiskey Lullaby;” Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss; directed by Rick Schroeder; Arista Nashville “As Good As I Once Was;” Toby Keith; directed by Michael Salomon; DreamWorks Records Nashville “Believe;” Brooks & Dunn; directed by Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV; Arista Nashville “Online;” Brad Paisley; directed by Jason Alexander; Arista Nashville “Waitin’ On A Woman;” Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith; directed by Jim Shea and Peter Tilden; Arista Nashville “Love Story;” Taylor Swift; directed by Trey Fanjoy; Big Machine Records “The House That Built Me;” Miranda Lambert; directed by Trey Fanjoy; Columbia Nashville “You and Tequila;” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter; directed by Shaun Silva “Red Solo Cup;” Toby Keith; directed by Michael Salomon “Highway Don’t Care,” Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban; directed by Shane Drake “Drunk on a Plane,” Dierks Bentley; directed by Wes Edwards

BRAD PAISLEY and ALISON KRAUSS 2004

GEORGE JONES 1986

HANK WILLIAMS JR. 1987

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR INTRODUCED IN 1988. CHANGED TO MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR IN 2005.)

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt; Trio Hank Williams, Jr. and Hank Williams, Sr.; “There’s A Tear In My Beer” Lorrie Morgan and Keith Whitley; “Til A Tear Becomes A Rose” Mark O’Connor & The New Nashville Cats (featuring Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner) Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt; “Honky Tonkin’ Is What I Do Best” George Jones with Vince Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Joe Diffie, Alan Jackson, Pam Tillis, T. Graham Brown, Patty Loveless and Clint Black; “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” Reba McEntire with Linda Davis; “Does He Love You” Shenandoah with Alison Krauss; “Somewhere In The Vicinity Of The Heart” Dolly Parton with special guest Vince Gill; “I Will Always Love You” Tim McGraw with Faith Hill; “It’s Your Love” Patty Loveless with special guest George Jones; “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me” Vince Gill with Patty Loveless; “My Kind Of Woman, My Kind Of Man” George Strait (duet with Alan Jackson); “Murder On Music Row” Brad Paisley with featured vocals by George Jones, Bill Anderson and Buck Owens; “Too Country” Willie Nelson with Lee Ann Womack; “Mendocino County Line” Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett; “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss; “Whiskey Lullaby” George Strait (duet with Lee Ann Womack); “Good News, Bad News” Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton); “When I Get Where I’m Going” Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney; “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)” Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban); “Start A Band” Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins; “Hillbilly Bone” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson; “Don’t You Wanna Stay” Kenny Chesney (duet with Tim McGraw); “Feel Like A Rockstar” Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban; “Highway Don’t Care” Keith Urban featuring Miranda Lambert; “We Were Us”

RICKY SKAGGS, STEVE WARINER, VINCE GILL and MARK O’CONNOR 1991

JASON ALDEAN 2011

PATTY LOVELESS 1998

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MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR (CHANGED FROM INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR IN 1988.)

CHET ATKINS 1982

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982

Chet Atkins Chet Atkins Chet Atkins Jerry Reed Jerry Reed Charlie McCoy Charlie McCoy Don Rich Johnny Gimble Hargus “Pig” Robbins Roy Clark Roy Clark Charlie Daniels Roy Clark Chet Atkins Chet Atkins

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Chet Atkins Chet Atkins Chet Atkins Johnny Gimble Johnny Gimble Chet Atkins Johnny Gimble Johnny Gimble Mark O’Connor Mark O’Connor Mark O’Connor Mark O’Connor Mark O’Connor Mark O’Connor Brent Mason Brent Mason

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Randy Scruggs Hargus “Pig” Robbins Dann Huff Jerry Douglas Randy Scruggs Dann Huff Jerry Douglas Randy Scruggs Jerry Douglas Mac McAnally Mac McAnally Mac McAnally Mac McAnally Mac McAnally Mac McAnally Mac McAnally

MAC McANALLY 2011

SONG OF THE YEAR (AWARD GOES TO SONGWRITERS.)

RANDY SCRUGGS 1999

BETH NIELSON CHAPMAN, ANNIE ROBOFF and ROBIN LERNER 1999

BILL ANDERSON and JON RANDALL 2005

1967 1968 1969 1970

1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978

1979 1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985 1986

1987

1988 1989

1990

1991 1992 1993

“There Goes My Everything;” Dallas Frazier “Honey;” Bobby Russell “Carroll County Accident;” Bob Ferguson “Sunday Morning Coming Down;” Kris Kristofferson “Easy Loving;” Freddie Hart “Easy Loving;” Freddie Hart “Behind Closed Doors;” Kenny O’Dell “Country Bumpkin;” Don Wayne “Back Home Again;” John Denver “Rhinestone Cowboy;” Larry Weiss “Lucille;” Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue;” Richard Leigh “The Gambler;” Don Schlitz “He Stopped Loving Her Today;” Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman “He Stopped Loving Her Today;” Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman “Always On My Mind;” Johnny Christopher, Wayne Carson and Mark James “Always On My Mind;” Johnny Christopher, Wayne Carson and Mark James “Wind Beneath My Wings;” Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar “God Bless The USA;” Lee Greenwood “On The Other Hand;” Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz “Forever And Ever, Amen;” Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz “80's Ladies;” K.T. Oslin “Chiseled In Stone;” Max D. Barnes and Vern Gosdin “Where’ve You Been;” Jon Vezner and Don Henry “When I Call Your Name;” Vince Gill and Tim DuBois “Look At Us;” Vince Gill and Max D. Barnes “I Still Believe In You;” Vince Gill and John Barlow Jarvis

1994

1995 1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008 2009

2010

2011 2012

2013

2014

“Chattahoochee;” Alan Jackson and Jim McBride “Independence Day;” Gretchen Peters “Go Rest High On That Mountain;” Vince Gill “Strawberry Wine;” Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven;” Billy Kirsch and Steve Wariner “This Kiss;” Annie Roboff, Robin Lerner and Beth Nielsen Chapman “I Hope You Dance;” Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers “Murder On Music Row;” Larry Cordle and Larry Shell “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning);” Alan Jackson “Three Wooden Crosses;” Doug Johnson and Kim Williams “Live Like You Were Dying;” Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman “Whiskey Lullaby;” Bill Anderson and Jon Randall “Believe;” Craig Wiseman and Ronnie Dunn “Give It Away;” Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson “Stay;” Jennifer Nettles “In Color;” Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto “The House That Built Me;” Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin “If I Die Young;” Kimberly Perry “Over You;” Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton “I Drive Your Truck;” Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington and Jimmy Yeary “Follow Your Arrow;” by Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally

DOUG JOHNSON and KIM WILLIAMS 2003

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Past CMA Awards Winners SINGLE OF THE YEAR (AWARD GOES TO ARTIST AND PRODUCER. INTRODUCED AWARD TO PRODUCER IN 1989.)

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

“There Goes My Everything;” Jack Greene; Decca Records “Harper Valley P.T.A.;” Jeannie C. Riley; Plantation Records “A Boy Named Sue;” Johnny Cash; Columbia Records “Okie From Muskogee;” Merle Haggard; Capitol Nashville “Help Me Make It Through The Night;” Sammi Smith; Mega Records “The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.;” Donna Fargo; Dot Records “Behind Closed Doors;” Charlie Rich; Epic Records “Country Bumpkin;” Cal Smith; MCA Nashville “Before The Next Teardrop Falls;” Freddy Fender; ABC Dot Records “Good Hearted Woman;” Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson; RCA Records “Lucille;” Kenny Rogers; United Artists Records “Heaven’s Just A Sin Away;” The Kendalls; Ovation Records “The Devil Went Down To Georgia;” Charlie Daniels Band; Epic Records “He Stopped Loving Her Today;” George Jones; Epic Records “Elvira;” The Oak Ridge Boys; MCA Nashville “Always On My Mind;” Willie Nelson; Columbia Records “Swingin’;” John Anderson; Warner Bros. Records “A Little Good News;” Anne Murray; Capitol Nashville “Why Not Me;” The Judds; RCA Records/Curb Records “Bop;” Dan Seals; EMI America Records “Forever And Ever, Amen;” Randy Travis; Warner Bros. Records “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses;” Kathy Mattea; PolyGram Records “I’m No Stranger To The Rain;” Keith Whitley; RCA Records; produced by Garth Fundis and Keith Whitley “When I Call Your Name;” Vince Gill; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown “Friends In Low Places;” Garth Brooks; Capitol Nashville; produced by Allen Reynolds “Achy Breaky Heart;” Billy Ray Cyrus; Mercury Nashville; produced by John Cotton and Joe Scaife “Chattahoochee;” Alan Jackson; Arista Nashville; produced by Keith Stegall “I Swear;” John Michael Montgomery; Atlantic Records; produced by Scott Hendricks “When You Say Nothing At All;” Alison Krauss & Union Station; BNA Records; produced by Randy Scruggs “Check Yes Or No;” George Strait; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown and George Strait “Strawberry Wine;” Deana Carter; Capitol Nashville; produced by Chris Farren “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven;” Steve Wariner; Capitol Nashville; produced by Steve Wariner “Wide Open Spaces;” Dixie Chicks; Monument Records; produced by Blake Chancey and Paul Worley “I Hope You Dance;” Lee Ann Womack (with special guest appearance by Sons of the Desert); MCA Nashville; produced by Mark Wright “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow;” The Soggy Bottom Boys; Lost Highway Records;produced by T Bone Burnett “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning);” Alan Jackson; Arista Nashville; produced by Keith Stegall “Hurt;” Johnny Cash; Lost Highway Records; produced by Rick Rubin “Live Like You Were Dying;” Tim McGraw; Curb Records; produced by Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw and Darran Smith “I May Hate Myself In The Morning;” Lee Ann Womack; MCA Nashville; produced by Byron Gallimore “Believe;” Brooks & Dunn; Arista Nashville; produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks “Before He Cheats;” Carrie Underwood; 19 Recordings Limited/Arista/Arista Nashville; produced by Mark Bright “I Saw God Today;” George Strait; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown and George Strait “I Run To You;” Lady Antebellum; Capitol Records Nashville; produced by Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley “Need You Now;” Lady Antebellum; Capitol Records Nashville; produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum “If I Die Young;” The Band Perry; Republic Nashville; produced by Paul Worley “Pontoon;” Little Big Town; Capitol Records Nashville; Produced by Jay Joyce “Cruise;” Florida Georgia Line; Produced by Joey Moi “Automatic;” Miranda Lambert; Produced by Frank Liddell

LEE ANN WOMACK 2000

DIXIE CHICKS 1999

T BONE BURNETT and DAN TYMINSKI 2001

CARRIE UNDERWOOD and MARK BRIGHT 2007

ALISON KRAUSS 1995

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ALBUM OF THE YEAR (AWARD GOES TO ARTIST AND PRODUCER. INTRODUCED AWARD TO PRODUCER IN 1989.)

RONNIE MILSAP, LORETTA LYNN and OWEN BRADLEY 1980

TAYLOR SWIFT 2009

TIM McGRAW 1998

RONNIE MILSAP 1977

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING; Jack Greene; Decca Records JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON; Johnny Cash; Columbia Records JOHNNY CASH AT SAN QUENTIN PRISON; Johnny Cash; Columbia Records OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE; Merle Haggard; Capitol Nashville I WON’T MENTION IT AGAIN; Ray Price; Columbia Records LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT A SONG; Merle Haggard; Capitol Nashville BEHIND CLOSED DOORS; Charlie Rich; Epic Records A VERY SPECIAL LOVE SONG; Charlie Rich; Epic Records A LEGEND IN MY TIME; Ronnie Milsap; RCA Records WANTED: THE OUTLAWS; Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser and Jessi Colter; RCA Records RONNIE MILSAP LIVE; Ronnie Milsap; RCA Records IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A SONG; Ronnie Milsap; RCA Records THE GAMBLER; Kenny Rogers; United Artists Records COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER; Original Motion Picture Soundtrack; MCA Nashville I BELIEVE IN YOU; Don Williams; MCA Nashville ALWAYS ON MY MIND; Willie Nelson; Columbia Records THE CLOSER YOU GET; Alabama; RCA Records A LITTLE GOOD NEWS; Anne Murray; Capitol Nashville DOES FORT WORTH EVER CROSS YOUR MIND; George Strait; MCA Nashville LOST IN THE FIFTIES TONIGHT; Ronnie Milsap; RCA Records ALWAYS AND FOREVER; Randy Travis; Warner Bros. Records BORN TO BOOGIE; Hank Williams Jr.; Warner Bros. Records/Curb Records WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN VOL. II; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Universal Records;produced by Randy Scruggs PICKIN’ ON NASHVILLE; Kentucky HeadHunters; Mercury Nashville; produced by Kentucky HeadHunters NO FENCES; Garth Brooks; Capitol Nashville; produced by Allen Reynolds ROPIN’ THE WIND; Garth Brooks; Liberty Records; produced by Allen Reynolds I STILL BELIEVE IN YOU; Vince Gill; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown COMMON THREAD: THE SONGS OF THE EAGLES; John Anderson, Clint Black, Suzy Bogguss, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Dean, Diamond Rio, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Little Texas, Lorrie Morgan, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood; Giant Records; produced by Suzy Bogguss, Tony Brown, Don Cook, Jerry Crutchfield, Billy Dean, Christy Dinapoli, Garth Fundis, Doug Grau, Scott Hendricks, Richard Landis, Lynn Peterzell, Monty Powell, Keith Stegall and James Stroud WHEN FALLEN ANGELS FLY; Patty Loveless; Epic Records; produced by Emory Gordy, Jr. BLUE CLEAR SKY; George Strait; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown and George Strait CARRYING YOUR LOVE WITH ME; George Strait; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown and George Strait EVERYWHERE; Tim McGraw; Curb Records; produced by Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw and James Stroud A PLACE IN THE SUN; Tim McGraw; Curb Records; produced by Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw and James Stroud FLY; Dixie Chicks; Monument Records; produced by Blake Chancey O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?; various artists; Lost Highway Records; produced by T Bone Burnett DRIVE; Alan Jackson; Arista Nashville; produced by Keith Stegall AMERICAN IV: THE MAN COMES AROUND; Johnny Cash; Lost Highway Records; produced by Rick Rubin WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN; Kenny Chesney; BNA Records; produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM; Lee Ann Womack; MCA Nashville; produced by Byron Gallimore and Greg Droman TIME WELL WASTED; Brad Paisley; Arista Nashville; produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois IT JUST COMES NATURAL; George Strait; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown and George Strait TROUBADOUR; George Strait; MCA Nashville; produced by Tony Brown and George Strait FEARLESS; Taylor Swift; Big Machine Records; produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift REVOLUTION; Miranda Lambert; Columbia Nashville; produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke MY KINDA PARTY; Jason Aldean; Broken Bow Records; Produced by Michael Knox CHIEF; Eric Church; EMI Records Nashville; Produced by Jay Joyce BASED ON A TRUE STORY; Blake Shelton; Warner Bros. Records; Produced by Scott Hendricks AUTOMATIC; Miranda Lambert; RCA Nashville; Produced by Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell and Glenn Worf

BRAD PAISLEY and FRANK ROGERS 2006

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welcome to “ the

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annual cma awards”

Dear Friends, On behalf of the great State of Tennessee, I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to the fans, participants, and guests of the forty-ninth Annual CMA Awards. We are honored that the CMA has once again chosen to host “Country Music’s Biggest Night” in Nashville, Tennessee, the home of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and Grand Ole Opry.

For more than fifty years Tennessee has been the proud home of the songwriters, publishing companies, music producers, session musicians, recording engineers, recording artists, and countless other contributors to the country music industry.

Crissy and I offer our thanks and best wishes to all of these artists and industry professionals as well as all those being honored tonight. We encourage you to continue sharing your musical talents and southern hospitality as you travel around the world serving as ambassadors of one our great state’s most valued resources — country music. I invite all Tennesseans to join me in thanking this industry for all they have done to make Tennessee an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Again, we are glad to welcome all those involved with the CMA Awards and are proud that music’s greatest city is again hosting “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”

Warmest regards,

Bill Haslam Governor of Tennessee

Dear Fans: As Nashville’s new Mayor, I’m honored to have my first opportunity to welcome you to Music City for the CMA Awards. The 49 th annual awards show, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood for the eighth consecutive year, promises to be country music’s biggest night not only for artists and labels but also for the people who make their success possible: You, the Fans.

While you’re here, I hope you’ll take in as many of Nashville’s attractions as you can. The Grand Ole Opry House, the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway and the Ryman Auditorium, known as “The Mother Church of Country Music,” are unique places to hear live music. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Musicians Hall of Fame and President Andrew Jackson’s home, The Hermitage, will send history buffs home satisfied. The new Riverfront Park, which includes Ascend Amphitheater, is a beautiful green space along the downtown riverfront, and the Parthenon and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts are great places to go for fine art. And Nashville’s many neighborhoods will draw you in with their architecture, their restaurants and their shops.

Wherever you go and whatever you see, I hope you’ll have a great time and that you’ll want to come back often. Thank you for being here, and enjoy the show!

Sincerely,

Megan Barry Mayor of Nashville

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PR ACTICE MAKES PATRร N. ALL ACHIEVEMENTS, FROM HANDCRAFTING THE PERFECT TEQUILA TO MAKING GREAT MUSIC, TAKE

The perfect way to enjoy Patrรณn is responsibly. Handcrafted and imported exclusively from Mexico by The Patrรณn Spirits Company, Las Vegas, NV. 40% abv.

HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE 2015 CMA NOMINEES AND WINNERS.

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If you love tradition, you are in for a real treat. We are gathered tonight in Nashville for the grandest tradition in all of Country Music.

As Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors, it is my honor to welcome you to Country Music’s Biggest Night — “The 49 th Annual CMA Awards!”

Whether you are inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, at home watching on television in the U.S., or catching the live show on the Internet — we’re all bound by a common love of the music we hold so dear.

This night is about honoring the artists who inspire, the songwriters who make us laugh, and smile, and sometimes touch our deepest emotions through lyric and melody. This night is also for recognizing the musicians whose talents make our hearts and voices sing, and the producers and music video directors who help turn Country songs into unforgettable masterpieces.

These traditions — handing out CMA Awards trophies to the most deserving in the Country format — will continue year after year, long after tonight. We’ve been doing this since 1967, when the very first CMA Award was handed out, its shape resembling a radio chart bullet.

Times change. Styles change. But these traditions will carry on forever. We meet on a night like this every November because we are bound by the music we love.

As we look back at 2015, we see that the world is wrapped up in the Country love story. The world has fallen in love with Country.

Audiences around the globe are finding Country Music in new ways, seeking out Country through computer and mobile devices, through streaming services, and through music videos on sites like YouTube. There is momentum, with Country doing its part to find a way into the hearts of fans wherever they live.

CMA is an organization has the utmost dedication to advancing Country Music around the world. The finest example of this is with our illustrious hosts, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. We cannot thank them enough for their service to Country Music not only through their own amazing careers, but for the time they spend preparing to entertain us tonight. They are the premiere ambassadors of Country Music.

Also, we extend a huge ‘thank you’ to Executive Producer Robert Deaton for his tireless passion in making this Country Music’s Biggest Night. Also, to CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, to our great partners at ABC TV, and to our CMA Board and all of our members, we cannot thank you enough for your devotion to the format and to this signature event.

We love this music, full of traditions. We love the artists, the songs, the concerts, the thrill of the live shows, the passion of our fans, and how we connect emotionally to the Country stories and wide ranging feelings of hope, joy, humor, heartache, loss, longing and so much more.

On behalf of the CMA management, staff and Board of Directors, I extend the warmest welcome tonight as another chapter in this CMA Awards story unfolds!

We hope you enjoy the show!

Frank Bumstead CMA Board Chairman Hello Country Music fans!

It is my greatest pleasure and honor as CMA Board President to welcome you to “The 49 th Annual CMA Awards!”

Tonight, we’ll laugh a lot, and some of the magic moments might make us cry. At times, we might even scratch our heads and wonder — “What the hell is he thinking?” when host Brad Paisley pulls one of his famous pranks — and that’s totally OK. And, as happens every year at the CMA Awards, we’ll make history. We will honor 2015’s highest achievers in Country Music and celebrate their broad range of gifts as artists, songwriters, producers, musicians and music video directors.

Paisley and Carrie Underwood lend their extraordinary talents again as hosts at the CMA Awards, and we are beyond grateful that they are here in Nashville to entertain and guide us through the night. We cannot thank them enough for the time and hard work they spend in preparation.

At CMA, we are dedicated to heralding Country Music — America’s music — to fans around the world. We enthusiastically welcome you, fans and industry alike, as we recognize and celebrate the musical achievements and entertainment excellence of our nominees.

I, along with the CMA Board of Directors, CMA Board Chairman Frank Bumstead and the CMA staff, congratulate every nominee for their outstanding achievements in the world of Country Music. Without your devotion to this craft, there would be no CMA Awards. You are the reason we are here and all of you deserve a standing ovation.

Executive Producer Robert Deaton also deserves our applause for his passion and creativity, and for his ability to pull together all of the magic that goes into crafting Country Music’s Biggest Night. As always, well done, Robert! We are also most grateful for the talent at ABC Television Network. All of us at CMA cherish the partnership we have with ABC in delivering the Awards to the world.

To our entire industry, and to anyone who works behind the scenes to deliver the sweet sounds of Country Music — thank you!

This is yours. Celebrate!

Now, kick back and relax and have an outstanding night! Enjoy the show!

John Esposito CMA Board President

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CONGRATULATIONS

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE ON YOUR NOMINATION FOR THE CMA VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

MTN DEW ® IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE

49TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS

AND THE OFFICIAL SOFT DRINK OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION DEW, MTN DEW, the MTN DEW Logo, the Mtn Dew Landscape and DO THE DEW are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.

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Dear Fans and Friends, It is my great honor to welcome all of you to “The 49 th Annual CMA Awards — Country Music’s Biggest Night!” We have an exciting night in store as we pay tribute to the talented, artistic members of our Country Music community who have excelled this year.

For almost 50 years, the trophies we give to the CMA Award winners have represented Country Music’s pinnacle achievement. This night is the ultimate milestone for the talented artists, musicians, songwriters, directors and producers who work incredibly hard each year to entertain millions of fans worldwide.

On behalf of the entire CMA staff, congratulations to all CMA Awards and CMA Broadcast Awards nominees and winners. Your work is deserving of our highest praise.

While tonight we celebrate the best of the best, the Country Music industry, CMA Members and CMA Board are also celebrating our unique common bond — a love of Country. This televised event is the heart of one of the most treasured American traditions, and we are honored to carry it forward for all fans, young and old.

We extend our deepest thanks to Brad and Carrie for returning to host the CMA Awards! Every year, we are excited to see how you entertain us on stage, keeping us entertained and engaged until the very last Award is presented. We also send thanks to Executive Producer Robert Deaton and the TV production crew, vendors and contractors. We know how tirelessly you work to create the magic of the greatest televised Awards show around. Thank you!

We also take a moment to reflect on cherished members of our music community that we lost this past year, including Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Jim Ed Brown, Billy Sherrill and Little Jimmy Dickens, among others. We also remember former CMA Board Member Jeff Walker, who was tirelessly devoted to his work on the Board.

Tonight is a special evening indeed. In addition to recognizing our amazing 2015 winners, we are also kicking off the yearlong celebration of the 50 th Anniversary of the CMA Awards. Please keep checking throughout the year at CMAawards50.com as we celebrate the legendary and iconic moments that have helped forge our powerful and deep connection with Country Music’s fans and to our history.

We do not know what the next 50 years holds for Country Music. We don’t know what styles will be in fashion, what new sounds we will hear, what collaborations and fusions may emerge. But we do know this: 50 years from now, the moments we share tonight will be looked back on with awe and wonder. Who knows? Maybe some of you who are here in this room will also be here then, to tell firsthand what you saw and heard and dreamed here tonight.

So please, take it all in. Take lots of pictures. Make lots of memories. Remember these moments, and cherish them. Tonight we are all helping craft the story that we will tell over our next 50 years.

CMA Chief Executive Officer

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Taking you behind the music and inside the lives of the hottest country stars

Exclusive in-magazine supplement now delivered to PEOPLE subscribers in select issues Visit PEOPLE.com/peoplecountry to begin receiving PEOPLE Country as part of your subscription Š2015 Time Inc.

CMA Broadcast Awards 2015 CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS NATIONAL

“The Big D and Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins, Sean Powell, and Patrick Thomas) Compass Media Networks

MAJOR

“Ben and Matt in the Morning” Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.

LARGE

“Karen, Scott & Radar” (Karen Dalessandro, Scott Dolphin, and Tony “Radar” Hess) WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.

2015 CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS

MAJOR

WPOC – Baltimore, Md.

LARGE

WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.

MEDIUM

MEDIUM

“Andy & Alison and The Morning Crew” (Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer and Jimmy Holt) WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.

WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.

SMALL SMALL

KCLR – Columbia, Mo.

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photos and logos: courtesy of the winners

“The Dex & Mo Show” (Bill “Dex” Poindexter and Melissa “Mo” Turner) WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.

NATIONAL

2015 CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR FINALISTS “The Crook and Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) iHeartMedia

“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight) Westwood One

MAJOR

“The Michael J Show” (Michael J. Stuehler) WPOC, Baltimore, Md.

“Paul Schadt and Meg in the Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly and Geof Knight) WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./ Rock Hill, S.C.

“The Q Morning Zoo” (Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline and Erica Rico) KKBQ, Houston/Galveston, Texas

“The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle and Jason Statt) WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio

“Mornings with Dave O’Brien” (Dave O’Brien) WLHK, Indianapolis, Ind.

“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young and Janie Carothers) WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

“Randy and Jamie” (Randy Carroll and Jamie Martin) KAJA, San Antonio, Texas

“The 97 Country Breakfast Club” (Roger Todd, Melissa Moran and Dale Sellers) WPCV, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.

“DJ Walker In The Morning” (Dennis Walker and Jim Wells) KATM, Stockton, Calif.

“Maverick & Lulu” (Maverick Johnson and Luanne Kyrsz) WCTQ, Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.

“Tom and Becky” (Tom Owens and Becky Palmer) WBBS, Syracuse, N.Y.

“Ken and Daniel” (Ken Hicks and Daniel Wyatt) WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.

“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Cara Denis) KCLR, Columbia, Mo.

“Barrel Boy @ Night” (Eric Gruneisen) KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.

LARGE SMALL

photos: courtesy of the finalists

MEDIUM

“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry) KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.

“Bobby and Steve Show” (Bobby Cook and Steve Schwetman) WKYQ, Paducah, Ky.

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

| 81

CMA Broadcast Awards

MAJOR

WKKT Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./ Rock Hill, S.C.

WKLB Boston, Mass.

WSOC Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./ Rock Hill, S.C.

WCOL Columbus, Ohio

WLHK Indianapolis, Ind.

WQIK Jacksonville, Fla.

WUBE Cincinnati, Ohio

SMALL

MEDIUM

KNIX Phoenix, Ariz.

LARGE

2015 CMA R ADIO STATION OF THE YE AR FINALISTS

CKRY Calgary, Alta.

KUZZ Bakersfield, Calif.

KFDI Wichita, Kan.

KTTS Springfield, Mo.

WBBS Syracuse, N.Y.

WCTQ Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.

WGSQ Cookeville, Tenn.

WHKO Dayton, OH

WHWY Ft. Walton Beach/Destin, Fla.

photo: Donn Jones; logos: courtesy of the finalists

2014 CMA BROADCAST AWARDS WINNERS (FRONT) HOSS MICHAELS, MIKE WHELESS, JANIE CAROTHERS, LON HELTON, MARTY YOUNG, BUZZ JACKSON, GREG "STYCKMAN" OWENS, (MIDDLE) GEORGE ACHAVES, ERIK JOHNSON, JEFF "MAVERICK" BOLEN, LAURIE DeYOUNG, DANIEL WYATT, LISA McKAY, "COWBOY" KYLE CROFT, (BACK) JASON STATT, CHRIS CARR, KEN HICKS and GATOR HARRISON.

82 |

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

ATTENDING THE

TAPING ON SATURDAY NOV. 7?

Please bring an unwrapped toy and drop it in the specially-marked bins on the Grand Ole Opry House Plaza for a child in need this holiday season. #ShareTheJoy

board of directors OFFICERS

2015

FRANK BUMSTEAD

JOHN ESPOSITO

SALLY WILLIAMS

JESSIE SCHMIDT

ERIC DARKEN

J. WILLIAM DENNY

President Elect Ryman Auditorium

President Warner Music Nashville

Secretary/Treasurer Schmidt Relations

DIRECTORS

Chairman Flood, Bumstead, McCready, & McCarthy, Inc.

JIM BEAVERS

BECKY BRENNER

Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists

MIKE DUNGAN

KERRI EDWARDS

PAT HIGDON

CLAY HUNNICUTT

Universal Music Group Nashville

BRETT ELDREDGE

KP Entertainment

Patrick Joseph Music

KEVIN NEAL

STACEY SCHLITZ

ShopKeeper Management

JENNIE SMYTHE

Moo TV

KAREN FAIRCHILD

JOHN MARKS

SHANE McANALLY

THE 49

EBIE McFARLAND

Essential Broadcast Media, LLC

Smack Songs, LLC

TROY TOMLINSON

Sony/ATV Music Publishing

EX-OFFICIO

JIM FREE

The Smith-Free Group, LLC

84 |

JOE GALANTE

KENNY GREENBERG

RALPH PEER II

CHARLIE MORGAN

Emmis Communications

BRIAN PHILIPS

peermusic

CMT - MTV Networks

LARRY VALLON

ED WARM

R. HORTON FRANK

RICHARD FRANK

AEG Live

Greenberg Music

Joe's Bar

DWIGHT WILES

Smith Wiles & Company

LEGAL COUNSEL

Girlilla Marketing

AMP Entertainment

Galante Entertainment Organization

Little Big Town

GARY OVERTON

AEG Europe

Live Nation Nashville

SCOTT SCOVILL

SchlitzLAW

TED ELLIS

MILLY OLYKAN

BRIAN O’CONNELL

TIM DuBOIS

Denny Properties

Eric Darken Music

Harbour Media

MARION KRAFT

Big Loud Records

William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC

MARK BRIGHT

Mark Bright Productions

TH

BUTCH SPYRIDON

KYLE YOUNG

Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

ANNUAL CMA AWARDS

Watkins & McNeilly, PLLC

Counsel Emeritus

JOEL KATZ

Greenberg Traurig, LLC

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

CHARLIE ANDERSON

MARCIE ALLEN

KIX BROOKS

MAC Presents

Anderson Media Corporation

LUKE BRYAN

STEVE BUCHANAN

JOHN HUIE

BRETT JAMES

Creative Artists Agency

DEB McDERMOTT

SALLY SEITZ

VICTORIA SHAW

iTunes

Songalicious Publishing

BEN VAUGHN

JIM ED NORMAN

Warner/Chappell Music

TROY VOLLHOFFER

BOB SHENNAN

Premiere Global Production Company

BBC

BILL SIMMONS

JEFF WALKER

ROB POTTS

JEFF STEVENS

Jeff Stevens Music

Maverick

BMI

GREG HILL

MICHAEL MARTIN

BBR Music Group

CLARENCE SPALDING

JODY WILLIAMS

Sea Gayle Music

Hill Entertainment Group

Rob Potts Entertainment Edge

Sandbox Entertainment

CHRIS DuBOIS

JON LOBA

KEN LEVITAN

Vector Management

The Fitzgerald Hartley Company

AristoMedia Group

BOB DIPIERO

Love Monkey Music

Morris Higham Management

JASON OWEN

The Curb Group

Entercom Communications

SCOTT BORCHETTA

Big Machine Label Group

CLINT HIGHAM

LON HELTON

Country Aircheck

peermusic

Townsquare Media

MIKE MOORE

Media General

JOHN DICKEY

MICHAEL KNOX

KURT JOHNSON

Cornman Music

TONY CONWAY

ED HARDY

Cox Media Group

The H.Q.

DIERKS BENTLEY

Conway Entertainment Group

Opry Entertainment

JEFF GARRISON

ANN EDELBLUTE

ROB BECKHAM

William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC

ASCAP

DAVID ROSS

BossRoss Media

MIKE VADEN

Decosimo Vaden

CHRIS YOUNG

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

| 85

2014

Presenters & Red Carpet

STEVEN TYLER

BRETT ELDREDGE, BRANDY CLARK, KIP MOORE

LEE BRICE, BRANTLEY GILBERT

DUSTIN LYNCH

ASHLEY MONROE

COLE SWINDELL

TRISHA YEARWOOD

JENNIFER NETTLES

86 |

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

photos: Donn Jones and John Russell

LUCY HALE

LILY ALDRIDGE, SAM HUNT

MARTINA McBRIDE, CONNIE BRITTON

BROTHERS OSBORNE

MADDIE & TAE

HUNTER HAYES

RAELYNN

THOMAS RHETT

DARIUS RUCKER, TIM TEBOW

LUCY HALE, DAN + SHAY

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

| 87

2014 Performances

KENNY CHESNEY “American Kids”

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE “Dirt”

LITTLE BIG TOWN and ARIANA GRANDE “Day Drinking” / “Bang Bang”

TAYLOR SWIFT “Red”

DOOBIE BROTHERS and HUNTER HAYES, HILLARY SCOTT and JENNIFER NETTLES “Listen to the Music”

TIM McGRAW “Shotgun Rider”

JASON ALDEAN “Burnin’ It Down” DIERKS BENTLEY “Drunk on a Plane”

88 |

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

KEITH URBAN “Somewhere in My Car” photos: Donn Jones and John Russell

BRAD PAISLEY “Perfect Storm”

MIRANDA LAMBERT and MEGHAN TRAINOR “All About That Bass”

THE BAND PERRY “Gentle on My Mind”

KACEY MUSGRAVES and LORETTA LYNN “You’re Lookin’ at Country” ERIC CHURCH and GEORGE STRAIT “Cowboys Like Us”

LADY ANTEBELLUM “Bartender” COLE SWINDELL “Chillin’ It”

BLAKE SHELTON and ASHLEY MONROE “Lonely Tonight”

THOMAS RHETT “Get Me Some of That”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD “Something in the Water”

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

| 89

2014

winners

SHANE McANALLY, KACEY MUSGRAVES and BRANDY CLARK Song of the Year

MIRANDA LAMBERT and KEITH URBAN Musical Event of the Year (Presented on "Good Morning America")

MAC McANALLY Musician of the Year

LUKE BRYAN Entertainer of the Year

BRETT ELDREDGE New Artist of the Year

MIRANDA LAMBERT Female Vocalist of the Year Album of the Year Single of the Year

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE Vocal Duo of the Year

LITTLE BIG TOWN Vocal Group of the Year

BLAKE SHELTON Male Vocalist of the Year DIERKS BENTLEY Music Video of the Year (Pre-broadcast presentation)

90 |

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

The biggest celebration of America’s music starts now.

CMAawards50.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF " T H E 4 9 TH T H E A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S "

wishes to thank all of the Metro Nashville Public Works 2015 CMA Awards partners

Bridgestone Arena

Cube Services, Inc.

Metro Nashville Fire Department

Deloitte & Touche

MicnE Productions, LLC

DeWitt Stern Group

Morris Light & Sound

Downtown Merchants Association

Nashville Office of Emergency Management ®

Election Services Corporation

Office of Mayor Megan Barry

First Baptist Church of Nashville

Prevost

Halo Branded Solutions

REACH

Hi-Fi Fusion

Sklarin Communications

HollyPoint Consulting

Stewart Transportation

Karl Dean

Vision Visual PEPSI_H1_NB_SM_4C (FOR USE .25” 1.5" )

Matthew Zelkind

Quest Drape

Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

Weldon Williams & Lick

CMYK

Metro Nashville Police Department PEPSI_H1_NB_MEDIUM_4C (FOR USE 1.5" TO 4") CMYK

92 |

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S PEPSI_H1_NB_LARGE_4C (4" AND LARGER) CMYK

OFFICIAL

MERCHANDISE

Available on the Bridgestone Arena main concourse and online at CMAawards.com

CMA Awards Credits and Staff CMA AWARDS PROGRAM BOOK

Amanda Eckard Editorial Director Christian Bottorff Managing Editor Marty Filogamo Art Director Evamarie Oglander Graphic Design Devin Samuel Assistant Editor Nina Small Writer/Research Lara Henley Ad Sales Tommy Rogers, McQuiddy Printing

CMA AWARDS PRODUCTION

Robert Deaton Executive Producer Paul Miller Director Bill Bradshaw Producer David Wild Writer Jillian Ellis Line Producer Lee Lodge Producer Bruce Rogers Production Designer Bob Dickinson Lighting Designer Sara Foster Talent Executive Traci Jones Talent Executive Steve Gibson Musical Director Christine Clark Bradley Associate Director Pam Repp Associate Director Chase Simonds Post Producer

FOR THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION Frank Bumstead John Esposito

CMA Board Chairman CMA Board President

CMA AWARDS PROGRAM BOOK ARCHIVE PHOTOGRAPHY Beth Gwinn, Jim Hagans, Chris Hollo of Hollo Photographics, Inc., Robin Hood, Donn Jones, John Lee, Alan L. Mayor, Theresa Montgomery, Don Putnam, John Russell, C.J. Shelker and Kay Williams.

All photographs and logos used by permission.

Robert Mills

Jana Winograde Kevin Brockman

Darren Schillace

Erin Weir Robert Mills Becky Daugherty Wendell Foster

Hope Hartman Pash Michael Bassett Gary Shanas Victoria Chew Lucas Aragon Ben Blatt Keith Grant Bridgette Maney Nicole Marostica Lindsay Bartold Brenda Lau

Senior VP, Alternative Series, Specials & Late Night Executive VP, Business Affairs Executive VP, Global Communications, Disney–ABC Television Group Senior VP, ABC Entertainment Marketing Strategy VP, ABC Entertainment Marketing Strategy VP, Alternative Series VP, Marketing Dramas and Specials VP, Multiplatform Programming and Scheduling VP, Media Relations VP, Brand and Creative Management Director, Marketing Services VP, Media Strategy VP, Marketing Partnerships and Synergy Director, Design & On-Air Graphics Executive Director, Digital Strategy Creative Director Publicity Director Director, Communications Manager, Marketing Strategy Senior Writer/Producer

CMA STAFF LIAISONS FOR BALLOTING

Brandi Simms Brenden Oliver

Senior Director of Membership and Balloting Membership and Balloting Coordinator

CMA AWARDS BALLOTING

Conducted by Anissa Nelson-Carlisle Lauren Lange

Deloitte & Touche LLP Partner, Audit & Enterprise Risk Services Senior Manager, Audit & Enterprise Risk Services

CMA BOARD AWARDS & RECOGNITION COMMITTEE

Jon Loba Shane McAnally

Kevin Wilson Aaron Hartley

Communications Wendy Pearl Jay Jones Krista Dial Courtney Beebe

Senior Vice President of Business Affairs Senior Manager of Administrative Services

Vice President of Corporate Communications Director of Media Relations Manager of Media Relations Communications Coordinator

Finance and Administration Amy Smartt

Ken Sanderson Jennifer Crowder Ben Balch Melissa Maynard Justin Randall Taylor Tapp Angela Brown MaryAnn Dicks Lindsey Jones Marco Castillo

Live Events

Chris Crawford Diane Bearden-Enright Kris Kennedy Vilma Salinas Greg Pitman Mandi Naylor

Damon Whiteside

Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration Director of Information Technology Senior Manager of Accounting Services Manager of Accounting Services Manager of Operations Network Administrator Systems and Application Manager Accounting Coordinator Finance and Administration Coordinator Operations and Administration Coordinator Operations Assistant

Senior Director of Live Events Senior Manager of Meetings and Logistics Senior Manager of Events Senior Manager of Event Logistics Production Manager Live Events Coordinator

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships

MARKET RESEARCH

Karen Stump Carolyn Szczurek Natalie Wilson

Senior Director of Market Research Senior Manager of Market Research Senior Coordinator of Market Research

MARKETING

CMA Awards Program Book is published by the Country Music Association. Printed by McQuiddy, Inc. One Music Circle South | Nashville, TN 37203-4312 tel: (615) 244-2840; fax: (615) 242-4783 | CMAworld.com

FOR THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

94 |

Business Affairs

Chief Executive Officer Executive Assistant

Marketing/Research/Strategic Partnerships

Chairman Vice Chairman

Rob Beckham Kix Brooks Kerri Edwards Brett Eldredge Kenny Greenberg Lon Helton Brett James Michael Knox John Marks Ebie McFarland Brian O'Connell Robert Oermann Gary Overton Jason Owen Scott Scovill Clarence Spalding Chris Young

Ben Sherwood

Paul Lee Geri Wang Andy Kubitz Marla Provencio

CMA STAFF

Sarah Trahern Mechalle Meyers

Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks & President, Disney–ABC Television Group President, ABC Entertainment Group President, Primetime Sales & Marketing Executive VP, ABC Entertainment Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer, ABC Entertainment Marketing

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S

CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the more than 7,000 industry professional members of CMA, the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. The CMA Awards was broadcast on NBC in 1968 — making it the longest running annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971, on CBS from 1972 through 2005 and on ABC since 2006.

“The 49th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. © 2015 Country Music Association, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The Country Music Association Logo and the CMA Awards Logo are registered trademarked and may not be reproduced without written permission. CMA owns the registered trademarks, CMA Awards and “Country Music’s Biggest Night.™”

Catherine Blackwell Amanda Eckard Christian Bottorff Scott Frans Mary Overend Amanda Haeffner Marty Filogamo Alina Thompson

Director of Marketing Director of Creative Services Manager of Creative Services Digital Project Manager Digital Marketing Manager Marketing Manager Digital Designer Marketing Coordinator

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Emily Evans Lara Henley Michelle Jacobs Cody Lynch

Director of Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships Marketing and Partnerships Assistant

Membership and Balloting Brandi Simms Tiffany Kerns Brenden Oliver Carrie Tekautz

Senior Director of Membership and Balloting Community Outreach Manager Coordinator of Membership and Balloting Membership and Balloting Assistant

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS.

The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience

THANK YOU

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF " T H E 4 9 TH T H E A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S "

96 |

BBC Radio 2

Metro Nashville Public Works

Bridgestone Arena

Metro Nashville Fire Department

Cube Services, Inc.

MicnE Productions, LLC

Deloitte & Touche

Morris Light & Sound

DeWitt Stern Group

Nashville Office of Emergency Management

Downtown Merchants Association

NRK

Election Services Corporation

Office of Mayor Megan Barry

First Baptist Church of Nashville

Prevost

Foxtel

Quest Drape

Halo Branded Solutions

REACH

Hi-Fi Fusion

Rogers Media Inc.

HollyPoint Consulting

SKY Arts

Karl Dean

Sklarin Communications

Matthew Zelkind/WKRN

Stewart Transportation

Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

Vision Visual

Metro Nashville Police Department

Weldon, Williams & Lick

T H E 4 9 TH A N N U A L C M A A W A R D S