CMA Awards

The Country Music Association Awards - the CMAs
The CMA Awards are given annually to Country Music artists, song-writers, producers, musicians, video directors, and others for their achievements in Country Music.  The award winners are chosen by business members of the Country Music Association who vote for their favorite nominee in the various categories.  The annual show features special CMA award performances by top Country Music stars, various award nominees, and new up-and-coming acts. The CMA Music Awards also bring together other celebrities outside of Country Music, including famous Hollywood actors and actresses, who serve as special CMA award presenters.
 Need information about this year's Awards show?
Check out our 2009 CMA Music Awards page. 
History of the CMA Awards
Televising the CMA Awards
First presented at an untelevised ceremony in 1967, the CMA awarded their first Entertainer of the Year award to Country Music legend Eddy Arnold. NBC began broadcasting a taped version of the CMA Awards in 1968; In 1969, the CMA Music awards were televised live for the first time. CBS took over broadcasting duties in 1972 until 2006, when ABC gained control of the broadcasting rights to the annual CMA Awards show. ABC also annually airs a taped montage of the CMA Music Fest, formally known as Fan Fair, which is held in Nashville every June.
CMA Awards Shows Location
Music City's infamous Grand Ole Opry has been the home of the CMA Awards for most of its shows.  Before 1974, the awards show was held at the Ryman Auditorium and occassionally Nashville's Municipal Auditorium.  In an attempt to attract new viewers and expand its audience, the CMA moved the 2005 CMA Music Awards to Madison Square Garden in New York City.  In 2007, Nashville's Sommet Center hosted the event, and will do so again for the 2008 CMA Awards Show.
CMA Award Categories and Nominees
Annual CMA Awards are given in the following twelve categories:

 
Occasionally special awards are given, such as Lifetime Achievement awards and Hall of Fame recognitions, to Country Music legends who have spent decades making contributions to Country Music.
Previous notable CMA Award Winners include:

• 2007 CMA Awards

Entertainer of the Year:         Kenny Chesney
Song of The Year:         "Give it Away" - Bill Anderson and Jamey Johnson
Single of The Year:         "Before He Cheats" - Carrie Underwood
Album of the Year:         "It Just Comes Natural" - George Strait
Male Vocalist of the Year:         Brad Paisley
Female Vocalist of the Year:         Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year:         Sugarland
Vocal Group of the Year:         Rascal Flatts
Musician of the Year:         Jerry Douglas
Horizon Award:         Taylor Swift
Musical Event of the Year:         Tracy Lawrence with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw "Find out Who Your Friends Are"
Music Video of the Year:         "Online" - Brad Paisley

• 2002 CMA Awards

Entertainer of the Year:     Alan Jackson
Song Of The Year:     "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" - Alan Jackson
Single Of The Year:     "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" - Alan Jackson
Album Of The Year:     Drive - Alan Jackson
Male Vocalist Of The Year:     Alan Jackson
Female Vocalist Of The Year:     Martina McBride
Vocal Duo Of The Year:     Brooks & Dunn
Vocal Group Of The Year:     Dixie Chicks
Musician Of The Year:     Jerry Douglas
Horizon Award:     Rascal Flatts
Vocal Event Of The Year:     Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack - "Mendocino County Line"
Music Video Of The Year:     "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)" - Brad Paisley

• 1991 CMA Awards

Entertainer of the Year:     Garth Brooks
Song Of The Year:     "When I Call Your Name" - Vince Gill / Tim DuBois
Single Of The Year:     "Friends In Low Places" - Garth Brooks
Album Of The Year:     No Fences - Garth Brooks
Male Vocalist Of The Year:     Vince Gill
Female Vocalist Of The Year:     Tanya Tucker
Vocal Duo Of The Year:     The Judds
Vocal Group Of The Year:     Kentucky HeadHunters
Musician Of The Year:     Mark O'Connor
Horizon Award:     Travis Tritt
Vocal Event Of The Year:     Mark O'Connor & The New Nashville Cats
Music Video Of The Year:     "The Thunder Rolls" - Garth Brooks

• 1979 CMA Awards
  Entertainer of the Year:     Willie Nelson
  Song Of The Year:     "The Gambler" - Don Schlitz
  Single Of The Year:     "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" - Charlie Daniels Band
  Album Of The Year:     The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
  Male Vocalist Of The Year:     Kenny Rogers
  Female Vocalist Of The Year:     Barbara Mandrell
  Vocal Duo Of The Year:     Kenny Rogers / Dottie West
  Vocal Group Of The Year:     Statler Brothers
  Instrumentalist Of The Year:     Charlie Daniels
  Instrumental Group Of The Year:     Charlie Daniels Band
• 1969 CMA Awards

Entertainer of the Year:     Johnny Cash
Song Of The Year:     "Carroll County Accident" - Bob Ferguson
Single Of The Year:     "A Boy Named Sue" - Johnny Cash
Album Of The Year:     Johnny Cash At San Quentin Prison - Johnny Cash
Male Vocalist Of The Year:     Johnny Cash
Female Vocalist Of The Year:     Tammy Wynette
Vocal Group Of The Year:     Johnny Cash / June Carter
Instrumentalist Of The Year:     Chet Atkins
Instrumental Group Of The Year:     Danny Davis & Nashville Brass
Comedian Of The Year:     Archie Campbell

Information about last year's awards show can be found on our 2008 CMA Awards page. 
 
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