Country Music Association Presents Touring Awards In Nashville
(Top Row L-R) Michael Zuehsow, Jim Varnell, Chrissy Hall (Ryman Auditorium), Austin Neal, Donnie Floyd, Kevin Northrup, Ella Farrell, Autumn Farrell, Clint Higham, Julie Boos, Todd Lewis, Adam Weiser, Ethan Strunk, Kris O’Connor (Dega Catering), Jerry Slone, Tyler Hutcheson, Robin Majors, Charlie Worsham, Neville Drew Shende (Wendy Holt) and Sarah Trahern. (Bottom Row L-R) Keith Urban and Luke Combs.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
The Country Music Association presented its annual CMA Touring Awards this week in Nashville honoring touring pros in country music.
Hosted by Keith Urban, the ceremony was held Monday in Nashville at Marathon Music Works, where beloved concert promoter Ben Farrell, president of Varnell Enterprises, was honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors individuals who have made a positive and lasting impact on touring at the highest level.
Farrell, who died in 2022, worked with Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, The Osmonds and many other legendary artists during his formative years in the business and went on to promote George Strait, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Garth Brooks for more than three decades.The biggest moment of the night belonged to Combs and his crew, who took home the prestigious Crew of the Year award for their work on the Growin’ Up And Gettin’ Old Tour. Now in its second year, this coveted honor celebrates the ultimate road team—one that sets the standard for professionalism, skill, teamwork, hospitality, innovation and heart.
The Luke Combs’ team dominated the proceedings claiming seven of the nights’ 20 award categories including Crew of the Year for their work on the “Growin’ Up And Gettin’ Old Tour.” Now in its second year, the award celebrates the ultimate road team for their professionalism, skill, teamwork, hospitality and innovation. Combs accepted the award alongside his crew saying, “We’re going to take this trophy to places country music has never been before.”
During the ceremony, CMA announced that applications for the Touring Mentorship program were open through March 12. The initiative connects early-career touring professionals with experienced mentors who offer guidance and real-world insights to help set them up for industry success.
Created by the CMA Board to honor the touring industry and dubbed the SRO Awards in 1990, the awards took a 15-year hiatus before the organization brought them back in 2012 as the CMA Touring Awards.
Only CMA members in the Advertising/Public Relations/Media, Affiliated, Artist, Entertainment Services, International, Marketing/Digital, Musician, Personal Manager, Record Company, Talent Agent, Talent Buyer/Promoter, Touring Personnel and Venue categories vote for the CMA Touring Awards.
After two rounds of balloting, five to eight finalists are selected by a CMA Board approved task force. The winners are determined by a final round of voting and announced at the annual CMA Touring Awards ceremony.
CATEGORY 1 – CREW OF THE YEAR
“Growin’ Up And Gettin’ Old Tour” Crew – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 2 – BACKLINE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
Derek Benitez – Chris Stapleton
CATEGORY 3 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Julie Boos – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy
CATEGORY 4 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Wendy Holt – Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 5 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Todd Lewis – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 6 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Kevin Northrup – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 7 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Clint Higham – Morris Higham Management
CATEGORY 8 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Michael Zuehsow – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 9 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Jerry Slone – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 10 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Carla Sacks – Sacks & Co.
CATEGORY 11 – STAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Donnie Floyd – Morgan Wallen
CATEGORY 12 – SUPPORT SERVICES COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering – Nashville, TN
CATEGORY 13 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Austin Neal – The Neal Agency
CATEGORY 14 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Adam Weiser – AEG Presents
CATEGORY 15 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Ethan Strunk – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 16 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Charlie Worsham – Dierks Bentley
CATEGORY 17 – TOUR VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Andy Barron – Chris Stapleton
CATEGORY 18 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Tyler Hutcheson – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 19 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Ryman Auditorium– Nashville, TN
CATEGORY 20 – UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR
Robin Majors – Kenny Chesney
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