Country Music Association

The Country Music Association (CMA) was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre. The objectives of the organization are to guide and enhance the development of Country Music throughout the world; to demonstrate it as a viable medium to advertisers, consumers and media; and to provide a unity of purpose for the Country Music industry.

Related Topics:
1958 - Nashville - Tennessee - Country Music

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Initially, CMA's Board of Directors included nine directors and five officers. Wesley Rose, president of Acuff-Rose Publishing, Inc., served as CMA's first chairman of the board. Broadcasting entrepreneur and executive Connie B. Gay was the founding president.

Related Topics:
Wesley Rose - Acuff-Rose Publishing, Inc. - Connie B. Gay

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Originally there were nine individual membership categories. The current 15 categories represent all facets of the music industry. Organizational memberships are also available. CMA membership is composed of those persons or organizations that are involved in Country Music, directly and substantially.

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The first CMA Awards ceremony was held in 1967 in Nashville. Sonny James and Bobbie Gentry hosted the event, which was not televised. The winner of the first "Entertainer of the Year" award was singer Eddy Arnold. "Male Vocalist of the Year" went to Jack Green and "Female Vocalist of the Year" to Loretta Lynn.

Related Topics:
1967 - Sonny James - Bobbie Gentry - Eddy Arnold - Jack Green - Loretta Lynn

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In 1968, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans hosted the awards, which was televised from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The first live telecast of the show was in 1969.

Related Topics:
1968 - Roy Rogers - Dale Evans - Ryman Auditorium - 1969

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Annual awards are given in the following twelve categories: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Horizon Award, Vocal Group, Vocal Duo, Single, Album, Song, Music Event, Music Video, and Musician.

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