The CMA Awards: 42 Years of Musical History
In the country music industry, the CMA Awards Night is widely considered as the biggest annual event where all the stars of country music galaxy descend to perform, honor fellow artists, and gain recognition for their efforts. This year marks the 42nd year in which the award giving body will honor those who have made outstanding musical contributions to the genre much loved by Americans all across the country.
How the Winners Are Chosen
CMA Awards winners are essentially chosen by their peers and colleagues from the industry. Outstanding artists and groups whose singles, albums, and music videos have been released during the eligibility period for each year are chosen via a three-step balloting process participated in by a select group of industry experts and members of the Country Music Association. For this year’s CMA Awards, the voting process will be overseen by the trusted accounting group, Deloitte & Touche LLP.
The Trophy
The CMA Award trophy is easily recognizable because of its bullet shape, and is an integral part of the awards night because it embodies the award-giving body’s stamp of approval. The first trophies were designed back in 1967 by Frank Waggoner from the Bill Hudson Advertising Agency. They were made of wood and had the trademark bullet shape. At that time, the trophies had a marble base which symbolized the strength of country music as a genre. In 1983, due to the scarcity of wood, the trophies were then made from glass which, at that time, also featured the new CMA logo. Today’s trophies are made from hand-blown glass produced in Florence, Italy and in Nashville.
Highlights
In its 42-year history, the CMA Awards has had its share of highlights and memorable performances. Perhaps one of the most unforgettable highlights happened in 1971 when Charley Pride, an African American, made history by winning both the Entertainer of the Year and Best Male Vocalist Awards. In 1983, country music heavyweights Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton teamed up for a duet singing “Islands in the Stream,” while in 1992, Channel 4 based in the UK picked up an edited telecast of the CMA Awards which it broadcast in the UK, the first time it has been done outside of North America. In 1998, the Dixie Chicks got their CMA Awards for the first time (Vocal Group of the Year and Horizon). Their win helped usher them to country music history by being the first all-female group to win the male-dominated Vocal Group category. Memorable performances in recent years saw an upsurge of newer talents flirting with the pop sound including Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, and Leann Rimes.
This Year’s Hosts
This year, two of the hottest young country artists to have scored hits in both the country and pop charts have been chosen to host the event. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, winners of the CMA Male and Female Vocalists of the Year Awards last year, will team up once again to serve as hosts for “The 42nd Annual CMA Awards.” The awards night will be broadcast by ABC live from Nashville’s Sommet Center on Nov. 12, Wednesday.
