CMA Announces International Award Recipients

Kacey Musgraves and Bob Harris receive CMA International Awards during the recent C2C London event. (L-R): Mark Hagen, Executive Producer, BBC; Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recipient Bob Harris, host of “Bob Harris Country” on BBC Radio 2; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; International Artist Achievement Award recipient Kacey Musgraves; Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment President/CEO and CMA Board member. Photo: Anthony D’Angio/CMA

The Country Music Association announced today (March 21) the 2016 recipients of the organization’s International Awards.

The timing of the announcement coincided with the recent C2C London event, where more than 60,000 fans attended a weekend of live performances from the biggest names in country music, alongside emerging artists from the U.K. and Europe. CMA-sponsored activities included the sold-out CMA Songwriters Series featuring Charles Esten, Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, Charlie Worsham, and host Shane McAnally, with a surprise appearance by Miranda Lambert.

The CMA Talks series included “Live with Charles Esten” and “Nashville Heavy Hitters” with Susan Bank, Mike Dungan, Ali Harnell, and Randy Goodman.

During the event, Kacey Musgraves was presented the International Artist Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 personality Bob Harris. The singer then surprised the respected broadcaster with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. Harris has more than four decades of experience covering music, and is currently on BBC Radio 2. He has been the recipient of three CMA International Awards.

International superstar Reba congratulated Musgraves and Harris, and notified fellow award recipients Gord Bamford and Paul McGuire of Canada via personalized email video messages. Watch Reba’s announcement.

Bamford is winning the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award. Bamford is a 22-time Canadian Country Music Award winner. His seventh studio album will be released on Sony Music Canada this month.

McGuire, host of multiple CMT radio and television shows in Canada, receives the International Country Broadcaster Award.

Jeff Walker posthumously receives the Jo Walker-Meador International Award. Walker was a CMA Board member who worked tirelessly to advance country music in foreign markets, including developing international events during CMA Music Festival. He served on the boards of prominent International Country Music associations in Canada and Australia.

CMA International Awards are voted on by CMA International Membership as well as a panel of domestic U.S.-based industry.