CMA Presents International Awards In Sydney & London To The Shires, Michael Chugg, More

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Pictured (L-R): Helen Thomas, Head of Station at BBC Radio 2; Bob Harris, OBE, Presenter at BBC Radio 2; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; The Shires’ Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle; and Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

The CMA awarded four of its 2021 CMA International Awards this month in Sydney and London.

“The CMA International Awards honor some of the many individuals that we are proud to know and work with in our international country community,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “As country music continues to develop and expand its audiences around the world, we could not do what we do without the work and resources these individuals put in to build and promote country music in their market. We are grateful for their continued support and thrilled to honor them with these awards.”

Pictured (L-R): Natalie Waller, Head of ABC Music and Events, Michael Chugg, Susan Heymann, Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Touring, and Jeremy Dylan, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment. Photo: Mia Maclean

Australian promoter Michael Chugg was awarded the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award through a video message from Morgan Evans (whose longtime manager was Potts); CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern, Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito, and Australian country artist Casey Barnes.

While in London, Absolute Radio Country U.K. broadcaster Baylen Leonard was awarded the International Country Broadcaster Award; Ricky Marshall, Program Manager at Absolute Radio Country, was presented with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award; and U.K. Country duo, The Shires were awarded the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award during C2C weekend in London.

Pictured (L-R): Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development, Ricky Marshall, Baylen Leonard, and Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA

Trahern presented Leonard and Marshall with their awards on stage at the sold-out CMA Songwriters Series event on March 10, and The Shires were presented with their award at a CMA-hosted reception on March 11.

Previously announced 2021 CMA International Award recipients include Luke Combs, who was presented the International Artist Achievement Award; and Chris York, Director of SJM Concerts and one of the founding co-promoters of Country to Country (C2C), who was presented the Jo Walker Meador International Award.

The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in six categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for country music in their local territories.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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