CMA Honors Frank Bumstead & Dick McCullough With 2022 J. William Denny Award

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The Country Music Association presented the 2022 J. William Denny Award to industry veterans Frank Bumstead and Dick McCullough on Nov. 30.

The J. William Denny Award is given in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedication, distinguished service, and meritorious contributions to the CMA Board of Directors. Bumstead received the honor during the CMA’s Board of Directors meeting in Nashville, while McCullough accepted his award via Zoom.

Pictured (L-R): CMA’s Sarah Trahern, Frank Bumstead, and CMA’s Jim Beavers. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

As a founding owner of the entertainment business management firm FBMM, Bumstead has over 40 years of experience as a professional financial advisor and business manager. He served on the CMA Board for 12 years and played a crucial role in directing the financial stability of the organization through his service on CMA’s Finance & Audit Committee. In addition to fulfilling leadership positions on various committees, he assumed the role of Chairman in 2015.

An advertising executive who was instrumental in broadening and exposing country music’s brand to mainstream audiences in the 1980s and 1990s, McCullough was a strong proponent of CMA’s role in the global promotion of country music and served on the CMA Board for 20 years, including back-to-back years as President in 1984 and 1985.

Dick McCullough. Photo: Courtesy of Dick McCullough

Additionally, CMA recognized several long-serving Board members for their contributions to the organization. Jim Beavers (CMA Board Chairman and songwriter) presented the CMA Chairman’s Award to two of his predecessors—Mary Hilliard Harrington (2021 CMA Board Chairman and Red Light Management Senior Manager) and Kurt Johnson (2020 CMA Board Chairman and Townsquare Media President, Local Programming)—for providing unwavering guidance to CMA and the country music industry at large throughout the pandemic. During an intimate dinner, Beavers applauded both for their leadership while navigating the unprecedented time with grace and compassion.

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern also presented a crystal gavel to Beavers and a crystal globe to Charlie Morgan (CMA Board President and Apple Music President) at the dinner, in recognition of their service to the CMA Board of Directors this year.

Liza Anderson
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