CMA Presents Two International Awards & Celebrates Return To C2C Festival

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Pictured (L-R): CMA’s Milly Olykan, Holler‘s Ross Jones, Baylen Leonard and CMA’s Meredith Goucher. Photo: Luke Dyson for CMA

The Country Music Association presented two CMA International Awards while celebrating its return to Country to Country (C2C) Festival this past week.

Carly Pearce & Ricky Ross. Photo: BBC Radio Scotland

CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development Milly Olykan and radio broadcaster Baylen Leonard surprised Holler Editor Ross Jones on stage during the sold-out CMA Songwriters Series on Thursday (March 7) with the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award for his vision and efforts to expand country music globally.

Kicking off the festival weekend, the CMA Songwriters Series featured performances by host Charlie Worsham as well as Colbie Caillat, Lauren Alaina, Stephen Wilson Jr. and special guests Abbey Cone and Fancy Hagood.

Country star Carly Pearce honored longtime BBC radio host Ricky Ross during an interview on BBC Radio Scotland’s Another Country with the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award on Sunday (March 10) for his successful broadcasting career.

Additionally, the organization’s international touring series, “Introducing Nashville,” opened each festival stop in Rotterdam, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, London, Belfast and Glasglow with artists including Karley Scott Collins, Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins and Greylan James.

“After a historic year of international growth in county music, it is truly remarkable to have been at C2C this past week surrounded by the very fans who continue to contribute to our format’s achievements,” says Olykan. “In 2023, our genre reached unprecedented heights worldwide, and the momentum is set to continue in 2024. Presenting this unique array of country music to our fans feels especially rewarding this year, where we are at an exciting crossroads with our genre attracting wider engagement from artists, industry and fans who are wanting to participate more in country music.”

Liza Anderson
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