CMA Presents Industry Honors

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Mike Curb (Chairman and Owner, Curb Records and Curb Word Entertainment) and Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer). Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

The Country Music Association presented a series of honors to industry members during its Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday (Dec. 4).

Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart presented country music historian Bill Malone with the 2024 Joe Talbot Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of country music’s values and traditions.

Pictured (L-R): Jim Beavers (Composer and CMA Board member), Kella Farris (2024 CMA Board Chairman and Partner, Farris, Self & Moore LLC), Bill Malone (country music historian) and Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer). Photo: Drew Noble/CMA

Songwriter and board member Jim Beavers presented Chairman and Owner of Curb Records and Curb Word Entertainment, Mike Curb, with the 2024 Irving Waugh Award of Excellence. The honor is given to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of demonstrated ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved country music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

Singer-songwriter Charlie Worsham presented Founder and Former Executive Director of Porter’s Call, Al Andrews, with the 2024 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award, awarded to an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy.

During the Board dinner on Thursday (Dec. 5), Founder of Spalding Entertainment, Clarence Spalding, was presented with the 2024 J. William Denny Award by Country Music Hall of Fame member Kix Brooks. This award is presented in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedication, distinguished service and meritorious contributions to the CMA Board of Directors.

In recognition of their service to the CMA Board of Directors, CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern presented mementos to outgoing CMA Board Chairman Kella Farris (Partner, Farris, Self & Moore LLC) as well as current President and incoming 2025 CMA Board Chairman Jennie Smythe (Founder and CEO, Girlilla Marketing). Farris also presented the CMA Chairman’s Award to Amy Smartt (CMA Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration). This award is not given annually, but when the incumbent Chairman feels an individual, through outstanding service to CMA, merits the recognition.

Al Andrews (Founder and Former Executive Director, Porter’s Call) and Charlie Worsham. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

Clarence Spalding (Founder, Spalding Entertainment) and Kix Brooks. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

Kella Farris (2024 CMA Board Chairman and Partner, Farris, Self & Moore LLC) and Amy Smartt (CMA Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration) Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

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