Voting Season Begins: CMA Spotlights Member Input In Awards Process [Interview]
Sarah Trahern, Tiffany Kerns
Voting for the 59th annual CMA Awards officially opens today (July 7) with the start of the Nomination Ballot. The first of three rounds, this ballot allows CMA Professional Voting Members to write in any artist or project they believe deserves recognition.
CMA leadership is encouraging members to participate early, especially in this critical first phase.
“This is a democratic process that reflects the industry itself—and with that comes responsibility,” says CMA CEO Sarah Trahern. “Being honored by your peers is at the heart of what makes the CMA Awards special.”
All eligible write-in votes count, as long as they fit the criteria for their category. The Nomination Ballot remains open through Wednesday, July 16. After that, the top 20 vote-getters in each category (and the top 15 for Entertainer of the Year) will appear on the Second Ballot, which opens Aug. 5. The Final Ballot—sent Oct. 1—will determine the winners.
This year, CMA is also introducing a change to the Song of the Year category. For the Nomination and Second Ballots, only members in the Composer, Artist, Musician, Producer/Engineer/Studio, and Publisher/PRO categories are eligible to vote. All voting members will still be eligible to vote in the Final Ballot.
Trahern says the goal is to bring more clarity to the difference between Song and Single of the Year. “We wanted to clarify that distinction for voters,” she explains. “By limiting early-round voting to those closest to the song creation process, we’re giving those with specific expertise the opportunity to weigh in on the artistic value of a song.”
She adds that Single of the Year focuses more on commercial success and consumption, noting that CMA’s addition of a dropdown menu in that category has helped remind voters of eligible releases during the July-to-June eligibility window.
The CMA has placed a strong focus this year on education and outreach to ensure members understand the process and feel empowered to participate. Tiffany Kerns, CMA’s Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy, and her team conducted member outreach at CMA Fest and other key industry events leading up to the voting cutoff in early June.
“Voting is one of the greatest benefits our members have,” says Kerns. “It’s not our awards—it’s yours. Every change you see is because we’re listening to our members.”
One common barrier to participation, she says, is the assumption that certain industry professionals aren’t eligible or that their vote doesn’t matter. “We don’t want to assume people know they’re welcome—we want to clearly say it: we want you to be involved.”
According to Trahern, some CMA Awards have been decided by fewer than 20 or 30 votes. “One vote can make history,” she says. “We want to remind every member: your vote counts.”
As the industry evolves, so does CMA’s approach to membership. Trahern notes that CMA’s internal teams and board-led committees are actively reviewing how to ensure current and future members—regardless of geography or job function—have a path to participation.
“It shouldn’t be the case that someone actively working in the industry doesn’t have a way to vote,” she says. “I’ve been really proud of the work the team has done over the past few years to broaden the tent.”
Kerns adds that CMA continues to engage new sectors and expand participation. “Yes, it’s on TV and matters to fans, but we want the industry to be proud of it and feel like they were part of honoring someone through this process.”
The 59th annual CMA Awards will take place Nov. 19 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and will air live on ABC at 7 p.m. CT.
