Scott Borchetta Receives 2025 CMA Irving Waugh Award Of Excellence

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Riley Green, Big Machine Label Group Founder, Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta and CMA CEO Sarah Trahern after surprising Borchetta with the 2025 CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence on the red carpet of The 59th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Big Machine Label Group Founder, Chairman, and CEO Scott Borchetta was honored with the 2025 CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence ahead of the CMA Awards earlier this week.

The Irving Waugh Award of Excellence is presented to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of 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. Borchetta was surprised with the award on the red carpet by three-time 2025 CMA Award winner and Big Machine Label Group artist Riley Green. Borchetta is a 2025 CMA Awards nominee in the Musical Event of the Year category for his production work on Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do,” which features Ella Langley.

“Scott has played a pivotal role in shaping country music’s modern era,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “I’ve watched him navigate this industry with remarkable clarity and conviction—championing emerging talent, supporting legacy artists and investing in ideas that move our genre forward. His influence stretches across decades, and honoring him with the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence feels both meaningful and well-deserved.”

“I truly did not see this coming,” says Borchetta. “A sincere thank you to our extraordinary CEO, Sarah Trahern, and all on the CMA Board for this incredible recognition. Irving Waugh was a true visionary who did so much for country music and its culture, and I’m humbled to stand on his shoulders alongside so many who continue to shape and inspire the world of country music.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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