CMA Presents Several Industry Honors

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Pictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO), Tony Conway and Jennie Smythe (CMA Board Chairman). Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

The Country Music Association presented a few special honors last week during its Board of Directors meeting and during a special moment of remembrance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Dr. Chayim Newman. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

At the CMA Board dinner on Thursday, Dec. 4, Tony Conway, President, Conway Entertainment Group, Ontourage Management, received the 2025 J. William Denny Award, presented by CMA Board Chairman Jennie Smythe, Founder and CEO, Girlilla Marketing. The award is presented in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedication, distinguished service, and meritorious contributions to the CMA Board of Directors. Conway served on the CMA Board from 1984-2021, including as Chairman in 1996. He has received the CMA’s President’s Award and the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Chayim Newman, Co-Founder, Amber Health, was presented with the CMA Chairman’s Award by Smythe. Awarded only at the discretion of the sitting Chairman, this recognition is reserved for individuals whose exceptional service to CMA merits recognition. Dr. Newman is a clinical psychologist who co-founded Amber Health and the Tour Health Research Initiative (THRIV). Beyond his clinical work, he actively mentors and advocates for the well-being of music professionals, showing up in meaningful ways across the country music community.

Pictured (L-R): Charlie Chase, Lorianne Crook and Sarah Trahern. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

The following evening, Dec. 5, at the Grand Ole Opry, Jim Owens was honored posthumously with the Joe Talbot Award. Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer presented the award to his widow, Lorianne Crook, during the Opry celebration. This award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of country music’s values and tradition. The award may be presented to a person in recognition of an initiative or long-term contribution deemed by the CMA Board of Directors to qualify for this award. Known as “Gentleman Jim,” he built a historic library of thousands of hours of programs and photographs that continues to preserve, showcase and connect generations of country music artists and fans worldwide. His work has supported countless artists, songwriters, and production teams while contributing to major productions, museums, and documentaries that celebrate the genre’s legacy.

“This past week, we celebrated individuals whose leadership and dedication have shaped the heart of Country Music,” says Trahern. “Tony, Chayim, and Jim have each preserved our legacy, supported countless artists, and inspired future generations in ways that will continue to echo for years to come. Honoring their contributions is not only a recognition of their work, but a celebration of the spirit that continues to drive our genre forward.”

Lauryn Sink
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