CMA Reveals 2026 CMA International Award Honorees

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Dayna Bourgoin, Alex Hannaby and Bob Harris. (L-R, bottom row): Rachel Lloyd, James Johnston, Lainey Wilson

The Country Music Association has unveiled the winners of the 2026 CMA International Awards, recognizing individuals who have helped bring country music to audiences around the world. The honorees will be celebrated at a reception in downtown Nashville on Nov. 17 and recognized during the pre-telecast ceremony for The 60th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 18.

This year’s honorees received the news through a series of surprises. On Sept. 23, Darius Rucker surprised four recipients on a Zoom call: Dayna Bourgoin, National Music Director & Industry Relations at iHeartRadio Canada/Pure Country Radio, Alex Hannaby, SVP of International Marketing and Operations at HYBE Global Label Services, BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Bob Harris, and AEG Presents U.K. promoter Rachel Lloyd.

The following day, Ashley McBryde surprised Australian Country artist James Johnston with the news at the Grand Ole Opry. On Sept. 28, CMA Incoming CEO Brittany Schaffer surprised Lainey Wilson during a Zoom call.

“Some of my favorite moments in this job have been standing in a crowd overseas and experiencing how deeply fans connect with Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “That kind of connection doesn’t happen without people who believe in this music and put in the work to share it. The Country Music community is global, and we are proud to celebrate them.”

Bourgoin will receive the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award, honoring her contributions to country music media outside the U.S.

A 27-year veteran of the music and broadcasting industry, Bourgoin leads music programming and national content development for Pure Country Radio. She has supported Canadian country music throughout her career, helping develop artists including Dean Brody, High Valley and The Road Hammers during her time at CMT Canada. She also helped launch Dallas Smith’s country career at 604 Records and was part of the team that rebranded 16 Canadian stations as Pure Country, the country’s first national country radio brand. Bourgoin also serves as Vice Chair of the CMA Canadian Task Force.

Hannaby will receive the CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award, recognizing her work supporting and expanding country music in markets outside the U.S.

She has spent more than a decade working in international music marketing, with experience at Universal Music, Big Machine and now HYBE Global Label Services. As SVP of International Marketing and Operations, she works with the Blue Highway Records roster, including Thomas Rhett, Midland and Jackson Dean, while also supporting international campaigns for Riley Green and Dolly Parton. She serves as Vice Chair of the CMA U.K. Task Force, sits on the BPI Council and helped launch the U.K.’s first official country music radio chart.

Harris will receive the International Country Broadcaster Award for his contributions to the growth of country music outside the U.S.

He has spent more than five decades in broadcasting and joined the BBC in 1970. He became widely known as the host of The Old Grey Whistle Test and later launched the BBC Radio 2 Country Show, helping connect U.K. audiences with Nashville and country music. A four-time CMA International Broadcaster of the Year, Harris also received the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award in 2012. He was named an OBE in 2011 for his contributions to British music and culture.

Johnston will receive the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award, honoring an internationally based country artist for outstanding global achievements.

The Australian artist has expanded his reach with sold-out shows across the U.K. and a growing audience in North America and Europe. A three-time Golden Guitar Award winner and ARIA Award nominee, Johnston has earned more than 165 million global streams. His debut album, RAISED LIKE THAT, spent 35 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart.

Lloyd will receive the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award for her work expanding country music’s live audience and performance opportunities outside the U.S.

She has helped grow country music’s presence in the U.K. throughout her career. She has been a promoter with AEG Presents U.K. since 2021, where she works on C2C Festival and oversees a touring roster that includes club, academy, theater and arena shows. Before joining AEG, she worked in WME’s London music department and at Warner Records.

Wilson will receive the International Artist Achievement Award, recognizing a U.S.-based artist for her creative growth and support of country music internationally.

She has taken her music around the world with her sold-out “Whirlwind World Tour” across Europe and North America. The 12-time CMA Award winner and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year will host The 60th Annual CMA Awards for the third consecutive year. She was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2024. Her latest album, Whirlwind, received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and No. 13 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart.

Madison Hahnen
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