“We Are Family”—Sony Music Nashville said goodbye to friend and EVP/GM Butch Waugh on his last week in the office. As an employee of 27 years, Waugh accumulated a series of “Butchisms,” or recognized catchphrases within the SMN family, some of which were printed on the T-shirts worn by the entire staff during his farewell toast (see above).

The County Music Association (CMA) Board of Directors announced today that Tammy Genovese has submitted her resignation as Chief Executive Officer effective Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Genovese, a 24-year veteran of CMA, has successfully overseen the organization’s continued phenomenal growth and financial stability even as music genres across the nation have experienced a slump.

“We are extremely grateful to Tammy for the commitment and talent she has brought to our organization through the years,” stated Randy Goodman, Chairman of the CMA Board and President of Lyric Street Records. “Tammy has made a positive impact in our industry and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors. We thank her for her many contributions to CMA.”

Goodman said Steve Moore, Chairman-elect of the CMA Board and Senior Vice President of AEG Live!, has agreed to serve as interim director of the CMA during the transition. The Board will engage a search firm to conduct a national search for a new executive director.

Under Genovese’s leadership, the 2009 CMA Music Festival hit an all-time high attendance record despite a downturn in the economy and a general decline in festival attendance across the nation. The Festival experienced a 7.2 percent increase over 2008 during the four-day event. The recent “43rd Annual CMA Awards,” which aired live on the ABC Television Network before a sold-out crowd at the Sommet Center in Downtown Nashville, was the most watched CMA Awards since 2005. ABC attracted the biggest Wednesday audience with non-sports programming in more than four years; and its highest Adults 18-49 rating in two years. The CMA Awards came in third for the week in the Adults 18-49 demo and fifth for the week in Total Viewers with 17.2 M.

“Jo Walker-Meador and Ed Benson taught me that success is built on hard work, passion and integrity. I am honored to have worked with these two amazing people and many other great music and business community leaders,” Genovese said. “I am happy to say I have successfully carried on Jo’s and Ed’s tradition, and I walk away after 24 years, both gratified and proud of my accomplishments. 2009’s success speaks for itself! I am forever grateful to the great staff and their hard work, loyalty, and dedication. My team has been the best and I know they will carry on CMA’s tradition of excellence and integrity.”

Benson, who served as CMA’s Chief Strategic Officer from January 2006 to August 2008, as its Executive Director for 14 years, and as its Associate Executive Director for more than 12 years, noted: “The fact that the CMA has experienced such substantial growth during a time when many companies are shrinking or closing their doors is a testament to Tammy’s tenacity and business savvy. Tammy and I worked closely together for over 20 years and I know she will be successful in whatever her next endeavor may be.”

“Tammy is a super charged dynamo and I’m eagerly looking forward to learning where phase two of her career takes her,” added Kitty Moon Emery, CEO of Kitty Moon Enterprises and CMA Board member. “I’m just hoping that whatever destination she chooses that she will stay headquartered in Nashville. It has been evident for quite some time that she genuinely understands and appreciates the entertainment/Music City brand. And we need Tammy in Nashville to help us continue to make Nashville one of the world’s top destinations!”

Genovese began her career at CMA in 1985 as Administrative Service Coordinator. She was promoted to Director of Administrative Services in 1990 and then Director of Operations in 1992. In 1999, she was promoted to Associate Executive Director. In 2006, she was named Chief Operating Officer and within a year was appointed CEO in 2007. In her role as CEO, Genovese directed her talents and energy on CMA’s mission and long-term strategic imperatives and external business relationships. Genovese holds a master’s degree in business administration, which she earned while advancing her career at CMA.

In June 2009, the Canadian Country Music Association presented Genovese with one of its most prestigious honors, the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award. Her additional recognitions and honors include Billboard’s Top Women in Music (2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009) and Nashville’s Forward 50 List (2007). She is an alumnus member of Leadership Nashville and Leadership Music. Genovese is a member of the Music Community CEO Group, Nashville’s Agenda, NARAS, Canadian Country Music Association, ACM, Society of Association Executives, and the Women’s Fund. She is also a board member of the Center for Nonprofit Management, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville Sports Council, and the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. Mayor Karl Dean recently appointed her to the newly created Music Business Advisory Council.

After today, Genovese can be reached at [email protected].

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Posted earlier today: Country Music Association CEO Tammy Genovese is leaving the organization where she has worked for 24 years. Steve Moore, Sr. VP of AEG Live, who recently moved into the CMA Board Chairman seat will fill in in the interim.

After a long career with the CMA, Genovese was promoted to its top position two years ago following the retirement of longtime head Ed Benson. Benson officially retired in August 2008 after 29 years with the important music trade association.

The CMA’s new Board year begins Jan. 1, 2010. Taking over as President of the Board is Steve Buchanan, President Grand Ole Opry Group. Buchanan, who is currently President-Elect, will be joined by Moore in CMA’s top two leadership positions. Officers for the 2010 term will be Chairman Moore; President Buchanan; President-Elect Gary Overton, Exec. VP/GM, EMI Music Publishing; and Secretary/Treasurer Erv Woolsey, The Erv Woolsey Company.