Honoring Country Radio with the CMA Broadcast Awards
By Mark Crawford
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Country Music wouldn't be what it is today without the support of Country radio.
"Country radio has contributed so much to the development of our industry and the careers of so many artists," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "Recognizing the top broadcasters in the business is our way of showing them how much we appreciate the work they do on behalf of Country Music."
Since 1973, CMA has honored Country radio with the annual CMA Broadcast Awards, which recognize a National Broadcast Personality and the top Country radio stations and on-air personalities in Major, Large, Medium and Small markets. The winners are presented with an actual CMA Award during pre-broadcast ceremonies and are recognized during the live CMA Awards broadcast. Plus, all CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year winners receive complimentary CMA lifetime memberships.
In 2005, Lee Ann Womack notified the winners by calling them on their studio hotlines.
"I'm always excited to be part of something big with radio," Womack said. "Radio has been instrumental throughout my career, and I was glad to share this good news with some of the best folks working in Country radio today."
Andy Richie, Alison West and Jimmy Holt of "Andy & Alison and the Morning Crew" of WIVK/Knoxville win the 2005 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Award for Medium Market. Photo: John Russell / CMA
Small Market radio station WUSY/Chattanooga on-air personalities Kim Carson of Dex & Kim, Benjamin Martin and Kenneth Hicks accept CMA Awards for the 2005 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year and Radio Station of the Year.
Photo: John Russell / CMA
Winning a CMA Broadcast Award adds an element of prestige to a radio station. Because it also reflects a high level of community commitment, a CMA Broadcast Award also shows the value a radio station has to its community.
"I think the Award validates a listener's belief that the station is doing good things, that they can depend on us to be there," Hammond said.
A CMA Broadcast Award also increases a station's recognition within the Country Music industry. "It's really exciting to win the Award and it gives our show great credibility," Ritchie said.
Country artists on tour are also more inclined to drop by CMA Award-winning stations for interviews or live studio performances - an extra benefit for the station's listeners. "Or if they're driving by they'll call in on the request line to chat for a few minutes," said Kris Van Dyke, WUSY Program Director.
Ultimately winning a CMA Broadcast Award is the result of an incredible team effort.
"I've been in radio for 36 years and have never seen a radio station bond together like family like we do here," Van Dyke commented.
Which is why Carson's first Award is in the display case in the lobby of WUSY, with all the other awards the station has won through the years.
"Winning the CMA Award made me even more dedicated to producing good radio," Carson said. "Not only did it boost my confidence, but it made me want to get even better. I have to keep on winning our listeners' respect every day."
Every year since 2000, a CMA Awards nominated artist has graciously delivered the good news to CMA Broadcast Awards winners including Dierks Bentley in 2004; Terri Clark in 2003; Kenny Chesney in 2002; Brooks & Dunn in 2001; and Brad Paisley in 2000. In early October 2006, an artist will notify this year's CMA Broadcast Awards winners.
Last year's winners for CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year included the team of Bill Poindexter and Kim Carson (Dex and Kim) from WUSY/ Chattanooga and Andy Ritchie, Alison West and Jimmy Holt (Andy & Alison and the Morning Crew) from WIVK/Knoxville. WUSY also won CMA Small Market Radio Station of the Year (its ninth win in the last 11 years).
"Country Music has always been special to me and Country Music fans," Ritchie said. "It's great that the CMA honors the people who make it happen in radio - it's a very special night for everyone in the industry."
"Winning a CMA Award is like winning an Academy Award or an Oscar," added Mike Hammond, WIVK Program Director. "Just being in the Top 5 is a huge honor, win or lose."
Carson's CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Award was her first (her partner Poindexter also won in 1999). "It's been the best moment in my career," Carson said. "I owe a lot to Dex - he's such a funny guy and has taught me so much about radio. Our staff is incredibly dedicated, and we have the best listeners in the world."
Entries for CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on airchecks, ratings, community involvement and biographical information. Radio stations are judged on airchecks, ratings history, community involvement and leadership. The winners are selected after two rounds of judging by a panel of more than 40 broadcast professionals representing all market sizes and regions. The accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP tabulates the scoring by the judges.
"Filling out a CMA entry is always a good way to find out how well you're doing," Hammond noted.
"The entry is very important," Ritchie agreed. "We spend a lot of time 'crystallizing' our show into a 10-minute segment. We need to give the judges a year in 10 minutes and a few pictures - no question that's a challenge."