About
The CMA Touring Awards, previously known as the SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards, were originally created by the CMA Board of Directors in 1990 to honor the concert industry’s top professionals, venues, and companies for the year.
The CMA Touring Awards honor excellence in Country Music touring, recognizing behind-the-scenes professionals across 20 categories for their significant contributions to the industry.
How to Nominate / Voting Process
- Nomination Ballot: A Nomination Ballot will be sent to current CMA Professional voting members in the following member categories: Affiliated, Artist, Composer, Entertainment Services, Musician, Personal Manager, Record Company, Talent Agent, Advertising/Marketing/Communications, Venue, Talent Buyer/Promoter and Touring Personnel. Each member is eligible to submit one nomination for each award category.
- Second Ballot: Any candidate that meets the eligibility criteria and receives a minimum of three (3) nominations will be placed on the Second Ballot. Eligible CMA members may vote for up to five (5) candidates in each category for which they choose to vote.
- Selection of Final Nominees: The Top 20 vote recipients from the Second Ballot will be presented to a CMA Touring Awards Task Force to develop a slate of at least five (5) but no more than eight (8) potential nominees for each of the CMA Touring Awards categories.
- Final Ballot: The Final Ballot consisting of the approved nominees are sent to eligible CMA members for voting. Each member may vote for one (1) nominee in each category they choose to vote.
All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization, Deloitte.
Awards Criteria
The CMA Touring Awards honor the concert industry’s top professionals, venues, and companies for the year, based on shows originating during the eligibility period. The awards honor those individuals, venues, and companies who have demonstrated excellence through their professional role and have elevated the overall concert experience with their work for the fans, their colleagues, and the entire touring community. The 2025 CMA Touring Awards categories include:
- Crew of the Year
- Backline Technician of the Year
- Business Manager of the Year
- Coach/Truck Driver of the Year
- FOH (Front of House) Engineer of the Year
- Lighting Director of the Year
- Manager of the Year
- Monitor Engineer of the Year
- Production Manager of the Year
- Publicist of the Year
- Stage Manager of the Year
- Support Services Company of the Year
- Talent Agent of the Year
- Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year
- Tour Manager of the Year
- Touring Musician of the Year
- Tour Photographer/Videographer of the Year
- Tour Video Director of the Year
- Venue of the Year
- Unsung Hero of the Year
A CMA Touring Award winner cannot be nominated and win the same category in two consecutive years, and it is not required that any nominee for any CMA Touring Award be a member of CMA.
Timeline
The 2025 CMA Touring Awards Balloting Voting Schedule will be as follows:
- Nomination Ballot: July 21 - August 1 (6:00 PM/CT)
- Second Ballot: August 26 – September 10 (5:00 PM/CT)
- Final Ballot: December 1 – December 16 (5:00 PM/CT)
Eligibility Period
Oct. 1, 2024 - Sept. 30, 2025