THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES THE ROAD CREWS POWERING COUNTRY MUSIC DURING 20TH TOURING AWARDS PRESENTED BY STRAUSS AND HOSTED BY KEITH URBAN
CMA Touring Awards Honor Jim Halsey with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award and Surprise Keith Urban with CMA Founding President’s Award
On Tuesday night, the Country Music Association held the 20th CMA Touring Awards Presented by STRAUSS, at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Keith Urban returned as host for the fourth consecutive year, joined by Country stars and past hosts of the CMA Touring Awards, Kristian Bush, Kix Brooks, and Jon Pardi. The evening celebrated the industry’s top touring professionals, the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring Country Music to life out on the road, many of whom were already in Nashville for CMA Fest week.
As CMA’s largest membership sector, touring has been the backbone of Country Music since its earliest days, reflecting the genre’s deep-rooted connection to the road. That history was woven throughout the 20th anniversary celebration, honoring generations of road professionals, past and present, who have carried Country Music forward. With Kelsea Ballerini, Parker McCollum, Randy Travis and Lainey Wilson in attendance to celebrate their own touring members being honored, the evening spotlighted the passion, skill, and commitment of the touring teams whose work brings every show to life.
Wilson’s Whirlwind World Tour Crew claimed the night’s highest honor, Crew of the Year. Entering its third year, the award continues to spotlight an exceptional road team whose excellence raises the bar across every facet of touring—from technical skill and teamwork to innovation, hospitality, and a people-first approach both on and off the stage.
While the evening featured a series of memorable honors celebrating the individuals who help drive Country Music forward, among the highlights was the presentation of the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary artist manager Jim Halsey, recognizing his extraordinary and enduring impact on the touring industry.
Throughout his career, Halsey and his team have guided and managed some of the genre’s most influential artists, connecting their music with fans around the world. His roster has included trailblazers such as Reba McEntire, Roy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings, and many others, and his work has helped promote the careers of 29 Country Music Hall of Fame members and 10 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members.
The CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual whose career reflects the highest level of historical impact on Country Music and the broader music industry, and whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Halsey’s influence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to artists and live music exemplify the spirit of this honor, underscoring his lasting contributions to Country Music and the touring community.
The night also delivered a surprise moment, as Urban was presented with CMA’s Founding President’s Award (In Honor of Connie B. Gay). Established in 1963 as the first honor created by the CMA Board of Directors, the award, named for legendary founder and first CMA President Connie B. Gay, has been given to icons such as Tex Ritter, Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, and Charlie Daniels. The honor recognizes individuals outside the CMA Board who have made an extraordinary impact on the organization. A passionate supporter of the CMA Foundation, Urban has played a hands-on role in advancing music education, serving as the first national ambassador for the CMA Foundation. His commitment also extends to the stage, where he has become a familiar presence at CMA events, including hosting the CMA Touring Awards year over year.
The night capped off a celebration filled with appreciation and admiration for the people who power the touring industry and continue to shape the future of Country Music.
Now in its third year, the CMA Touring Mentorship Program is already underway, connecting early-career touring professionals with experienced leaders across the industry, while giving seasoned professionals the opportunity to invest in the next generation. The program includes seven specialty tracks: Tour Management, Band Leader/Musician, Production Management, FOH Engineering, Monitor Engineering, Lighting Direction/Design and an introductory Touring 101 track. To stay in the loop on all things CMA Touring Mentorship Program, visit cmamember.com/touring-mentorship.
Winners in 20 CMA Touring Awards categories were determined by current professional voting members of CMA in the Affiliated, Artist, Composer, Entertainment Services, Musician, Personal Manager, Record Company, Talent Agent, Advertising/Marketing/Communications, Venue, Talent Buyer/Promoter and Touring Personnel categories of membership. Nominees were based on shows originating between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization, Deloitte.
The 2025 CMA Touring Awards winners are as follows:
CATEGORY 1 – CREW OF THE YEAR
Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind World Tour” Crew
CATEGORY 2 – BACKLINE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
Dalton Ray Brown – Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 3 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Jen Conger– Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy
CATEGORY 4 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Caleb Garrett – Luke Bryan
CATEGORY 5 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Ryan Dell – Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 6 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Zac Coren – Morgan Wallen
CATEGORY 7 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Kerri Edwards – KP Entertainment
CATEGORY 8 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Curt Armstead – Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 9 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Chad Guy – Morgan Wallen
CATEGORY 10 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Olivia Hanceri – OH Creative
CATEGORY 11 – STAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Allison Noah – Carly Pearce/Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 12 – SUPPORT SERVICES COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Clair Global – Nashville, TN
CATEGORY 13 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Becky Gardenhire – WME
CATEGORY 14 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar
CATEGORY 15 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Meg Miller – Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 16 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Kurt Ozan – Luke Combs
CATEGORY 17 – TOUR VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Catherine Powell – Kelsea Ballerini
CATEGORY 18 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Dave Bergfeld – Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 19 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
The Pinnacle – Nashville, TN
CATEGORY 20 – UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR
Diana “Lemonade” McBride – Grand Ole Opry
About the CMA Touring Awards
The CMA Touring Awards, originally called the SRO Awards, were created by the CMA Board of Directors in 1990 to honor outstanding professional achievement within the touring industry. The first Awards were presented at a black-tie gala hosted by K.T. Oslin and Roger Miller during CMA’s Entertainment Expo, also known as the Talent Buyers Entertainment Marketplace. Ten awards were presented at the first gala, and the number has grown over the years now settling at the current 20. The SRO Awards were renamed the CMA Touring Awards in 2016.
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies across the U.S. and around the globe are members of CMA. The organization serves as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advances the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC.
About STRAUSS
Engelbert Strauss, or simply STRAUSS, is a global leader in workwear design and manufacturing. Founded in 1948, the family-owned company is overseen by brothers Henning and Steffen Strauss, the third generation of the Strauss family. Its iconic ostrich logo reflects the family’s name and roots—Strauss means ostrich in German. The ostrich is trusted by tradespeople, builders, farmers, and DIYers across the globe for its pioneering style of technical, multi-pocket workwear that melds performance and function with comfort and design. Now firmly established in the U.S., STRAUSS ships nationwide, operates a flagship store in Venice, California, maintains a strong presence at trade shows across the country, and is setting up a new headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. For more, visit STRAUSS.com
Winners of the 20th CMA Touring Awards were honored during an industry celebration at The Pinnacle in Nashville on Tuesday, June 2. (L-R) Tiffany Kerns (CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy), Curt Armstead, Catherine Powell, Ryan Dell, Meg Miller, Allison Noah, Diana “Lemonade” McBride, Talayeh Nasirzadeh, Zac Coren, Kerri Edwards, Javier Alcaraz, Mike DuCharme, Trent Allison, Dan Wessell, Adreinne Ervin, Caleb Garrett, Jen Conger, Olivia Hanceri, Jim Halsey’s daughter Chrissy Rumford, Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO), Jim Halsey’s granddaughter Lilly Rumford. Not pictured: Dalton Ray Brown, Becky Gardenhire, Ed Warm, Kurt Ozan, Dave Bergfeld, Clair Global.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
For more information about CMA Touring Awards, visit CMAworld.com/cma-touring-awards.
