THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION HOSTS INTIMATE DINNER CELEBRATING NOMINEES AHEAD OF “THE 57TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”
Darius Rucker Presents Mike Dungan with Irving Waugh Award of Excellence
The Country Music Association gathered CMA Awards nominees for a celebratory dinner at Saint Elle on Wednesday evening, just one week ahead of “The 57th Annual CMA Awards.”
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern welcomed attendees and invited Executive Producer Robert Deaton to lead a special toast for the group. To kick off the celebration, CMA Award-winning artist Darius Rucker surprised recently retired Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan with the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence. This award is given to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of demonstrated ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved Country Music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
“This is way beyond anything I could ever dream of,” said Dungan following a heartfelt speech from Rucker. “I’ve been getting a lot of expressions of love lately, but this is really something.”
The venue was elegantly decorated from top to bottom in moody-fall fashion with warm tones and touches of gold. Florals from Nashville-based FLWR Shop added a beautiful natural element to the tables and enhanced the perfectly blended modern and historic architecture of the venue. The menu was curated by renowned chef and James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Sean Brock (Audrey, Husk, The Continental, Joyland). With his mission to contribute to the local community, culture and cuisine in a lasting and impactful way, Brock was the perfect choice to honor this year’s outstanding nominees through an evening of exquisite food and celebration.
“It’s a really wonderful privilege to be in the same city as all of you and to be in the same room as all of you,” said Brock. “It’s very inspiring to the food community as well.”
“The 57th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 8/7c on ABC.
About the CMA Awards
The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA’s other two television properties, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.”
Darius Rucker presents Mike Dungan with the 2023 CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence at “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” Nominee Dinner on Wednesday, November 1 at Saint Elle in Nashville.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Chef Sean Brock speaks to guests at “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” Nominee Dinner on Wednesday, November 1 at Saint Elle in Nashville. Brock curated the evening’s dinner menu.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Sherri Huff, Dann Huff, Charles Kelley and Cassie Kelley attend “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” Nominee Dinner on Wednesday, November 1 at Saint Elle in Nashville.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Chip Matthews, Charlie Worsham and Derek Wells attend “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” Nominee Dinner on Wednesday, November 1 at Saint Elle in Nashville.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Jenee Fleenor attends “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” Nominee Dinner on Wednesday, November 1 at Saint Elle in Nashville.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
