Two CMA International Awards recipients were recently presented their trophies in Nashville and London. The 2014 recipient of the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award, Ricky Ross, received his trophy today from CMA Board Chairman Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President John Esposito, CMA Board President-elect Sally Williams, Chairman of the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee Jon Loba, and Board member Brett James at CMA’s corporate office in Nashville. “I’ve been coming to Nashville over the last six to seven years and have been fortunate enough to walk away with several songs,†Ross said. “This time I’m fortunate enough to walk away with this award. It’s quite an honor. We love Country Music and think it’s important to celebrate all that it stands for.†“Supporting the international expansion of Country Music is important to the CMA Board and I was honored to present this trophy to one of our most ardent supporters,†said Bumstead. The CMA International Country Broadcaster Award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions for the development of Country Music in their country. Ross, a broadcaster, singer, and songwriter who has had cuts by James Blunt and Ronan Keating to name a few, regularly visits Nashville. He presents BBC Radio Scotland’s “Another Country,†a mix of classic Country and Americana and the show has won two Sony Radio Awards, the first in 2011 and the second the following year. When Hunter Hayes was in London last week for the first of a series of U.K. shows, he stopped by the BBC to present Bob Shennan, Controller Radio 2, 6 Music, Asian Network, and Director, BBC Music with the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award, which had been announced earlier in the year. “Bob is a tremendous ambassador for Country Music and the international growth of the format,†said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And as a CMA Board member, he is a trusted and valued resource as we continue to explore and develop new ways to expand the format abroad.†The Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media, which contribute to the development of Country Music outside the United States. Radio, TV, print journalists, authors, editors, television writers, producers, and PR companies who reside outside the U.S. are eligible to win this award. Since Shennan took over as Controller of BBC Radio 2 in 2009, he has driven exposure opportunities and was instrumental in bringing Country Music into the mainstream arena. In his capacity of CMA Board member, Shennan also chairs the newly formed CMA U.K. Task Force. Shennan said on being presented with the trophy, “It is a great privilege to serve on the Board of the CMA and this award is a wonderful honor. Country Music is enjoying a golden age in the U.K. The BBC is here to support great music, and I am proud to do my bit.”
