Country music takeover of the UK and Ireland

Country music is taking over the U.K. and Ireland and the CMA is proudly participating in a diverse line-up of exciting country music events. These will range from songwriters’ showcases to industry panels, to star-packed stadium concerts across the Atlantic from March 14 to 17. Scheduled events for the weekend include: The second annual CMA International Marketing Summit An evening with the storytellers behind the hits with CMA Songwriters Series, which is making its third run in the region A special BBC songwriters show taping at the iconic BBC Radio Theatre; Two crowning C2C (Country To Country) concerts, two nights each, at The O2 in Dublin and London. “The fans in this market are very enthusiastic and supportive of Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Our artists are experiencing successful tours there and the business opportunities for the industry are obvious. Presenting the reach of the format, the calibre of our artistic community, and providing information about our consumer benefits everyone involved in Country Music.” CMA Songwriters Series The CMA Songwriters Series has been exposing fans to the artisans who, through their craft, pen hits that touch the lives of millions of music fans. Popular domestically for a decade (with more than 75 shows in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.), the CMA Songwriters Series makes its third trip to the U.K. in 2014. The two-hour show presents the songwriters and artists together on stage, taking turns telling the stories behind their hit songs and performing them acoustically as originally written. With entertaining anecdotes and powerful performances, fans have the opportunity to hear the stories, challenges, and processes involved with writing songs that have become huge hits. This year, the CMA Songwriters Series takes place on the evening before C2C, a huge two-day music festival at The O2 featuring an outstanding line up of stars. The CMA Songwriters Series kicks off the weekend’s events on Friday, March 14 at The O2’s IndigO2 in London. Hosted by award-winning songwriter Bob DiPiero, the intimate evening of songs and the stories behind them features Martina McBride, Brett James, and Striking Matches. “C2C is proud to present the CMA Songwriters Series in London this year. The Series provides music lovers with a unique opportunity to learn the backstory of how a song is written and brought to life,” said Milly Olykan, Senior Event Producer at The O2 and a member of the CMA Board of Directors. “Having Martina McBride appear at both the Songwriters Series and the following day perform at C2C will give UK fans a real appreciation of an artist’s relationship with a song from its origins through to performing it live to thousands.” C2C 2014 (Country to Country) Following the acclaimed success of Country to Country (C2C) 2013, an outstanding line up of music stars are again heading across the Atlantic for a huge two-day music festival extravaganza at The O2 London on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16. Also for the very first time C2C is going to Ireland on Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15 at The O2, Dublin. Headlining C2C 2014 will be Brad Paisley, six-time co-host of the CMA Awards and a 14-time CMA Awards winner; and Grammy-winning, 13-time CMA Awards nominee Zac Brown Band. C2C 2014 will also see the return of Country superstars Dixie Chicks, who will be performing in the U.K. for the first time in eight years. Rascal Flatts join the line-up as well as Dierks Bentley, Chris Young, and McBride (London show only). As part of the London C2C, CMA will partner with Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation to present a booth in the Town Square marketplace at The O2 each day (12:30-8:30 PM). The Town Square features retailers, merchandise, food vendors, and a stage with live music. British Music Experience at the O2 London On Saturday, March 15, CMA will present two exciting panel discussions at C2C featuring songwriters and music executives in the British Music Experience at The O2, London. Attendees will hear about what it takes to be a successful songwriter and panellists will explore the steps to hit-making. These panels are a must for any aspiring songwriter or artist and are free to the public but seating is limited. Panel topics, times, and access information will be announced soon via CMA, C2C, and The British Music Experience websites. The British Music Experience is Britain’s only interactive museum of popular music. Following its opening at The O2 in 2009 it has made its mark as the center for everyone who wants to celebrate the fantastic history of British popular music. It is a registered not-for-profit charity with the purpose of advancing the education and appreciation of the art, history, and science of music in Britain. Although the museum looks primarily at British Music they have always explored the influences of other genre’s and other countries. The current Taylor Swift exhibition and forthcoming events with the CMA allow the British Music Experience to explore Country Music’s relationship with British music. Second Annual CMA Marketing Summit/BBC/CMA Songwriters Series On Monday, March 17, CMA will be hosting its Second Annual CMA International Marketing Summit at the British Music Experience at The O2 in London. Last year saw the first international conference held in Paris. Attendees will be immersed in a full day of presentations and interactive panels at the CMA International Marketing Summit. Music industry experts from the U.S. and U.K. will discuss ways to capitalize on the worldwide power of Country Music followed by a reception at The Media Café in the BBC’s New Broadcasting House and performance of the CMA Songwriters Series. “CMA’s International Marketing Summit is an educational, networking event that allows members of the Country Music industry and other industries to interact, expand, and create new business opportunities,” said Trahern, “With informative and educational panels, and amazing keynotes, it is an event that we are very proud to bring to London for the first time.” CMA: Advancing Country Music Around the World Throughout the year, CMA honours individuals of the international community with awards including the International Country Broadcaster Award, International Artist Achievement Award, Global Country Music Artist Award, Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award, and the prestigious Jo Walker-Meador International Award, which is named for the original executive director of CMA. Through awards such as these and events like the International Marketing Summit and CMA Songwriters Series, CMA seeks to recognise and empower its international membership and Country Music fans globally.