After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Country Music Association’s CMA Touring Awards took place Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. We at PLSN congratulate all of the winners of this year’s CMA Touring Awards. Previously known as the SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards, the CMA Touring Awards were originally created by the CMA Board of Directors in 1990 to honor outstanding professional achievement within the touring industry. The SRO Awards were renamed the CMA Touring Awards in 2016.
“I am thrilled that we will be returning this year to host the CMA Touring Awards after a two-year hiatus,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The touring industry was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, and I have been amazed at the continued resilience and dedication from this community as they rebuild. These behind-the-scenes heroes are the ones that keep the music playing, so to be able to honor and celebrate them again is especially exciting. We can’t wait for January 30!”
Additionally, during the ceremony, Keith Urban took time to honor his longtime Production Manager, Randy “Baja” Fletcher, who passed away while on the road in 2021. Natalie Fletcher, daughter of Randy Fletcher, took the stage during the program to talk about her father’s legacy as well as her own experience on the road with Urban this past year. Echoing an underlying theme from all the Touring Award recipients was Fletcher’s immense gratitude to be back on the road again and for each part of the “road family” that work tirelessly to make life on the road run smoothly.
CMA members in the following membership groups are eligible to vote on the 15 awards categories up for awards: Advertising/Public Relations/Media, Affiliated, Artist, Entertainment Services, Marketing/Digital, Musician, Personal Manager, Record Label, Talent Agent, Talent Buyer/Promoter, Touring, and Venue.
All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP. The eligibility period is from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year.
2022 CMA Touring Awards Winners
- Tour Manager of The Year: David Farmer – Kenny Chesney
- Production Manager of The Year: Jerry Slone – Luke Combs
- Lighting Director of The Year: Chris Reade – Dierks Bentley
- Tour Videographer/Photographer of The Year: Jill Trunnell – Kenny Chesney
- Tour Video Director of The Year: Tyler Hutcheson – Luke Combs
- Front Of House Engineer of The Year: Robert Scovill – Kenny Chesney
- Monitor Engineer of The Year: Michael Zuehsow – Luke Combs
- Manager of The Year: Chris Kappy – Make Wake Artists
- Coach/Truck Driver of The Year: John Stalder – Kenny Chesney
- Business Manager of The Year: Stephanie Mundy-Self – Farris, Self & Moore, LLC
- Publicist of The Year: Ebie McFarland – Essential Broadcast Media
- Talent Agent of The Year: Austin Neal – The Neal Agency
- Talent Buyer/Promoter of The Year: Brian O’Connell – Live Nation Nashville
- Touring Musician of The Year: Dan Hochhalter – Dierks Bentley
- Venue of The Year: Ryman Auditorium – Nashville
- CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award: John Huie
