Country Music Association Awards

The Country Music Association Awards are annual honors recognizing achievement in country music, presented by the Country Music Association since 1967.

CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year: The Country Music Association Award honoring an artist for overall achievement and impact in country music. Its winners receive the ceremony’s highest-profile honor.
Country Music Association: A U.S. trade organization founded in 1958 to promote country music. The association administers the awards and defines their institutional scope.
Country Music Association founding: The establishment of the Country Music Association in 1958 by music-industry professionals in Nashville. The association’s creation preceded and enabled its annual awards.
Academy of Country Music Awards: Annual awards recognizing achievement in country music, presented by the Academy of Country Music. The awards share the field but belong to a separate organization and voting system.
CMA Award for Album of the Year: The Country Music Association Award recognizing an outstanding country music album. This category rewards a complete album rather than a single performance.
Country Music Association Awards voting: The multi-stage process through which eligible Country Music Association members select nominees and winners. Voting determines which artists and works appear on the final ballot.
1967 Country Music Association Awards: The first Country Music Association Awards ceremony, held in Nashville in 1967. This inaugural ceremony established the awards as an annual institution.
American Music Awards: An annual U.S. music awards ceremony whose winners are selected by public vote. Its fan-voting model differs from the CMA Awards’ membership-based selection.
CMA Award for Song of the Year: The Country Music Association Award honoring the songwriters of an outstanding country song. It recognizes composition, distinguishing it from awards centered on recording or performance.
Country Music Association Awards eligibility period: The annual dates within which music and professional activity can qualify for Country Music Association Awards consideration. The period sets which releases and achievements voters may assess.

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