CMA Celebrates Country Music Month In October

CMA Celebrates Country Music Month In October

A Month So Big It Takes 45 Days!

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Country Music Association is celebrating Country Music Month with 45 days of promotions, events, and activities designed to drive awareness of the format leading up to the annual CMA Awards, "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)," on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean issued a proclamation from the city citing the important role and tangible impact of the Country Music industry on Nashville's economy and reputation as a center for entertainment business and global tourism.

"It is important to recognize and celebrate the numerous contributions that CMA, the Country Music industry and artists have made to our community and to the lives of millions of people around the world," Dean said in the Proclamation, which was presented at a reception Tuesday for the CMA Board of Directors at CMA.

First observed in October of 1964, Country Music Month was created by the Country Music Association to celebrate the format and bring additional awareness to landmark events and institutions in the history of Country Music, including the formation of CMA and the anniversary of the WSM Grand Ole Opry. What followed was a groundswell of support from dozens of states, which issued proclamations in support of the idea, and eventually the White House with several Presidential Proclamations beginning in 1970.

"With the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the CMA Awards, we felt it was an opportune time to bring back the tradition of Country Music Month as a platform for our many constituents to raise awareness and celebrate the strength, vitality and appeal of America's music," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

Events, promotions, and activities are planned for Monday, Sept. 26 through Wednesday, Nov. 9, when the campaign culminates with "The 45th Annual CMA Awards," which will be held at the Bridgestone Arena and broadcast live on the ABC Television Network. Planned grassroots promotional efforts include:

-- CMA Songwriter Series events in New York and Nashville
-- "Keep the Music Playing" event celebrating music education in public
schools
-- Launch of CountryMusicMonth.com with daily content updates
-- CMA Channel for Country Music Month on iHeartRadio
-- Radio and TV PSA campaign featuring education and entertaining Country
Music facts by artists and personalities of the format
-- CMA giveaways and partner sweepstakes, and more!

The Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating its 86th birthday in the month of October with special shows and events. For more details, go to opry.com. CMA is making Web tools available for partners including logos, graphics, banners, video and audio files, and more. For information visit CountryMusicMonth.com/webtools.

Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music's highest honor. More than 6,400 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization's objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA's core initiatives - the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry and air Nov. 9 on the ABC Television Network; the CMA Music Festival, which benefits music education and is also taped for a three-hour special on ABC-TV; and CMA's latest ABC-TV property, "CMA Country Christmas," which is taped the day after the CMA Awards and features Country artists performing original music and Christmas classics for broadcast during the holiday season.

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards. Chevrolet(TM) is a Proud Partner of the CMA Awards and Official Ride of Country Music. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the 2011 CMA Awards. CMA is a Proud Supporter of DRIVE4COPD.

For Information, visit www.CMApress.com for CMA Awards history, photos, press releases, and logos.

Online media credentialing for the CMA Awards is also available on the site, which is for media only with restrictions on use.

SOURCE Country Music Association

Country Music Association

CONTACT: Wendy Pearl, +1-615-244-2840, or Scott Stem, +1-615-244-2840, both of CMA

Web Site: http://www.cmaworld.com

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