Page 16 - 2017 Official CMA Program

WELCOME
┴ Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO
14 THE 51st ANNUAL CMA AWARDS
It is my honor to welcome you to “The 51st Annual CMA Awards!” You are in for a night
of surprises and thrills, as we celebrate the best of the best in the Country Music genre.
We are honored to have the dynamic duo of Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood back
as hosts for the 10th year. Each year, they set the bar high and, no doubt, we are in for a
special night with them at the helm again. Their hard work and dedication, as well as the
artful leadership of our Executive Producer Robert Deaton, elevates this show to another
level. The work all of them put into this program, to entertain fans around the world, is
unmatched by any other awards show.
This year, our hearts are a little heavier as we lost many greats in our community
including Country Music Hall of Fame Members Don Williams, Glen Campbell and Jo
Walker Meador. Jo served as the Executive Director of CMA from 1962-1991 and worked
with early Board visionaries to help create this very Awards show back in 1967 and to
get the program televised in 1968. She rarely, if ever, missed a CMA Awards evening
and thought she is no longer with us, we know that she will still be cheering on the next
generation of artists. Our staff, Board and industry are better for her stewardship.
We would be remiss to not acknowledge the lives that were lost, or forever changed
by the tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas just last month. Although we were and still
are shaken and disturbed, we are resilient as a community. We have seen this Country
Music community comfort each other in tough times, and we will do that again tonight
and in the months and years ahead. We salute the heroes and first responders in Vegas
and those who have banded together to continue to help rebuild our cities and towns
devastated by recent hurricanes and wildfires.
The American Spirit is strong and our music is the great connector. We are reminded
tonight why we tune in to Country radio during our morning commutes, why we stream
music with our families at backyard cookouts and tailgate parties, why we share favorite
song lyrics with friends, and why we can’t wait for the next big show. Country Music has
always told the true stories of everyday struggles, but with an underlying theme that is
always there – perseverance.
Tonight we celebrate the best of the best--the songwriters, artists, musicians, producers,
broadcasters, video directors and mix engineers that help this industry remain a growing,
worldwide phenomenon.
Congratulations to all of tonight’s deserving nominees and a special thank you to Carrie,
Brad and Robert for your passion in leading us into the next 50 years of CMA Awards.
Best,
Sarah Photo credit: Donn Jones/CMA