December 14, 2022 – Nashville, TN) One of Country music’s most iconic performers, Martina McBride, will be wrapping her 12^th Annual “The Joy of Christmas Tour” this weekend in Fayetteville, AR on December 18^th. Continuing with a favored tradition of fans and of Martina herself, the tour has brought the enchantment and warmth of the holiday season to fans with performances of all-time favorite classic tunes.  

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Country Music Hall of Fame’s exhibit, Martina McBride: The Power of Her Voice, has been extended to be on display until July 2023. The collection, which was unveiled in the summer of 2021, explores the music and legacy of the influential vocalist, tracing her journey from performing in her family’s band as a child to becoming a chart-topping, award-winning, perspective-shifting Country music artist.

Tickets to see Martina McBride: The Power of Her Voiceare available here. 

For additional information on Martina McBride, including upcoming tour dates, please visit http://www.martinamcbride.com/

AboutMartinaMcBride:

Martina McBride is a multiple GRAMMY-nominated country singer, whose vocals have kept her at the top of the charts garnering six No. 1 hits and 20 Top 10 singles. Selling more than 18 million albums to date, she has earned 14 Gold, 9 Platinum, 3 Double Platinum and 2 Triple Platinum certifications. She has been honored with more than 15 major music awards, including four wins from the Country Music Association and three Academy of Country Music Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. 

In addition to her iconic music career, Martina continues building her lifestyle brand having released two cookbooks, “Martina’s Kitchen Mix: My Recipe Playlist for Real Life” (2018) and “Around the Table: Recipes and Inspiration for Gatherings Throughout the Year” (2014).  She recently wrapped the first season of “Vocal Point with Martina McBride”, her weekly podcast that featured Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Blake Shelton and many more.  Earlier this year she announced her “Livin’ Life Up Tour” with support from up-and-coming female artists Hannah Ellis, Hailey Whitters, Kalie Shorr and Sarah Allison Turner, and is planning her 10th annual “The Joy of Christmas Tour”.  Through her Team Music Is Love initiative, Martina has launched a series of fundraising and volunteer projects to support hunger relief, cancer research, domestic violence and helping women, children and families in need. 

NASHVILLE — The Country Music Association has announced the nominees for the 2022 CMA Touring Awards, which highlight vital behind-the-scenes members of the Country touring industry. Final voting for the 2022 CMA Touring Awards opens Wednesday, Dec. 14 and closes Wednesday, Dec. 28. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this year’s Touring Awards will take place Monday, Jan. 30 at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.  

“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!”

CMA members in the following membership groups are eligible to vote on the 15 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.   

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte & Touche LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see http://www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of Deloitte’s legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. 

CATEGORY 1 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
• Renee Allen – Arnie Barn, Inc.
• David Boyer – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
• Jamie Cheek – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
• Duane Clark – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
• Stephanie Mundy-Self – Farris, Self & Moore, LLC

CATEGORY 2 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
• Ronnie Brown – Zac Brown Band
• Rhett Evans – Thomas Rhett
• Caleb Garrett – Luke Bryan
• Jon Long – Dierks Bentley
• John Stalder – Kenny Chesney

CATEGORY 3 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
• Aaron Lain – Morgan Wallen
• Todd Lewis – Luke Combs
• Robert Scovill – Kenny Chesney
• Frank Sgambellone – Luke Bryan
• Trey Smith – Thomas Rhett

CATEGORY 4 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
• Zac Coren – Morgan Wallen
• Philip Ealy – Kenny Chesney
• Kevin Northrup – Luke Combs
• Chris Reade – Dierks Bentley
• Alec Takahashi – Thomas Rhett

CATEGORY 5 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
• Clint Higham – Morris Higham Management
• Mary Hilliard Harrington – Red Light Management
• Chris Kappy – Make Wake Artists
• Marion Kraft – ShopKeeper Management
• John Peets – Q Prime South

CATEGORY 6 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
• David Farmer – Kenny Chesney
• Luke Holton – Brothers Osborne
• Curt Jenkins – Miranda Lambert
• Ethan Strunk – Luke Combs
• Jon Townley – Thomas Rhett

CATEGORY 7 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
• Jimmy Nicholson – Thomas Rhett
• Phillip Robinson – Kenny Chesney
• Scott Tatter – Dierks Bentley
• Phil Wilkey – Keith Urban
• Michael Zuehsow – Luke Combs

CATEGORY 8 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
• Chris Alderman – Blake Shelton
• Erik Leighty – Miranda Lambert
• Jerry Slone – Luke Combs
• Kevin Twist – Thomas Rhett
• Ed Wannebo – Kenny Chesney

CATEGORY 9 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
• Janet Buck – Essential Broadcast Media
• Ebie McFarland – Essential Broadcast Media
• Tyne Parrish – The GreenRoom
• Jensen Sussman – Sweet Talk Publicity
• Jennifer Vessio – 1220 Entertainment Publicity

CATEGORY 10 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
• Mike Betterton – Wasserman Music
• Joey Lee – WME
• Austin Neal – The Neal Agency
• Nate Towne – WME
• Jay Williams – WME

CATEGORY 11 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
• Jered Johnson – Pepper Entertainment
• Louis Messina – Messina Touring Group
• Brian O’Connell – Live Nation Nashville
• Aaron Spalding – Live Nation Nashville
• Adam Weiser – AEG Presents

CATEGORY 12 – TOUR VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
*Due to a tie in this category, there are six nominees.
• Zach Belcher – Dierks Bentley
• David Bergman – Luke Combs
• Tanner Gallagher – HARDY
• Grayson Gregory – Thomas Rhett
• Jeff Johnson – Carrie Underwood
• Jill Trunnell – Kenny Chesney

CATEGORY 13 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
• John Breslin – Garth Brooks
• Jay Cooper – Kenny Chesney
• Ron Etters – Chris Stapleton
• Tyler Hutcheson – Luke Combs
• Phil Nudelman – Keith Urban

CATEGORY 14 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
• Jimmie Deeghan – Kane Brown
• Dan Hochhalter – Dierks Bentley
• Harmoni Kelley – Kenny Chesney
• Jimmy Mattingly – Garth Brooks
• Josh Reedy – Thomas Rhett

CATEGORY 15 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
• Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
• Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
• Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

About the CMA Touring Awards
The CMA Touring Awards, originally called the SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards, were created by the CMA Board of Directors in 1990 to honor outstanding professional achievement within the touring industry. The first awards were presented at a black-tie gala hosted by K.T. Oslin and Roger Miller during CMA’s Entertainment Expo, also known as the Talent Buyers Entertainment Marketplace. Ten awards were presented at the first gala and the number swelled to 19 over the years before settling at the current 15. The SRO Awards were renamed the CMA Touring Awards in 2016.

About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is 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 7,700 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; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on the ABC Television Network.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – 90s hit-making country group Ricochet will return to the world-famous Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday, October 12, marking their first performance on the iconic stage in 22 years! With hits including “Daddy’s Money,” “What Do I Know,” and “He Left A Lot To Be Desired,” the appearance will be one that should not be missed! This year also marks the 25th anniversary of their hit single, “He Left a Lot to Be Desired,” with new tour dates being added regularly.

“After a 22-year absence, we are so honored to be invited back to perform on the Grand Ole Opry,” shares Heath Wright. “It will feel so good to step onto the sacred circle of that hallowed stage. To do so with a few of my original bandmates will make it that much sweeter. I’ve never been more proud to be a part of country music!”

In 1996 the members of country group Ricochet watched their debut single, “What Do I Know”, rise to the Top 5 earning the band the honor of the highest-charting debut single of the year. The follow-up single release, “Daddy’s Money”, became an immediate across-the-board hit, rising to #1 on the Radio & Records Country Singles Chart, the Gavin Country Singles Chart, and the Billboard Country Singles Chart (where it stayed #1 for two consecutive weeks).

The band’s distinctive musical style and intricate harmonies earned them recognition as one of the most popular vocal groups in country music and ultimately the Academy of Country Music honor for “Best New Vocal Group” in 1996!

Ricochet was spotlighted on SiriusXM in September with a one-hour performance special airing on SiriusXM Prime Country channel 58 hosted by Storme Warren.

“We have so many exciting things happening right now,” Wright continued. “From SiriusXM’s Prime Country special to getting back on the road and touring. It is awesome to see this resurgence of 90s country and we are working on a new album project that will be out soon.”

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
10/22/22 – Prairie Knights Casino & Resort / Fort Yates, N.D.
10/28/22 – Potosi Live / Abilene, Texas
12/28/22 – Private Event / Wickenburg, Ariz.
01/28/23 – The Warrior on the River / Tallahassee, Fla.
01/31/23 – Key Western Festival / Key West, Fla.
03/25/23 – Flickinger Center for Performing Arts / Alamogordo, N.M.