The Country Music Association presented industry honors at the 2018 CMA Touring Awards last night at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, recognizing Country Music's top touring professionals. Hosted by Jerrod Niemann, the event celebrated 16 industry professionals, including Louis Messina, CEO of Messina Touring Group, who was honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award.
John Peets, founder of Q Prime South, presented Messina with the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor given to an individual who has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of touring throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on Country Music fans and the industry alike, and whose presence will have a long-term positive impact on Country Music and CMA for generations to come.
After winning the Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year Award, Brian O'Connell, Live Nation Nashville, gave a moving speech thanking everyone who accepted him to Nashville when he was starting out, especially the other nominees in this category that all contribute to the success of the touring industry. He concluded by bringing nominees Ali Harnell, AEG Presents, and Patrick McDill, Live Nation Nashville, plus Mike Dugan, Messina Touring Group, and David Kells, Bridgestone Arena, on stage to recognize each one individually for their accomplishments and passion for the industry.
Artists including Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Little Big Town, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban recorded personal video messages that played throughout the evening to congratulate winners. Prior to the nominees in each category being announced, comical videos were played, with voiceover by Niemann and Joe Denim, highlighting the "Real Crews of Genius" being honored at the 2018 CMA Touring Awards.
Winners in 15 categories were determined by CMA members in the following categories: Advertising/Public Relations/Media; Affiliated; Artist; Entertainment Services; Marketing/Digital; Musician; Personal Manager; Record Label; Talent Agent; Talent Buyer/Promoter; Touring; and Venue. Ballots were tabulated by the professional services firm Deloitte.