Revered Country Music Hall of Fame member Reba presented the first CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award to acclaimed artist, radio personality, entrepreneur, and esteemed member of the CMA Board of Directors Kix Brooks at a prestigious evening in his honor Monday at City Winery in Nashville.
“Can you imagine what it feels like to be me tonight?” Brooks asked the crowd as he accepted the Award. “But ultimately it’s not about me; it’s about every person in this room who is putting their heart into something meaningful and something significant in their community.”
On hand to honor Brooks was fellow CMA Board member and artist Chris Young, as well as representatives from the numerous charitable partners Brooks has worked with over the years including the CMA Foundation, Louisiana Tech, Monroe Harding Children’s Home, Operation Finally Home, the USO, and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
“Thanks to his contributions in the creation of the CMA Foundation and in the birth of CMA Instrumental Healthcare, as well as to the efforts he has volunteered to the other great causes represented here tonight, Kix’s philanthropic endeavors will be as highly regarded as his many musical contributions,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “CMA is honored to be able to present our first ever CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award to Kix Brooks.”
The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award was developed by the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee and approved by the CMA Foundation. The Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism, and advocacy.
Brooks has been an active member of the CMA Board of Directors since 1998. During this 17-year period, Brooks contributed to the unprecedented growth of the organization and was instrumental in creating and developing several initiatives that have touched the lives of countless members of the music community including the CMA Songwriters Series, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the creation of an affordable medical insurance program for CMA members known as CMA Instrumental Healthcare.
It was his leadership and vision that created CMA’s “Keep the Music Playing” program, which was the forerunner of the CMA Foundation. The program receives funding through CMA Music Festival with half of the net proceeds from the event given as grants to support music education programs across the country on behalf of the artists who perform for free. To date, the CMA Foundation has donated more than $11 million to this worthy cause.
In addition to being a true humanitarian for CMA, Brooks also serves on the Board of the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Monroe Harding Children’s Home, Tennessee Tourism Board, Nashville Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, Blue Ribbon Committee, Operation Finally Home, and Veterans Matter.
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 7,400 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; CMA Music Festival, which benefits music education and is taped for a three-hour TV special; and “CMA Country Christmas,” featuring Country artists performing original music and Christmas classics. All of CMA’s television properties will air on the ABC Television network through 2021. For more information, visit CMAworld.com.
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