Kix Brooks was named the first recipient of the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award. Pictured l-r: Jon Loba, Vice Chair of the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Brooks; Frank Bumstead, CMA President of the Board; and Joe Galante, Chairman of the CMA Foundation Board.
Photo Credit: CMA / Caitlin Harris
Acclaimed artist, radio personality, entrepreneur, and esteemed member of the CMA Board of Directors Kix Brooks was named the first recipient of the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award. The Award will be presented at an event in January, 2015.
“It’s embarrassing to be singled out in such a giving community,” said Brooks. “It’s easy to look around and be inspired by people who do more. I’ll keep trying – this is very special.”
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. Those recognized must be a Country Music professional who has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the Country Music community.
The Award can only be presented once a year. Candidates are submitted for consideration when a letter of recommendation by a CMA Board member is submitted to the CMA Foundation Board of Directors. The nominee’s name is then to be submitted and approved by the CMA Board of Directors.
“Kix is a true ambassador, champion, and humanitarian for CMA and this industry as a whole,” said Rob Beckham, chair of the Awards and Recognition Committee. “His philanthropic efforts continue to make the world a better place.”
Brooks has been an active member of the CMA Board of Directors since 1998, serving and chairing numerous committees as well as presiding as President of the Board in 2004 and Chairman in 2005. During this 16-year period, Brooks contributed to the unprecedented growth of the organization, but was instrumental in creating and developing several initiatives that have touched the lives of countless members of the music community.
In 2006, CMA established an Artist Relations Committee with Brooks as the inaugural Chairman. Brooks noticed that schools in the Metro Nashville Public Schools system were cutting funds in music education and felt that CMA could step in and help fill the void needed to supply instruments and music. 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 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 $10 million to this worthy cause.
Brooks was also an early proponent of developing affordable health insurance options for CMA members, which resulted in the creation of CMA Instrumental Health Care.
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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