The Country Music Association has announced nominees for the 2025 CMA Touring Awards presented by STRAUSS, which highlights vital behind-the-scenes members of the Country Music touring industry. Final Round voting for the 2025 CMA Touring Awards opens Monday, Dec. 1 and closes Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6pm CT. The 20th celebration of the CMA Touring Awards will be hosted by Country superstar Keith Urban, returning for the fourth year in a row, and will take place Tuesday, January 27 in Nashville.
Jim Halsey, veteran artist manager, will be honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given to an individual who has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of touring throughout the years. It honors an individual that has 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.
For more than 60 years, Jim Halsey has been a pioneering force in the music industry, guiding the careers of iconic artists such as Roy Clark, Reba McEntire, Merle Haggard, The Oak Ridge Boys, and many others. Known for expanding the international reach of Country Music, Halsey’s artists performed at legendary venues like Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Royal Albert Hall. His visionary efforts helped elevate Country Music to a global stage, shaping the future of the industry through groundbreaking live performances and strategic global tours.
“Recognizing the incredible work of our touring community is one of the highlights of our year,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Our road warriors are the heart and soul of our business, bringing their spirit to audiences everywhere with creativity and passion. The growth of Country Music would not be possible without the dedication of each of our nominees, and we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements in January.”
“I love touring, always have, always will,” says Urban. “And that only happens with so many people behind the scenes out there on the road making it happen every night. The CMA Touring Awards is where we turn the spotlight on our road families and celebrate the hard work they all do for all of us. It’s an honor to host, and I’m glad to be back.”
Workwear leader STRAUSS proudly joins the 2025 CMA Touring Awards as the presenting sponsor and Official Workwear Partner. With purpose-built gear that’s tuned to work, STRAUSS supports the skilled and tireless production crews behind the scenes of the biggest Country Music tours in the world. As a first-time partner, STRAUSS looks forward to celebrating the hard work of those who bring live music to stages across the globe.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the 20th anniversary of the CMA Touring Awards,” says Henning Strauss, CEO of STRAUSS. “The work ethic that drives the unsung heroes who build, lift, and tune the great shows Country Music is famous for is exactly what our workwear celebrates. We know that great gigs start with great work, and this work deserves to be recognized on centerstage.”
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 – CREW OF THE YEAR
“All-American Road Show Tour” Crew – Chris Stapleton
“Am I Okay? Tour” Crew – Megan Moroney
“Broken Branches Tour” Crew – Dierks Bentley
“I’m The Problem Tour” Crew – Morgan Wallen
“Jim Bob World Tour” Crew – HARDY
“Live On Tour” Crew – Kelsea Ballerini
“On The Road Tour” Crew – Tyler Childers
“Whirlwind World Tour” Crew – Lainey Wilson
CATEGORY 2 – BACKLINE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
Patrick Boyle – Tyler Childers
Dalton Ray Brown – Lainey Wilson
William Coats – Eric Church
Casey Ervin – Jelly Roll
Terry Fox – Kenny Chesney
Matt Kennedy – Morgan Wallen
Hunter Lamb – HARDY
Chris Miller – Keith Urban
CATEGORY 3 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Stephanie Alderman – Farris, Self & Moore, LLC
Renee Allen – Arnie Barn, Inc.
Legina Chaudoin – O’Neil Hagaman, LLC
Duane Clark – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Jen Conger – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Stephanie Mundy-Self – Farris, Self & Moore, LLC
Kris Wiatr – Wiatr & Associates, LLC
Dwight Wiles – Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
CATEGORY 4 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Chad Allison – HARDY
Tim Barrett – Kane Brown
Dustin Bringham – Parker McCollum
Steve Carmack – Megan Moroney
Greg Cook – Riley Green
Caleb Garrett – Luke Bryan
Jason Humphrey – Jason Aldean
Nick Wagner – Morgan Wallen
CATEGORY 5 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Ryan Dell – Lainey Wilson
Chris Diener – Kelsea Ballerini
David Loy – Kane Brown
James “Pugs” McDermott – Dierks Bentley
Jeff “Pig” Parsons – Blake Shelton
Robert Scovill – Kenny Chesney
Todd Wines – Miranda Lambert
Ian Zorbaugh – Old Dominion
CATEGORY 6 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Ben Bearden – Chris Stapleton
Nick Chang – Kelsea Ballerini
Zac Coren – Morgan Wallen
Justin Kitchenman – Luke Bryan
Andy Knighton – Rascal Flatts/Jason Aldean
Kevin Lichty – Old Dominion
Alex Sanchez – Parker McCollum
Alec Takahashi – Thomas Rhett
CATEGORY 7 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Narvel Blackstock – Starstruck Entertainment
Hayley Corbett – PunchBowl Entertainment
Enzo DeVincenzo – 377 Management
Kerri Edwards – KP Entertainment
Troy “Tracker” Johnson – TRACK Management
Chris Kappy – Make Wake Artists
Mandelyn Monchick – Red Light Management
Zach Sutton – Red Light Management
CATEGORY 8 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Beau Alexander – Morgan Wallen
Curt Armstead – Lainey Wilson
Brad Baisley – Blake Shelton
Cory Benson – Tyler Childers
Chris Daniels – Luke Bryan
Logan Hanna – Brothers Osborne
Chris Newsom – Kelsea Ballerini
Phil Wilkey – Keith Urban
CATEGORY 9 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Chris Alderman – Blake Shelton
John Garriott – Chris Stapleton
Jeff “Goofy” Greeninger – Jon Pardi
Adam Groeninger – Dierks Bentley
Chad Guy – Morgan Wallen
Brent Maxon – Parker McCollum
Earl Neal – Jason Aldean
Ed Wannebo – Kenny Chesney
CATEGORY 10 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Janet Buck – Essential Broadcast Media
Zach Farnum – 117 Entertainment Group
Asha Goodman – Sacks & Co.
Olivia Hanceri – OH Creative
Tyne Parrish – The GreenRoom
Jessie Schmidt – Schmidt Relations
Wes Vause – Press On Publicity
Jennifer Vessio – 1220 Entertainment Publicity
CATEGORY 11 – STAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Shaun Carswell – Dierks Bentley
Alex Church – Megan Moroney
Sam “Sambo” Coats – Eric Church
Todd Green – Chris Stapleton
Matt Hornbeck – Luke Combs
J osh “Dude” Marcus – Jason Aldean
Allison Noah – Carly Pearce / Lainey Wilson
Lonnie Taylor – Jon Pardi
CATEGORY 12 – SUPPORT SERVICES COMPANY OF THE YEAR
ASCOT Travel Services – Nashville, TN
Bandit Lites – Nashville, TN
Clair Global – Nashville, TN
Crom Tidwell Merchandising – Nashville, TN
Pioneer Coach – Nashville, TN
Pioneer Coach – Nashville, TN
Richards & Southern – Goodlettsville, TN
Sound Image – Nashville, TN
CATEGORY 13 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Becky Gardenhire – WME
Chad Kudelka – CAA
Keith Levy – Wasserman Music
Braeden Rountree – WME
Adi Sharma – The Neal Agency
Elisa Vazzana – UTA
Hunter Williams – CAA
Jay Williams – WME
CATEGORY 14 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Bridget Bauer – Messina Touring Group
Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
Patrick McDill – Live Nation Nashville
Brian O’Connell – Live Nation Nashville
Rich Schaefer – AEG Presents
Aaron Spalding – Live Nation Nashville
Stacy Vee – Goldenvoice
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar
CATEGORY 15 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Matt Anderson – Old Dominion
Kyle Crownover – Tyler Childers
Dustin DeRosier – Kelsea Ballerini / Little Big Town
