First-time CMA Awards nominee Kelsea Ballerini made surprise calls to radio stations and personalities across the U.S. today to share the news of their 2015 CMA Broadcast Awards achievements.
“I absolutely love visiting with my radio friends while I’m touring,” said Ballerini, who is in the running for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year. “Today was so fun calling to surprise them with the news of their win!”
“Part of our mission as a trade organization is to recognize excellence in this genre,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Country radio has significant impact on this format and I would like to thank these winners for their many contributions to our industry and congratulate them on an outstanding year.”
The winners of the 2015 CMA Broadcast Awards are:
2015 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners
National – “The Big D and Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins, Sean Powell, and Patrick Thomas) – Compass Media Networks
Major Market – “Ben and Matt in the Morning” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
Large Market – “Karen, Scott & Radar” (Karen Dalessandro, Scott Dolphin, and Tony “Radar” Hess) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
Medium Market – “Andy & Alison and The Morning Crew” (Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer, and Jimmy Holt) – WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
Small Market – “The Dex & Mo Show” (Bill “Dex” Poindexter and Melissa “Mo” Turner) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
2015 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners
Major Market – WPOC – Baltimore, Md.
Large Market – WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
Medium Market – WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
Small Market – KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Arbitron. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and biographical information. Candidates for Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings history, community involvement, and format leadership.
To be eligible, National Broadcast Personality of the Year candidates must be syndicated, short-form, hub voice-tracking, and satellite personalities heard in at least three markets with a minimum of 40 shows per year.
CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities and CMA member radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions.
CMA Broadcast Award winners are not eligible to enter in consecutive years; therefore, those who received trophies in 2014 were not eligible in 2015. Deloitte & Touche LLP tabulates scoring by the judges.
Winners will be recognized at “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” to be held Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live on the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host Country Music’s Biggest Night™.