2026 CMA Touring Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Country Music Touring
The annual CMA Touring Awards celebrated the top touring professionals in country music at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Lainey Wilson and her Whirlwind World Tour crew won the crew of the year award. The crew members were praised for their teamwork and dedication to their work on the road. The ceremony recognized professionals across 20 categories, with Wilson's crew winning in multiple categories.
The event, presented by Strauss, was rescheduled to June due to ice storms in Nashville earlier in the year. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern highlighted the importance of the touring community and the people who bring country music to life every night. Former CMA executive director Ed Benson shared memories of past awards ceremonies, and former hosts presented winners in various categories.
The evening also included a tribute to mental health awareness and a performance honoring industry members who passed away. Jim Halsey received the CMA Lifetime Touring Achievement Award for his six-decade career working with country music artists. The Oak Ridge Boys' Duane Allen and William Lee Golden paid tribute to Halsey, who accepted the award via video.
As the event concluded, Keith Urban was surprised with the CMA founding president's award for his contributions to the CMA and country music. Urban expressed gratitude for the recognition and praised the road crews for their sacrifices and dedication to their work. The ceremony honored winners in categories such as crew of the year, business manager of the year, and venue of the year.
Overall, the 2026 CMA Touring Awards celebrated the hard work and dedication of touring professionals in the country music industry. The event recognized individuals and teams who play a crucial role in bringing live music experiences to fans around the world. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions to the touring community.