The Country Music Association Awards (CMA’s) is a country music awards show and the longest running, annual music awards show program in television history with its origins starting back in 1968. Awards are determined and voted on by CMA members. They are selected into five nominees per category and then a winner is selected from each category. There are 12 categories in the CMA Awards, the most coveted being Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Other awards recognize up-and-coming new artists, duos, groups, and individual musicians. Still other categories award the best song, single, album, and music video. While mainly an awards show throughout the event the artists will perform songs giving the attendee a unique experience to see live music as well as award presentations.
Originally the awards show was held at the Grand Ole Opry however since 2006 the CMA’s have been held in Nashville, TN at the Bridgestone Arena.