The Critic’s Crown: Chris Willman Honored with 2025 CMA Media Achievement Award
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
In a move that celebrates four decades of dedicated, impactful music journalism, the Country Music Association (CMA) has named Chris Willman, Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic at Variety, as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 CMA Media Achievement Award.
The honor was delivered in a moment of genuine surprise on Tuesday, November 18th, when CMA Awards nominees and performers Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. interrupted the proceedings at Variety’s CMA Awards Interview Lounge, presented by Duke Cannon at Anzie Blue, to present Willman with the award.
A Defining Voice for the Genre
The CMA Media Achievement Award is designed to recognize the outstanding contributions of print, online, and broadcast media professionals whose work significantly relates to and promotes Country Music. Voted upon by publicist members of the CMA, the award highlights journalists, authors, editors, producers, and reporters who shape the national conversation around the genre.
Willman’s selection is a tribute to his enduring influence. Having recently marked over 40 years as Los Angeles’ longest-standing, continually working full-time music journalist, his career has spanned seismic shifts in the music industry, yet his passion for Country Music has remained a powerful constant.
His commitment to the genre is not just historical; it is fiercely contemporary. Most recently, Willman was instrumental in spearheading Variety’s inaugural Power of Women Nashville live event and special issue. His bylines graced the magazine’s covers, featuring insightful stories on icons like Sheryl Crow and groundbreaking artists such as Mickey Guyton.
Furthermore, his 2024–25 reporting has provided essential reading for Country Music fans and industry insiders alike, including in-depth, candid Q&As with some of the genre’s biggest stars, including Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, and Parker McCollum. Willman doesn’t just review the music; he explores the artists’ narratives, their politics, and their impact, giving readers a deeper understanding of the art form.
A Legacy of Literary and Journalistic Excellence
Willman’s career bibliography extends far beyond Variety. His influential roles have included significant stints at esteemed publications such as Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, and the Los Angeles Times.
Perhaps his most recognized contribution to music literature is his book, “Rednecks & Bluenecks: The Politics of Country Music,” a work of nonfiction that dissects the often-complex intersection of Country Music, culture, and American politics. The book’s intellectual rigor and cultural significance earned it high praise, including a notable citation by literary master Stephen King as one of the best music books of all time.
His peers have consistently recognized his talent, awarding him two titles as Entertainment Journalist of the Year at the SoCal Journalism Awards (in 2020 and 2025) and naming him Print Journalist of the Year at the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards in 2024.
Chris Willman is one of two individuals selected for the 2025 CMA Media Achievement Award, with the second distinguished recipient slated to be announced in the coming weeks. His award is a well-deserved recognition of a journalistic career that has consistently provided depth, passion, and unparalleled insight into the heart of Country Music.
Photo Credit: Michael Buckner