CMA International Awards 2025: Honoring the Global Ambassadors of Country Music
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The Country Music Association (CMA) has cast a spotlight on the exceptional individuals and organizations responsible for driving the worldwide phenomenon that is Country Music. In a testament to the genre’s enduring and expanding global influence, the CMA has announced the winners of the 2025 CMA International Awards, recognizing those whose outstanding contributions have successfully transcended borders and cultivated new audiences around the globe.
Honorees will be celebrated at a special reception on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in downtown Nashville, marking a key moment during the week of the 59th Annual CMA Awards. Their achievements will also be formally recognized during the pre-telecast ceremony that same evening.
A Commitment to Global Excellence
The International Awards are a crucial component of the CMA’s annual industry honors, reflecting the association’s deep-seated commitment to honoring excellence and fostering a strong, inclusive global community of Country Music professionals. These awards highlight the relentless efforts that continue to propel Country Music from its Nashville roots to an international stage.
“This year’s honorees embody the extraordinary ways Country Music continues to transcend borders,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Whether through radio, touring, media, or artist development, each has helped share the genre with audiences around the world. Their work not only broadens Country Music’s reach, it deepens its impact, reminding us that this community truly is global.”
The awards reflect the CMA’s mission, founded in 1958, to serve as an educational and professional resource while aggressively advancing the growth of Country Music worldwide, supported by task forces across Australasia, Canada, mainland Europe, The Nordics, and the U.K.
The 2025 International Award Recipients
The 2025 honorees represent a diverse group of industry leaders, from label executives and touring agents to media personalities and chart-topping artists, each playing a critical role in Country Music’s global narrative.
CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award
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Recipient: Lynette Garbonola, Vice President, International, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting Country Music’s marketing development outside the United States. Garbonola’s innovative leadership has been pivotal, particularly in strengthening Country Music’s international presence across Europe, Australia, and Asia. Her strategic efforts have ensured that BBR Music Group’s roster successfully connects with new, diverse audiences, playing a key role in the genre’s expanding international footprint.
Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award
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Recipient: Shannon Saunders, Agent, Head of Nashville International, WME
Saunders receives this award for her significant contributions to the live music industry by extending performance opportunities and building live audiences for Country Music outside the United States. She has been a genuine driving force behind the genre’s global expansion, transforming WME’s international touring operation and growing its reach exponentially. Her strategic leadership has facilitated record-breaking tours for artists like Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and Jordan Davis, redefining what is possible for Country artists on a global scale.
Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award
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Recipient: Justin Thomson, National Content Director, iHeartCountry Australia
Recognizing outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to Country Music outside of the United States, this award goes to Thomson, one of the genre’s most influential global ambassadors. With over two decades of experience, he produces extensive original programming and tirelessly travels to broadcast from major international events, including the CMA Fest, CCMA Awards, C2C, and CMC Rocks. His passion and deep connectivity to artists and audiences continue to amplify Country Music’s reach across continents and platforms.
International Country Broadcaster Award
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Recipient: Mattias Hansson, Radio Producer/Presenter at P4 Country, Sveriges Radio
This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a radio broadcaster outside the U.S. who has made important contributions for the development of Country Music in their country. Hansson has been instrumental in the genre’s growing popularity in Scandinavia. As host and producer of P4 Country on Sweden’s national radio station—the region’s largest weekly Country program—he has spent decades championing Nashville sounds, bringing the genre’s diversity and powerful storytelling to millions of listeners in the Nordics.
International Artist Achievement Award
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Recipient: Morgan Wallen
This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development, and promotion of the Country Music industry outside the United States. Morgan Wallen has propelled Country Music to unprecedented global heights. His fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, debuted at No. 1 across seven countries, reinforcing his position as one of the world’s most impactful artists, with sold-out international stadiums and record-breaking chart success.
Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award
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Recipient: Cameron Whitcomb
Taking home the award for outstanding achievements by a Country Music artist originally based internationally is Canadian-bred artist Cameron Whitcomb. Fresh off his CMA Fest debut and recent wins for CCMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Fans’ Choice Award, Whitcomb has captivated audiences worldwide through his Hundred Mile High Tour, spanning Canada, Australia, and Europe. His blend of honest songwriting and dynamic live performances positions him at the forefront of the next generation of global Country stars.
Country Music’s Biggest Night™ Goes Global
In a further demonstration of Country Music’s worldwide reach, “The 59th Annual CMA Awards” will broadcast internationally across six global territories, bringing the genre’s biggest night to millions of fans around the world.
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Canada: CTV2 will air the awards live at 8/7c (Nov. 19).
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Australia: STAN will stream the event live at 12 p.m. AEDT (Nov. 20), with a broadcast on NINE on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. AEDT.
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United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer offers a live stream at 2 a.m. GMT (Nov. 20), followed by a broadcast on BBC Four on Nov. 28 at 10:05 p.m. GMT.
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Sweden: SVT Play will stream the event on Nov. 29 at 2 a.m. CET, followed by a broadcast on SVT2 on Nov. 29 at 9:45 p.m. CET.
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Mexico: Canal 6 will broadcast the show on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. CST.
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Norway: NRK will air the awards on December 5 at 11:15 pm CET.
These broadcasts, alongside the CMA’s ongoing touring series like Introducing Nashville and CMA Songwriters Series, ensure that the heart and spirit of Country Music continues to resonate with fans in every corner of the globe, solidifying the honorees’ work as an essential force in the genre’s future.