Dateline: July 17, 2000

Note.. I have decided to make this week's column an informational type of thing on The Country Music Association (The CMA) and The Academy Of Country Music (ACM) Awards.

The CMA is dedicated to bringing the poetry and emotion of country music to the world. The purpose of the CMA organization is to supervise and improve the development of country music throughout the world.

The Country Music Association (CMA) was first organized in 1958. It was the first organization to promote a type of music. The CMA originally made up of 233 members has swelled at last count to more then 6000 members in over 40 countries. The overseas offices in connection with the Nashville operation track radio airplay, artist tours, and manage an extensive communications network through label relations, advisory groups, conferences, research projects, data bases and publications. There are over 20 types of membership available to those (from industry professional, to behind the scenes studio engineers, to artists) working in the country music industry.

One of the world's most popular music TV specials is The Annual CMA Awards. The CMA is also very well know for the tens of thousands of fans they entertain every year at the country music "Fan Fair"

People who wanted to share the music they loved with others founded the Academy Of Country Music (ACM) in 1964. Its original name was the Country And Western Music Academy. As the organization grew it's name changed. In 1968 the famous hat shaped trophies were first made and given out. And In 1972 the awards show was first broadcast.

The ACM has always been involved in charities and other good causes. Such as the Shriners Children's Hospitals and The T.J Martell foundation. In 1983 the now famous charity celebrity golf tournaments were started. Today the Academy tries to educate people about country music and the business opportunities involved with it with seminars such as " What's This Country All About"

Academy members realize that well informed people are vital to country music growth and are kept informed of legislation that could affect them and are also made aware of opportunities for country music in radio, television, movies and touring.