CMA Touring Awards: Lainey Wilson’s The Whirlwind World Tour Crew Takes Top Honors
Categoria: Musica
The 20th annual CMA Touring Awards were held at The Pinnacle on June 2.
Por Billboard | 03/06/2026
“It takes a village to make things happen out on the road,” two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner Keith Urban told the audience that gathered at Nashville venue The Pinnacle during the annual CMA Touring Awards Tuesday (June 2), as Urban served as the host of the event for the fourth consecutive year. The sentiment was something that the attendees know all too well, as the ceremony feted the top touring professionals in country music who keep artists on the road and playing for their beloved fans. The 2026 ceremony, presented by Strauss, served to recognize and honor country music touring professionals across 20 categories. Lainey Wilson and her Whirlwind World Tour crew, which includes 35 women, took home the top prize of crew of the year. “Congratulations to everybody tonight. I am so proud of my people,” Wilson said. “Y’all are my family. I feel like everywhere we go, they leave a good impression. They treat the janitor just like they treat the CEO and that means a whole lot to me. And thank y’all so much for all the sacrifices y’all made, all the time to run this circus, to pick it up and move it to the next town. I love y’all and congratulations.” Many members of Wilson’s crew also offered words of thanks, while Wilson’s manager, Mandelyn Monchick, said, “I will reinforce have an incredible crew. They work as a team like nobody I have ever seen.” Members of Wilson’s touring crew took home the lion’s share of this year’s awards, picking up wins in categories including backline technician, stage manager, front of house engineer, tour video director, monitor engineer of the year and tour manager of the year. The ceremony is typically held earlier in the year, but was rescheduled for June after ice storms hit Nashville in January. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern introduced the evening, saying, “We are so thrilled to celebrate you, our touring community, and the people who make country music come alive night after night. It may be a few months later than we originally planned … but as everyone in this room knows more than anyone, sometimes you have to pivot and you make it work. … The one thing that’s never changed is the spirit of the people who make it happen. At CMA, our mission has always been centered around you. We exist to support music industry professionals and strengthen the community that you bring life to every single day.” Former CMA executive director Ed Benson took the stage to share some of his memories of the early days of the CMA Touring Awards (formerly known as the SRO Awards). Throughout the evening, memories and moments from past awards ceremonies were highlighted. To further celebrate the 20th ceremony, former CMA Touring Awards hosts Kristian Bush, Kix Brooks and Jon Pardi took to the stage to present winners in several categories. William Dyer, manager for Wyatt Flores, spoke of the importance of mental health. Later in the evening, former CMA Touring mus