The CMA Touring Awards, an annual celebration of the country music industry's road warriors, took place on June 2, 2026, at Nashville's The Pinnacle. The event, hosted by Keith Urban for the fourth consecutive year, showcased the dedication and talent of the touring professionals who keep country music alive and thriving. This year's ceremony, presented by Strauss, recognized 20 categories of country music touring professionals, with a special focus on the crew behind the scenes.
One of the standout moments of the night was the recognition of Lainey Wilson and her Whirlwind World Tour crew, which included 35 women. Wilson's crew took home the top prize, Crew of the Year, and several other awards, including Backline Technician, Stage Manager, Front of House Engineer, Tour Video Director, Monitor Engineer, and Tour Manager. Wilson's heartfelt speech emphasized the importance of her crew, describing them as her family and highlighting their dedication to treating everyone with respect, regardless of their role.
The ceremony also honored the industry's unsung heroes, such as Jim Halsey, who received the CMA Lifetime Touring Achievement Award for his six decades of work as an agent and manager, working with legendary artists like Hank Thompson, George Jones, and Reba McEntire. Halsey's contributions to elevating country music to a global stage, including performances at iconic venues like Radio City Music Hall and the first country music tour in the Soviet Union, were celebrated.
In addition to the awards, the ceremony featured memorable moments from past ceremonies and highlighted the importance of mental health, with William Dyer, manager for Wyatt Flores, addressing the issue. Charlie Worsham, a former CMA Touring Musician of the Year, performed Todd Snider's 'Age Like Wine' to honor those who have passed away in the industry.
The evening concluded with a surprise for Urban, who was awarded the CMA Founding President's Award, established in 1963 and named after CMA founding president Connie B. Gay. Urban's generosity and commitment to country music, including his support for music education initiatives and hosting the CMA Touring Awards, were praised.
The full list of 2026 CMA Touring Awards winners included notable names in the industry, such as Jen Conger (Business Manager of the Year), Olivia Hanceri (Publicist of the Year), and Clair Global (Support Services Company of the Year). The ceremony celebrated the hard work and dedication of the entire country music touring community, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
