Filmore Joins The CMA Foundation’s Artist Ambassador Program, Expanding Its Equitable Music Education Initiatives

Filmore to Take Over CMA Instagram Today 

The CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, welcomes Curb Records recording artist Filmore as the non-profit’s newest Artist Ambassador, further expanding its support and advocation for equitable music education opportunities across the U.S. Filmore will take over CMA’s Instagram today, Wednesday, Dec. 15 to discuss becoming a CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador, his personal connection to music education, and what he has coming up in 2022. 

As a CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador, Filmore will participate in various events and initiatives that enhance the CMA Foundation’s mission of ensuring this generation’s access to equitable music education opportunities. Filmore will also lead a focus group with Nashville-based Music Teacher of Excellence recipients to discuss the program, their experiences attending “The 55th Annual CMA Awards” and being recognized on live television during the broadcast. 

“We are excited to have Filmore join the CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador collective,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “As someone who participated in choir as a kid and went to college for vocal performance, we couldn’t think of a better artist to shine a light on the importance of music in a student’s education. We cannot thank him enough for joining us to help enhance our mission of ensuring all students across the U.S. have access to participate in quality music programs.”   

“I’m so ready to be a part of such an amazing mission and organization,” says Filmore. “As an artist, writer, and music graduate, I will help share my experiences with students and hopefully inspire them to continue chasing the amazing journey that is music!”

Filmore joins the CMA Foundation’s Artist Ambassador group alongside Lauren Alaina, Jimmie Allen, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Caitlyn Smith, Tenille Townes and Charlie Worsham who have all supported music education initiatives in ways that are unique and personal to them.    

• Alaina sat down with ABC’s “On the Red Carpet” ahead of “The 55th Annual CMA Awards” to discuss her ambassadorship, her passion for music education and the importance behind ensuring this generation’s access to equitable music education opportunities. She also hosted a live virtual “Fansgiving,” benefitting the CMA Foundation, in celebration of her new book, Getting Good at Being You, where she encouraged fans to share their funniest Thanksgiving stories before the event. She picked her three favorite stories and invited those fans to join her live on-screen during the event. 
• Allen took part in a virtual meeting with a third-grade music class at Snowden Elementary in Memphis, TN to share his story and discuss music and songwriting with the students. He also participated in the CMA Foundation’s Teaching Artist Webinar Series to discuss culturally relevant teaching, music discovery and parenting in a pandemic.    
• Dickerson visited with band students at his former high school in May and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry during Teacher Appreciation Week.    

• Ell shared the healing power of music with Nashville’s Mt. View Elementary students during a virtual songwriting session in March and taught student guitarists how to restring and tune a guitar.  
• In April, Maddie & Tae met virtually with high school choir students and then sat down for a panel discussion with female band directors.    
• McBryde served as the inaugural Artist Ambassador, meeting virtually with music teachers last year to discuss the obstacles faced while teaching amid the pandemic and sharing how music education led to her career in Country Music. She created a music lesson on building the major scale for teachers and students to use in both their in-person and virtual classrooms.    
• Smith created a Songwriting 101 video turtorial to give viewers an inside look at her songwriting process and performed as headliner during “Tuesday Night Music Club” at Basement East in July with merch sales benefitting the CMA Foundation.   
• Townes visited Stewarts Creek Middle School in Smyrna, TN and Isaiah T. Creswell Middle Magnet School of the Visual and Performing Arts in Nashville, as well as two additional elementary schools in nearby Coffee County to engage, equip and empower both students and educators through the healing power of music.   

• In August, Worsham joined a Tennessee Music Education Association (TNMEA) virtual panel alongside his mother, Sherry Worsham, and TNMEA Advocacy/Government Relations Chair, Christopher K. Dye, to discuss the life-changing impact of music on young people, specifically in rural communities.   

Since its inception in 2011, the CMA Foundation has been committed to improving and sustaining music programs throughout the U.S. so all students have equitable opportunities to participate in a high-quality music education. The non-profit, which is in the midst of celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, believes music and the arts are part of a well-rounded education. During this time, the CMA Foundation has observed why music programs are not thriving, seeing first-hand the challenges educators are facing and, most importantly, the systemic issues that must be addressed in order for every child to have access to music. Committed to its vision, the CMA Foundation is working directly with school districts to identify needs, understand their challenges, build community support and develop local and national resources from partners as part of the non-profit’s systems change model.   

The CMA Foundation will continue to provide unique opportunities and support for music teachers and students as more Artist Ambassadors are announced next year.  
  

About the CMA Foundation   

Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining high-quality music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), invests various resources across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations.    

About Filmore:  

“Groundbreaking” is just one word that can begin to describe Curb Records recording artist Filmore, a Wildwood, Missouri native, who now calls Nashville home. With over 193 million on-demand streams, appearances on NBC’s “TODAY” and The Bobby Bones Show, the singer/songwriter has honed his electric and engaging live show by opening for artists such as Sam Hunt, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Lauren Alaina, Brett Young, Chase Rice, Walker Hayes, and Pitbull; and has rocked performances at Stagecoach, Watershed, CMA Fest and Country Thunder. Song releases like “Slower,” “Love That About You,” and “Other Girl” are resonating with fans thanks to unprecedented streaming boosts, as prior to being signed, Filmore was the first independent artist to be featured on Spotify’s Hot Country cover. Filmore’s current radio single, “Who Cares,” is from his album, State I’m In. For more information, visit filmoremusic.com or follow online @filmoremusic.