Luke Combs And Keith Urban Receive CMA International Artist Achievement Awards

CMA awarded Luke Combs and Keith Urban with CMA International Artist Achievement Awards backstage during “The 55th Annual CMA Awards.” Combs, the newly crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year, was surprised with his 2021 award on Tuesday, Nov. 9 by Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Previously announced via CMA socials, Urban was also surprised last week by Trahern at his rehearsal for his CMA Awards performance of “Wild Hearts” with the news of his 2020 honor. Watch performances by both Combs and Urban on “The 55th Annual CMA Awards” on any of the international broadcasts listed below.  

INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTS 

• Australia: Airing on Nine at 2:00pm AEDT, 4 December, 2021 
• UK: Airing on BBC 4 at 10:00pm GMT, 19 November 2021 
• Mexico: Airing on Multimedios at 4:00pm CST on 21 November, 2021 

• Latin America: Airing on DirecTV at 21:00 ARG on 17 December, 2021 
• Germany, Switzerland, Austria: COMING SOON 
• Norway: COMING SOON  
• Brazil: COMING SOON 

“Both Keith and Luke have been trailblazers for our genre, consistently growing and enhancing Country Music globally,” says Trahern. “They each place such a distinct priority on Country Music’s international fanbase and continue to further CMA’s mission to bring Country Music to audiences all over the world. We could not be prouder to present them both with this award.”  

“This award means a lot to me,” says Combs. “I am humbled to have so many supporters outside of my home country who love my music, and I am really looking forward to playing for them soon. Thank you to the CMA for honoring me with this award!” 

Following his acceptance, Urban posted on his social channels saying “CMA, thank you so much for this incredible honor, International Artist Achievement Award, thank you, thank you, thank you. This goes out to all the fans as well, thank you guys. Can’t wait to hit the road very soon.” 

The CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a United States-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the Country Music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period. 

Combs’ continues to make his mark internationally, with his What You See Is What You Get album debuting at No. 1 in the U.S. and Canada, as well as on the Country charts in the U.K. and Australia. With the release, Combs became the first male Country artist in history to have their first two albums certified Silver in the U.K. What You See Is What You Get has been in the Australian ARIA Top 50 Albums chart for 104 weeks while This One’s For You has been on the chart for 178 weeks. Additionally, Combs is the second highest streamed Country artist in the U.K. for 2021, only behind Dolly Parton. Combs is also set to headline the Country to Country (C2C) Festival in 2022.  

Urban has been a consistent pioneer for Country Music globally for over a decade. In 2019 he not only headlined the C2C Festival in the U.K. and Europe, but also embarked on his own shows throughout the year. He has performed on BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” as well as created an acclaimed BBC Radio 2 series proving his broadcast abilities, all while continuing to use his platform to uplift and champion up-and-coming Nashville artists.  

The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of Country Music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in six categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for Country Music in their local territories. 

CMA awarded U.K. concert promoter Chris York with the 2021 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award in September. Winners for the four remaining 2021 CMA International Awards categories will be presented with their awards in the coming months.