In March, the UK-CMA marked a significant milestone - its first full year of operations. To celebrate, we hosted an online Information Evening, bringing together members and non members to review our first year and, more importantly, to look ahead at our plans for the future.
From the outset, our mission has been clear: to promote country music in the UK, develop the quality of the music produced here, and to unite the scene. Here is a breakdown of what was discussed during our annual review and what the next 12 months look like for our community.
A Strong Foundation: Membership and Finance
The association’s growth has exceeded expectations, with over 200 members now part of the UK-CMA family. Morag Finch, Director of Finance and Operations, provided a transparent financial update, confirming that the organisation is both solvent and debt-free.
While we’ve faced some technical hurdles with the email renewal process, the board is working hard to streamline communications. The focus for year two remains on providing tangible value for your membership fee through education, networking, and industry resources.
Innovative Tools: Technology and the Member Site
Geoff Meads, Director of Technology, demonstrated the bespoke technology strategy that powers the UK-CMA. Every decision made, from the artist and industry professional zones to our comprehensive venues database, is built on solid technical foundations, with a view to long-term sustainability and ease of use for all users.
What’s New:
- Members Areas: for both artist members and industry professionals
- Venues Database: A vital resource for artists planning tours across the UK
- Festival Library: A list of current festivals and associated information
The Future:
- New Members Area: Specifically for fan members
- Interactive Mapping: Following a suggestion from the chat, we are looking into adding Google Maps links to the venue database to assist with tour routing
The UK-CMA Academy: Education at the Core
Hannah Roper, Director of Education, highlighted a packed year for the Academy. With six networking events, six information evenings, multiple webinars and two in-person songwriting workshops already under our belt, the momentum is only growing.
Coming soon to the Academy:
- International Market Webinars: Exploring opportunities in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with Samantha Pickard
- Songwriting masterclass with Shelly Fairchild: Experience hands-on songwriting skills development at an in-person masterclass
- Preparing for a Photoshoot: How to plan and prepare for a photoshoot, with Michelle Fredericks
- Volunteer Sub-Team: We are looking for members to help create educational content and host future sessions
Outreach: Taking UK Country Further
UK-CMA Chair John Finch shared some staggering statistics: UK country music is now reaching 25 million monthly Spotify streams. To support this growth, the UK-CMA has been present at six major UK festivals this year, 54 UK artist gigs and building vital connections with promoters and agents.
Our international outreach is also expanding. We are currently building networks in the USA, Canada and Australia to establish exchange programmes and international showcases for our members.
Why We Aren't Hosting Awards (Yet)
A common question in the chat was whether the UK-CMA would launch an awards ceremony. Geoff and the board addressed this directly: whilst we have the expertise to manage awards, they are not a current priority.
The board’s focus remains on education, outreach, and resource-building. We believe our finite resources are better spent creating assets like our venue database, webinars and songwriting workshops than on a trophy ceremony, especially when other organisations already serve that space.
Hear from Our Members
The energy in the chat was incredibly positive. We have had members highlight the value of the association's transparency and community focus:
"Hearing from the board tonight provided valuable insight into how our musical infrastructure is being controlled and affected by external factors. Understanding that we are part of a greater ecosystem is so important." — Artist Member
"For the cost of membership, you would never normally get access to this level of industry knowledge. The UK-CMA truly cares about growing its members' knowledge and offering genuine support." — Industry Pro Member
"An informative and productive evening. I’ve left with plenty of thinking points and a real connection to a wider country community!" — Fan Member
The Roadmap: What’s Next?
We aren't slowing down as we enter year two. Here are a few dates and initiatives to put in your diary:
- Shelly Fairchild Songwriting Workshop: Join us in York on 8th August for an intimate session with Nashville hitmaker Shelly Fairchild. (Tickets: £40 for members / £60 for non-members)
- WhatsApp Communities: We are exploring the launch of regional and professional WhatsApp groups to help members connect more easily
- Song Road-Testing: A new programme for artists to get feedback on upcoming releases from a fan perspective
- The AGM: Look out for details regarding our first Annual General Meeting and board elections
As John summarised at the end of the evening: "Collaboration is the key to growing this organisation." Thank you to everyone who has been part of our first 365 days. Here is to Year Two!
Want to have your say? Coming soon - a new suggestion page on the website. Whether you have an idea for a webinar or want to volunteer your skills, we want to hear from you!
