The Country Music Association has inked an exclusive partnership with Solo Music for an NFT drop in celebration of the upcoming “55th Annual CMA Awards,” which airs Nov. 10 on ABC. The NFT collection will debut Nov. 12, featuring artwork surrounding the CMA Awards trophy. Solo has previously announced partnerships with singer-songwriter Eric Paslay, songwriter Tommy Cecil and recording studio Capricorn Studio.
The collection will be available in limited quantities, and net proceeds from the drop will benefit the CMA Foundation, which advocates for equitable access to music education and works to aid students and teachers across the United States. Owners of “The 55th Annual CMA Awards” NFT will serve as the first members of CMA’s NFT digital community, offering exclusive access and ticket opportunities to future CMA events.
“Our mission at CMA is to grow country music globally. By partnering with Solo Music on a CMA Awards NFT, we have the opportunity to reach new audiences, further engage with existing fans and create a whole new digital community,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer. “We could not be more excited about this venture and the opportunity it brings to country music. What a perfect time to launch as we celebrate ‘The 55th Annual CMA Awards’!”
“We could not be more thrilled to partner with CMA for a drop on our platform and the launch of their digital community. CMA has shown a commitment to embracing this new medium and clearly understands the dramatic impact this technology is making world-wide,” said Solo CEO/Founder Barron Solomon. “We are thrilled for today and excited about what the future will bring as we leverage NFTs and blockchain to deliver fan experiences like never before.”
“We’re excited to partner with CMA to bring NFTs to the country music fan and beyond. Through conversations, CMA has demonstrated their desire to be a leader in this new space and we’re excited to walk alongside them in helping introduce this powerful technology to the core country consumer,” said Tim Gerst, Solo Music co-founder. “Together, we will be able to begin to change the way that music fans think about interacting with their favorite artists and brands.”
The Recording Academy recently struck a deal with OneOf for an NFT collection, to release NFT collectibles for the next three Grammy Awards. Also, Live Nation recently announced a deal to sell collectible ticket stub NFTs for Swedish House Mafia’s “Paradise Again” Tour, which launches on July 29, 2022 in Miami. Other artists that recently revealed NFT deals include SZA and Kings of Leon. TikTok also launched an NFT collection with artists including Lil Nas X.
