Brooks picked to receive CMA honor

Brooks, who had been one-half of Brooks & Dunn, will receive the honor in January 2015. "It's embarrassing to be singled out in such a giving community," said Brooks. "It's easy to look around and be inspired by people who do more. I'll keep trying - this is very special."

"Kix is a true ambassador, champion and humanitarian for CMA and this industry as a whole," said Rob Beckham, chair of the Awards and Recognition Committee. "His philanthropic efforts continue to make the world a better place."

The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy. Those recognized must be a country music professional who has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the country community.

The honor can only be presented once a year. Candidates are submitted for consideration when a letter of recommendation by a CMA Board member is submitted to the CMA Foundation Board of Directors. The nominee's name is then to be submitted and approved by the CMA Board of Directors.

Brooks has been an active member of the CMA Board of Directors since 1998, serving and chairing numerous committees as well as presiding as board president in 2004 and chairman in 2005.

In 2006, CMA established an Artist Relations Committee with Brooks as the inaugural chairman. Brooks noticed that schools in the Metro Nashville Public Schools system were cutting funds in music education and felt that CMA could step in and help fill the void needed to supply instruments and music. It was his leadership and vision that created CMA's "Keep The Music Playing" program, the forerunner of the CMA Foundation. The program receives funding through CMA Music Festival with half of the net proceeds given as grants to support music education programs across the country on behalf of the artists who perform for free. To date, the CMA Foundation has donated more than $10 million to this cause.

Brooks was also an early proponent of developing affordable health insurance options for CMA members, which resulted in the creation of CMA Instrumental Health Care.