Scott Borchetta, the founder and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, has been awarded the 2025 CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence. The honor was presented to him on the red carpet at the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards, ahead of his nominations in various categories.
The award comes as a surprise to Borchetta, who expressed his gratitude and humility towards the CMA Board and its CEO, Sarah Trahern. He described Waugh as a "true visionary" who significantly impacted country music and culture, and he is humbled to be recognized alongside many other influential figures in the industry.
Borchetta's career has been marked by significant contributions to the country music landscape. As an executive producer, he has championed numerous projects, including the 20-track Petty Country and the Grammy-winning documentary Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me. His label group is home to renowned artists such as Thomas Rhett, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Carly Pearce, Mötley Crüe, and Sheryl Crow.
Waugh was a pioneering radio and TV executive who was active from the 1940s through the early 1990s. He began his career at WSM-Nashville as a radio announcer in 1941 and went on to hold various positions within the company before passing away in April 2007 at age 94.
The CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to country music. This year's winner, Scott Borchetta, has proven himself to be a trailblazer in his own right, navigating the industry with remarkable clarity and conviction while championing emerging talent and supporting legacy artists.
The award comes as a surprise to Borchetta, who expressed his gratitude and humility towards the CMA Board and its CEO, Sarah Trahern. He described Waugh as a "true visionary" who significantly impacted country music and culture, and he is humbled to be recognized alongside many other influential figures in the industry.
Borchetta's career has been marked by significant contributions to the country music landscape. As an executive producer, he has championed numerous projects, including the 20-track Petty Country and the Grammy-winning documentary Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me. His label group is home to renowned artists such as Thomas Rhett, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Carly Pearce, Mötley Crüe, and Sheryl Crow.
Waugh was a pioneering radio and TV executive who was active from the 1940s through the early 1990s. He began his career at WSM-Nashville as a radio announcer in 1941 and went on to hold various positions within the company before passing away in April 2007 at age 94.
The CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to country music. This year's winner, Scott Borchetta, has proven himself to be a trailblazer in his own right, navigating the industry with remarkable clarity and conviction while championing emerging talent and supporting legacy artists.
just saw that Scott Borchetta won the 2025 CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence 
. Like, what's crazy is how many iconic artists are part of Big Machine Label Group - Thomas Rhett, Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce... the list goes on! 
And his label group has been responsible for some game-changing projects like Petty Country and Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me (that documentary won a Grammy, btw) 
The award's actually presented annually to individuals who've made significant contributions to country music... and Scott's definitely one of them! 
I'm so stoked that Scott Borchetta is getting this amazing award! He's been doing some incredible work in country music for years, from launching the careers of talented artists like Thomas Rhett to producing Grammy-winning documentaries. His label group has been a game-changer for the industry, and it's awesome to see him being recognized as a true visionary 
#CMAawards #CountryMusic #ScottBorchetta
It's not surprising that Scott Borchetta received this award, considering his impressive track record in country music 
. He has been instrumental in shaping the genre through his work as a producer and label head, and his commitment to nurturing new artists is particularly noteworthy 
. His win is a well-deserved acknowledgement of his contributions to the industry, and I'm sure it will continue to inspire future generations of artists and executives 
.
gotta say, award season is still all about who knows who... Borchetta's got some serious cred, though - from Petty Country to Glen Campbell, he's been behind some of the biggest names in country music 
. It's about time someone recognizes the dude who's been making waves in the industry for years. Sarah Trahern, you're doing your job, I guess 
. Can't wait to see what else Borchetta has up his sleeve... or should I say, his label group 
20-track petty country with tom petty was such a game changer and i love how he's been supporting those underrated artists from day one... 
his leadership has brought so much excitement to the industry & it's awesome that he's carrying on waugh's legacy 
and i'm low-key obsessed 
his label group is literally home to some of the biggest names in country and i'm loving how he's used his platform to champion new talent and legacy artists alike 
he's been doing some amazing work in country music for years, from discovering new talent to producing incredible projects... that petty country doco was SO GOOD btw 
. i'm so down for more awards like this!
I mean, who wouldn't want to win an award named after some old dude from the 40s? It's not like there are other influential people in country music or anything... 
Scott Borchetta seems pretty cool, but I guess it's nice that he's getting recognized for his contributions. I just wonder what Waugh would think if he knew his name was going to be on a fancy award every year 
I mean, Petty Country is a masterpiece, and Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me is such an iconic docu-series. And can we talk about his label group? 
Thomas Rhett, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts... it's like a dream lineup for country music fans! 
. Still, Waugh was definitely a pioneer in the industry, and it's awesome that they're keeping his legacy alive 
From Thomas Rhett to Sheryl Crow, he's worked with some seriously legendary names in the industry. Plus, I love how humble he is about it all - just genuinely grateful and appreciative of the recognition. That's what it's all about! 
gotta love how old-school country is still rocking this award thing... like 94 just isn't that old anymore, right? 
anyway, Borchetta's always been a smart guy, I guess it's about time he got recognized for all his label-cooling efforts. Petty Country, Glen Campbell doco - the man's got some serious taste in music 
