NASHVILLE - BBC Radio 2 Executive Producer Al Booth was surprised at this week's CMA International Media Reception when she was presented with the 2009 Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. The Award recognizes outstanding achievements in media which contribute to the development of Country Music outside the United States.
"Country Music is always what I wanted to work, and I wanted to work in Country Music radio," said Booth. "That's not very easy in the U.K., so to get this award is absolutely incredible. I want to thank CMA for all they do to help us put on our CMA show, which is going out across the U.K. on Friday night. I'd like to also thank the presenters I work with quite often, Bob Harris and Nick Barraclough, who are both friends and really good guys."
A lifelong Country Music fan, Booth is the Country Music specialist at the United Kingdom's most popular radio station BBC Radio 2, with a weekly reach of nearly 13.5 million listeners. As part of her duties, she produces the station's weekly Country program, hosted by Sony Award-winning presenter Bob Harris. For 10 years, she has worked alongside Harris and other presenters (including Nick Barraclough, Mark Lamarr, and Paul Sexton) on BBC Radio 2's coverage of the CMA Awards, the Americana Music Awards, and the South by Southwest Festival. In addition, she has written and produced BBC documentaries including "Roots, Rappers and Rednecks" and "'80s Nashville - Taking Back the Country," the latter presented by Wynonna.
"Al has been a strong voice for Country Music in London and throughout the United Kingdom with her work on BBC Radio 2," said Wendy Pearl, CMA Vice President of Communications. "She is a passionate advocate of our artists and format, and very deserving of this Award."
Booth was in town preparing to produce BBC Radio 2's coverage of "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" with host Dale Winton. The highlights show with performances and interviews will be broadcast in the United Kingdom on Nov. 13.
Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award winners
1990 Mark Cooper, BBC TV, UK
1991 Richard Wootton, Byworth Wootton, UK
1992 Wally Whyton, BBC Radio 2, UK
1993 Tony Byworth, Byworth Wootton, UK
1994 Avril MacRory, BBC Television, UK
1995 Georges Lang, RTL, Luxembourg
1996 Mark Hagen, VH-1, UK
1997 BBC Radio 2, UK
1998 The Midday Show, Australia
1999 Trevor Dann, BBC Music Entertainment, UK
2000 Gill Robert, MusicCountry, Australia/Pacific Rim
2001 Howard Bowles, HSB Media, UK
2002 CMT Canada
2003 Country Music People, UK
2004 Terry Wogan and Paul Walters, UK
2005 Country Gazette, The Netherlands
2006 Tim Daley, CMC, Australia
2007 Alan Cackett, UK
2008 Roger Ryan, Ireland
2009 Al Booth, BBC Radio 2, UK
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