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SOLID proudly gathered at the CMA office on Tuesday, June 19 to deliver a check in the amount of $37,900 to the CMA Foundation as a result of funds raised via the Backstage Auction at CMA Fest. The donation set a new benchmark for SOLID as it was the largest contribution to the CMA Foundation in the organization’s 26-year history.
“The Backstage Auction establishes the financial backbone of our organization,” says SOLID President Erin Pettit. “In 2018, it was elevated to the auction inside CMA Fest’s Fan Fair X and this year, the event chairs took it to a whole new level by establishing a multi-year partnership with the CMA Foundation and adding an online element for more inclusion and participation for the festival’s fans. We love to see return patrons visiting each year and welcome the new fans who are always interested in the uniquely curated collection of items and experiences up for bid. I’m incredibly proud of the innovation and determination of our Music Market Chairs, Jenny, Lizzy and Colin for executing such a monumental event and raising an unprecedented donation for the foundation. Thank you to all of the members that volunteered their time and to the music community for donating items and resources to set this new record. The partnership with the CMA Foundation is one that truly is life changing for our organization and we look forward to continuing this relationship supporting one another for years to come.”
“We are truly grateful for SOLID’s continued partnership during CMA Fest, and this year is further proof of our shared commitment in supporting music education programs throughout the United States,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “We often say it takes a village, and thanks to the generosity of not only our industry but our fans, we have the opportunity to positively impact students, teachers and communities across the country.”
The Backstage Auction was coordinated and executed under the direction of the 2023 SOLID Music Market Chairs --- Jenny Methling, 615 Leverage + Strategy Director of Strategic Partnerships, Lizzy Stone, Wiles + Taylor & Co. Jr. Account Manager & Colin McKay, Clair Global Quality Control Engineer. This year marked the first time that the Backstage Auction was both onsite and online via Better World. The web based online auction portal allowed fans the convenience of staying up-to-date on their favorite items without having to make return visits to the exhibition. Bids were collected throughout the festival on items from acts like Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley, Carly Pearce, Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Morgan Wallen, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Kacey Musgraves, Eric Church, Trisha Yearwood, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Brett Eldredge, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton and so many more.
The 2023 elevated partnership with the CMA Foundation brought the Backstage Auction to ticket holders at Nissan Stadium each night via a video anchored by Thomas Rhett airing in rotation on the side stage screens. “We are so thrilled with the support that both the CMA and CMA Foundation offered as part of our multi-year partnership,” says Methling. “Much of this year’s success can be attributed to the mass promotion in newsletters, social channels, the CMA Fest website and mobile app in addition to the stadium. We are excited to have a blueprint for successful auction events for the next few years and look forward to continuing SOLID’s support of the CMA Foundation.”
SOLID would like to thank the following industry partners for helping to make this year’s Backstage Auction a success: Gibson’s philanthropic arms, Gibson Gives and Epiphone Empowered for donating 20 Epiphone guitars for artists to autograph; Production Technology Partners for providing lighting for the on-site auction at Fan Fair X; and Clair Global for offering assistance with on-site logistics and the build of the physical activation.
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