local
CMA names new CEO following Sarah Trahern’s retirement announcement
By Danica Sauter at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 12, 2026
· 1 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Country Music Association (CMA) named their new chief executive officer. On June 8, CMA announced that Brittany Schaffer will succeed Sarah Trahern, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Schaffer will join the CMA organization on Sept. 8 as a part of a tran...
Key takeaway On June 8, CMA announced that Brittany Schaffer will succeed Sarah Trahern, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The appointment of Brittany Schaffer as the new CEO of the Country Music Association brings a leader with deep roots in Nashville 's music industry to the helm. Her experience as dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University has given her a unique understanding of the city's music ecosystem. Schaffer's role in expanding the college's presence on Music Row and launching initiatives like the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment demonstrates her ability to drive growth and innovation in the local music scene. As she takes the reins at the CMA, her connections to the city's music community and her background in shaping strategy for key genres will likely influence the organization's approach to promoting and supporting country music in Nashville. Her transition into the CEO role will be worth watching, particularly as the city continues to evolve as a hub for music production and performance.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Country Music Association (CMA) named their new chief executive officer. On June 8, CMA announced that Brittany Schaffer will succeed Sarah Trahern, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Schaffer will join the CMA organization on Sept. 8 as a part of a tran...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Danica Sauter at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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