About Awards
The International Country Music Conference is proud to include awards that recognize excellence in advancing the field of country music studies. We hope this section clarifies any questions about the awards given during the conference.
Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism
The International Country Music Conference requests nominations for the 10th annual Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism. The Chet Flippo Award will be presented Friday, 29 May 2026 during the International Country Music Conference. The honoree will receive $1,000 funded by Dean Beverly Keel of Middle Tennessee State University.
Open to nominations from throughout the world, the Chet Flippo Award will honor a piece of writing on Country Music published during 2025 in a newspaper, magazine, website, or other appropriate channel distinct from academic books, reference works, and academic journals. Nominations will be evaluated by the committee based on the work’s significance of content, clarity of writing, and impact.
Nominations must be received by 30 March 2026 and include the nominee’s name, email contact information, and a link to the work for which the nomination is made. Writers of any employment status may be nominated. Self- nominations are welcome.
Please send nominations to James E. Akenson at jakenson@tntech.edu.
The Belmont University Curb Music Industry Award for Country Music Book of the Year
The Belmont University Curb Music Industry Award for Country Music Book of the Year is selected by a committee of scholars and those working in the field of country music. Yearly awards are per calendar year. For example, any book published in 2026 can be in running for the 2027 award. Books published before the current award year can not be nominated.
The book committee looks at how the book contributes to country music scholarship, filling gaps or offering new perspectives, and, of course, the quality of the overall work. We announce the winner mid-April. The winner is invited to the conference to accept the award; sadly, there is no monetary award at this time.
For authors and publishers:
Four copies of the nominated book should be mailed to the ICMC office at this address by January 30 for book committee review.
International Country Music Conference
MTSU Box 41
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
The general audience may nominate a book for the award by emailing internationalcountrymusicconf@gmail.com. We request the book title, author, and publisher if known.
Special Awards
Occasionally, the International Country Music Conference will recognize a member (s) of our community with special awards such as Lifetime Achievement Award or Mentor Award. These awards are rare and not always a annual award.
The general audience may nominate an award by emailing internationalcountrymusicconf@gmail.com.
Questions?
Still have questions? Wondering how to nominate for an award? Email ICMC at internationalcountrymusicconf@gmail.com