Evening gowns mixed with cowboy hats (really) at the packed celebrations that followed the Country Music Association’s Country Music Awards, which came to Madison Square Garden for the show’s first time outside Nashville. About 2,500 guests—association members, music label executives, recording artists, and execs from CBS (which broadcast the awards)—swarmed to the official post-party at the Marriot Marquis, while an assortment of country music labels hosted their own parties at other venues.
Bobette Dudley, association vice president of events and program development, oversaw the CMA's huge event—as well as all logistics for the awards—and hired Destination Nashville, a destination management company from back home, to produce the party. Destination’s vice president of client services, Carol Norfleet, led the project, with help from president and C.E.O. Rhonda Marko. Having worked on the events in their traditional venues (the Grand Ole Opry House for the ceremony and the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center for party), Norfleet and Marko told us the ballroom space in Nashville is about four times the size of what’s available in New York. To make it all work, the party took over the Marquis’ large Broadway Ballroom and its balcony, two additional rooms, and the lobbies on the two floors.
Empire Force Events—which designed the event's overall look—suspended a huge three-tier light sculpture over a circular bar in the ballroom. The sheer fabric chandelier cycled through colors—at times casting a rich pink glow, later a lush blue. Along the sides of the main space hung long, shiny silver spangles for a curtainlike effect; the sparkling strands not only spiffed up the room, but served as stylish dividers in the center of buffet tables below. (The lobby spaces featured lounges adorned with the sparkling accents, as did the smaller Astor Ballroom, which had lounges, buffets, and an intimate performance space for jazz act Brad Detrick and the Mystic Pilgrims.)
Empire Force also placed large inflatable caves from Blowup Things in four corners of the main ballroom. Illuminated in a changing display of soft, fading colors, the caves were outfitted with stylish white furniture from Cort Event Furnishings to offer a bit of privacy. Shiny silver Mylar covered the dance floor, where throngs crowded to watch a one-hour performance by Wynonna. Atomic Design provided the stage set, and the Country Music Association’s Chuck Young handled stage lighting.
Food was in no short supply—large buffet stations lined the perimeter of the ballroom, with offerings that included Mediterranean flavors: tapenade, marinated olives, hummus, and artichoke and spinach phyllo pouches. The buffets also included crab cakes, truffled potato croquettes, glazed duck, and a selection of chicken—with coconut and sesame, or with tarragon. In addition to the main buffets, the hotel provided pasta, sauté, and dessert stations.
While the after-party hummed along at the Marriott, various labels celebrated around town. Capitol Records took over Nikki Midtown with a party put together by EMI Music artist relations manager for North America Edna Abad. More than 700 guests attended, spurred on by three wins, including Keith Urban as male vocalist of the year and entertainer of the year, and Dierks Bentley as best newcomer. Bloom Flowers created tall arrangements of white flowers that matched the white furniture. Wise & Company put together Universal’s party at another bed-inspired venue, Duvet, where the label celebrated Lee Ann Womack winning the album of the year award.
Sony BMG celebrated at Gotham Hall. Sony’s Ileane Santana, senior director of special projects and communications, and Melani Rogers, senior vice president of special events, put together the event, which celebrated artists from Sony Music Nashville and RCA Label Group Nashville. A massive bouquet of tall branches, roses, orchids, and birds of paradise sat in the center of the oval space, surrounded by round, red settee-style lounge seating. Thomas Preti Caterers served a full international buffet as well as passed hors d'oeuvres.
—Mark Mavrigian, Alesandra Dubin, & Anna Sekula
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Bobette Dudley, association vice president of events and program development, oversaw the CMA's huge event—as well as all logistics for the awards—and hired Destination Nashville, a destination management company from back home, to produce the party. Destination’s vice president of client services, Carol Norfleet, led the project, with help from president and C.E.O. Rhonda Marko. Having worked on the events in their traditional venues (the Grand Ole Opry House for the ceremony and the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center for party), Norfleet and Marko told us the ballroom space in Nashville is about four times the size of what’s available in New York. To make it all work, the party took over the Marquis’ large Broadway Ballroom and its balcony, two additional rooms, and the lobbies on the two floors.
Empire Force Events—which designed the event's overall look—suspended a huge three-tier light sculpture over a circular bar in the ballroom. The sheer fabric chandelier cycled through colors—at times casting a rich pink glow, later a lush blue. Along the sides of the main space hung long, shiny silver spangles for a curtainlike effect; the sparkling strands not only spiffed up the room, but served as stylish dividers in the center of buffet tables below. (The lobby spaces featured lounges adorned with the sparkling accents, as did the smaller Astor Ballroom, which had lounges, buffets, and an intimate performance space for jazz act Brad Detrick and the Mystic Pilgrims.)
Empire Force also placed large inflatable caves from Blowup Things in four corners of the main ballroom. Illuminated in a changing display of soft, fading colors, the caves were outfitted with stylish white furniture from Cort Event Furnishings to offer a bit of privacy. Shiny silver Mylar covered the dance floor, where throngs crowded to watch a one-hour performance by Wynonna. Atomic Design provided the stage set, and the Country Music Association’s Chuck Young handled stage lighting.
Food was in no short supply—large buffet stations lined the perimeter of the ballroom, with offerings that included Mediterranean flavors: tapenade, marinated olives, hummus, and artichoke and spinach phyllo pouches. The buffets also included crab cakes, truffled potato croquettes, glazed duck, and a selection of chicken—with coconut and sesame, or with tarragon. In addition to the main buffets, the hotel provided pasta, sauté, and dessert stations.
While the after-party hummed along at the Marriott, various labels celebrated around town. Capitol Records took over Nikki Midtown with a party put together by EMI Music artist relations manager for North America Edna Abad. More than 700 guests attended, spurred on by three wins, including Keith Urban as male vocalist of the year and entertainer of the year, and Dierks Bentley as best newcomer. Bloom Flowers created tall arrangements of white flowers that matched the white furniture. Wise & Company put together Universal’s party at another bed-inspired venue, Duvet, where the label celebrated Lee Ann Womack winning the album of the year award.
Sony BMG celebrated at Gotham Hall. Sony’s Ileane Santana, senior director of special projects and communications, and Melani Rogers, senior vice president of special events, put together the event, which celebrated artists from Sony Music Nashville and RCA Label Group Nashville. A massive bouquet of tall branches, roses, orchids, and birds of paradise sat in the center of the oval space, surrounded by round, red settee-style lounge seating. Thomas Preti Caterers served a full international buffet as well as passed hors d'oeuvres.
—Mark Mavrigian, Alesandra Dubin, & Anna Sekula
Related Stories
Bringing Nashville to New York
Country Music Awards Come to New York
Water Wall Wows Grammy After-Party
Reflective silver strands hung over the buffets for a shiny, decorative effect at the Country Music Awards’ official after-party, but the enormous sheer chandelier that capped the main bar dominated the space.
Guests rushed towards the stage when Wynonna performed.
Empire Force Events placed inflatable cave structures from Blowup Things in the corners of the main ballroom to create cozy lounges.
The Marriot Marquis’ dessert menu included opera cakes with the CMA logo in white chocolate.
