Three Arkansas natives, one from Springdale, one from Mammoth Spring and one from Natural Dam, were recognized at this year's Country Music Association Awards in Nashville.
Fiddle player Jenee Fleenor, originally from Northwest Arkansas, became the first woman to win musician of the year during Wednesday's show.
Ashley McBryde of Mammoth Spring won best new artist at the awards show, according to a news release.
Shay Mooney of Natural Dam also received a vocal duo of the year award as a part of the duo Dan + Shay.
Fleenor, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., has toured with Blake Shelton and Aerosmith. She has been a regular performer on the television singing competition The Voice.
[Read our profile on Fleenor earlier this year.]
In addition to playing fiddle, Fleenor has become a noted songwriter. Her songs have been recorded by Shelton, Del McCoury, Kathy Mattea, Gretchen Wilson and Dolly Parton, who sang on "I Am Strong," a song Fleenor co-wrote with Jamie Johnson of The Grascals.
NW News on 08/30/2019