"That he actually managed to...come out with an album of that kind of quality - I am totally impressed," says one of the activists who wrote to the Recording Academy's CEO about Mehdi Rajabian.
"That he actually managed to...come out with an album of that kind of quality - I am totally impressed," said the groups of Mehdi Rajabian in a letter to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.
The honorees will be saluted at separate ceremonies in Glendale, Calif., and Seattle in November.
Cory Fitzner from Hubbard Radio's "The Country Top 40 With Fitz" is named weekly national broadcast personality of the year.
Billboard looks at the crossroads of Recording Academy and chart success on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 over the last 65 years.
The program aims to foster broader representation in film music composition.
"Toby has been the gold standard of songwriting in the modern era of Country music," said BMI's Clay Bradley.
The Oct. 12 event will include congratulatory video tributes from Reba McEntire, Rob Thomas, Diane Warren, and more.
Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Walker Hayes, Alan Jackson and more will also be honored during the upcoming 'CMT Artists of the Year' special.
