NASHVILLE, TN (CMA) - Renowned television producer/booker Mark Bracco was presented the 2005 CMA Media Achievement Award backstage this morning by superstar
Shania Twain and CMA executives following Twain's performance on "Good Morning America."
"This is one of those occasions when we are able to recognize an outstanding member of the media community, as well as a friend," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "Mark has done a great deal to further Country Music by giving the format a voice on 'Good Morning America.' And not just appearances by the format's superstars like Shania, but providing opportunities for developing young talent like Julie Roberts, who recorded the theme song for the show. Mark Bracco is very deserving of this award."
The CMA Media Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to Country Music. Print and Internet journalists; columnists; authors; editors; television writers, producers and bookers; and syndicated radio reporters are eligible to win this award. CMA member publicists nominate media candidates. The recommended recipient is presented to the CMA Executive Committee and then approved by the CMA Board of Directors.
Bracco began his television career at TV Guide in the magazine's publicity department. From there, he moved on to "Access Hollywood" in Los Angeles, where Bracco was a booker/producer working primarily with movies and television.
Next stop was ABC News' "Good Morning America," where Bracco was the program's chief entertainment booker. He was responsible for all entertainment bookings, including music, film and television. He was responsible for the program's summer concert series and "Women Rule!" concert series, featuring major musical artists including USHER, Sheryl Crow and Keith Urban among others. In fact, Bracco chose to kick off "Women Rule!" in 2004 with a live performance by Twain from downtown Nashville.
Bracco has since gone on to be the Director of ABC Specials and Variety, dividing his time between New York, Los Angeles and numerous projects in between.
Mark Bracco is now included in an exclusive list of journalists including:
1982 Jack Hurst
1983 Neil Hickey
1984 Dolly Carlisle
1985 Red O'Donnell
1986 No Award Presented
1987 Dave Zimmerman
1988 Bob Oermann
1989 Bob Claypool
1990 Dick Heard
1991 No Award Presented
1992 Mark McEwen
1993 Lynn Lester
1994 Judy Massa
1995 Clay Smith
1996 Tisi Aylward
1997 Jay Orr
1998 Chet Flippo
1999 Hazel Smith
2000 Neil Pond
2001 Harry Chapman
2002 Jim Patterson
2003 Denise Quan
2004 Alanna Nash
