ΩBillboard staff writer Jessica Nicholson is the recipient of the 2024 CMA Media Achievement Award, presented by the Country Music Association on Tuesday (Nov. 19) in Nashville.

Nicholson was surprised with news of her win backstage at Bridgestone Arena during rehearsals for the 58th Annual CMA Awards by two-time CMA Awards winner and performer this year Thomas Rhett.

Voted on by the publicist members of the CMA, the award recognizes the outstanding achievements of print and online journalists, columnists, authors, editors, television writers, producers and bookers and syndicated radio reporters in the media as they relate to country music.

In making its announcement, the CMA said, “Nicholson has been a consistent and valuable voice in amplifying the extensive growth of country music around the world since joining Billboard full time in 2021. With a rich history in country music journalism, prior to joining Billboard, Nicholson wrote for various publications including American Songwriter, CMT, Forbes, and more. She previously served as managing editor for music industry trade publication MusicRow Magazine and as a staff writer for Country Music publication Country Weekly.”

“Country music has been a lifelong passion, and I feel very fortunate and humbled to join the lineage of journalists who have won this honor. Thank you to the Country Music Association, to everyone who voted and to Billboard for its unwavering support of country music coverage,” Nicholson says. “Thank you to everyone who has allowed me to be part of Nashville’s country music community, to help share the stories of this industry and its talented artists.”

“In her time at Billboard, Jessica’s love for and her vast knowledge of country music has been evident in every story she writes. She dives deep into each story, eager to shine a light on and amplify country music from both the artistic and business sides,” says Melinda Newman, Billboard’s executive editor, West Coast and Nashville. “She has greatly enriched Billboard’s coverage of country music from all facets.”

Four other Billboard writers have been presented with the CMA media achievement award — contributors Deborah Evans Price in 2013, the late Chuck Dauphin in 2014, Billboard Country Update editor Tom Roland in 2018 and Newman in 2020.

The 58th annual CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson, airs Wednesday (Nov. 20) on ABC and Nov. 21 on Hulu.