The Country Music Association honored The Tennessean country-music reporter Marcus K. Dowling with the 2023 CMA Media Achievement Award during rehearsal for the 57th Annual CMA Awards on Monday.

The accolade was presented by K. Michelle and five-time CMA Awards nominee Jelly Roll, who will perform a duet of “Love Can Build a Bridge” at the CMA Awards. The event will be hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning at Bridgestone Arena Wednesday and aired on ABC.

“Dowling has become one of country music’s most distinct and reputable voices, not only in Nashville but around the globe,” CMA officials said, in a statement. “A vibrant storyteller, Dowling has had a front-row seat reporting in country music’s rapid expansion and growing popularity.”

Dowling joined The Tennessean in 2021, the year he received the Rolling Stone Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism. In 2022, he was a Best of Gannett and National Headliner Awards recipient. He also has screenwriting credits with Viacom, A&E Networks and more.

At The Tennessean, his work is distinguished by both his breaking news and his in-depth analysis of trends and important industry happenings.

Michael A. Anastasi, editor of The Tennessean and vice president of local news for the USA Today Network, said Dowling has quickly become an important voice in the epicenter of the global country-music landscape.

“Marcus Dowling is passionate not only about country music, its roots and history, and its artists, but its fans,” Anastasi said. “He understands his job is to serve them, our readers. He does so with an energy and sophistication that brings joy and understanding. That is a rare gift.”

The Country Music Association, the first trade organization for the industry was founded in 1958 and said the media achievement award “recognizes the outstanding achievements of print and internet journalists, columnists, authors, editors, television writers, producers and bookers and syndicated radio reporters in the media as they relate to country music.”