Sunset Country Fest co-founder John Oliveira has been accepted as a Professional Member of the Country Music Association.
The membership connects the festival’s leadership with one of country music’s most established professional organizations and provides access to industry research, educational programs, networking opportunities and other resources.
Because CMA memberships are held by individuals, John is the member associated with Sunset Country Fest. The festival is now represented within CMA’s professional community through his membership.
What the Country Music Association Is
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is a professional trade association dedicated to supporting and expanding country music in the United States and around the world.
Most country music fans know CMA through the annual CMA Awards and CMA Fest in Nashville. Behind those public events is a professional network that brings together artists, promoters, talent buyers, venues, agents, managers, record labels, publishers and other people working throughout the country music industry.
CMA also provides professional development, research, educational programs, healthcare resources and opportunities for industry members to connect.
What Professional Membership Includes
CMA currently offers Student, Industry and Professional membership tiers.
Professional Membership costs $100 annually and is available to people who work full time and earn their primary income within the country music industry.
Benefits may include:
- Access to country music audience research and industry insights
- Professional development and educational programs
- Networking opportunities and member events
- Access to the CMA member directory
- Healthcare guidance and optional programs
- CMA Close Up magazine
- Member discounts and ticket opportunities
- Use of the CMA member logo according to CMA guidelines
Professional Membership can also provide eligibility for CMA Awards voting, but voting rights require additional qualifications.
John Oliveira’s current membership does not include CMA Awards voting rights. His membership provides access to CMA’s professional resources, programs and industry network.
What This Means for Sunset Country Fest
For Sunset Country Fest, the greatest value of the membership is access to information and professional relationships.
CMA conducts research about country music audiences, listening habits and industry trends. That information can help festival organizers make more informed decisions about marketing, programming, pricing and the overall guest experience.
Membership also creates opportunities to connect with agents, talent buyers, artist representatives, venue professionals and other festival operators.
Those relationships are especially important for an independent event based in Central Florida, several states away from Nashville, where much of the country music business is concentrated.
The membership gives the Sunset Country Fest team another way to learn from the industry, build professional relationships and continue developing the festival responsibly.
What the Membership Does Not Mean
CMA Professional Membership is not an accreditation, certification or endorsement of Sunset Country Fest.
The Country Music Association does not approve the festival’s lineup, inspect its operations or participate in booking artists.
Artist bookings remain commercial agreements negotiated with artists and their representatives. Availability, routing, production requirements and budget continue to determine which artists can perform at the festival.
CMA membership provides access to professional resources and relationships. The value of that access depends on how the member uses it over time.
Why It Matters for Central Florida
Sunset Country Fest is being built as a country music experience created specifically for Central Florida.
While Nashville remains the center of the country music industry, Florida has a growing community of artists, venues, rodeos, festivals and country music fans.
Having festival leadership represented within CMA’s professional network helps connect those two communities.
It also supports the festival’s long-term goal of bringing national country music talent together with artists who have meaningful connections to Florida and the Southeast.
Our Perspective
Sunset Country News is published by Sunset Country Fest, so this article covers an announcement involving our own organization.
For that reason, the membership information in this article is based on the Country Music Association’s official membership pages and published requirements.
We are proud of this step, but we also want to describe it accurately. CMA Professional Membership gives John Oliveira and the Sunset Country Fest team access to valuable industry resources. It does not represent CMA approval or endorsement of the festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunset Country Fest a CMA Member?
CMA memberships are connected to individuals rather than companies or events. Sunset Country Fest co-founder John Oliveira is a CMA Professional Member representing the festival within the country music industry.
Does CMA Membership Mean CMA Endorses Sunset Country Fest?
No. CMA Professional Membership does not mean the Country Music Association has reviewed, approved or endorsed Sunset Country Fest, its lineup or its operations.
Can John Oliveira Vote in the CMA Awards?
Not currently. John’s Professional Membership does not presently include CMA Awards voting rights. CMA states that voting privileges require additional qualifications beyond joining the Professional tier.
What Does CMA Professional Membership Cost?
CMA Professional Membership currently costs $100 per year. Benefits include access to research, professional development, educational programs, networking opportunities and other industry resources.
Sunset Country Fest 2027
Sunset Country Fest takes place on Saturday, April 3, 2027, at the Apopka Amphitheater, located at 3710 Jason Dwelley Pkwy, Apopka, FL 32712.
Gates open at 2:00 PM.
The official Sunset Country Fest 2027 lineup will be announced on November 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM Eastern.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, December 8, 2026, exclusively through Eventbrite at sunsetcountryfest.eventbrite.com.
Festival updates will also be available on the schedule page, tickets page and FAQ page.
Become a Sunset Country Ambassador
Want to help share the Sunset Country Fest experience and earn rewards through your personal ticket link?
Learn more about the Sunset Country Ambassadors Program or apply to become an ambassador.