NASHVILLE (AP) — Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is being recognized by the Country Music Association.

He was presented the CMA Founding President's Award during the group's board of directors meeting this week in Nashville.

The award is given to someone who has rendered the most outstanding service to the association in the current year.

In pointing out Dean's contributions, the board's president said he aided the success of the CMA Music Festival with the opening this year of a new $623 million convention center downtown.

Founded in 1958, the CMA has a membership of more than 7,000 music industry professionals and companies around the globe.