Applications open next week for the 2009 CMAA Australian College of Country Music.

A training and development initiative of the Country Music Assocation of Australia, the College has been in operation since 1997. The course is focussed on vocalists and/or musicians aged 18 - 35 who are ready to take the next big step in their careers.

Over the years 252 students have graduated with a whole new perspective on the music business and what it takes to succeed as a professional in today's country music industry. In addition to this, the students leave College with a powerhouse network of industry contacts, built throughout the two-week intensive residential course but ready to assist in professional development post-College

The 2009 students will showcase their polished skills at the highly regarded CMAA College Graduation Concert on Friday night, 16th January in Blazes at West Tamworth League Club. Industry talents spotters and country music fans alike, along with family and friends of the students, will be treated to a number of pieces written especially for the concert, along with a few surprises.

Applications will be available to download from next Wednesday, 14th May and close on Friday, 29th August.
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Country Music superstars Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn presented the 2007 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award to Nick Erby during a visit backstage after the duo's sold-out concert at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia earlier this week.

L - R: Rob Potts (CMA Board Member and CEO, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge); Kix Brooks (CMA Board Member and artist, Brooks & Dunn); Nick Erby (2007 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award recipient); Clarence Spalding (CMA Board Chairman and President, Spalding Entertainment) and Ronnie Dunn (artist, Brooks & Dunn). Photo Credit: Dean Turnbull

Widely regarded as Country Music's leading broadcaster in Australia, Erby has produced and hosted Country radio and television programs for more than 30 years. Currently Erby's radio show can be heard every Saturday and Sunday night via CMR (Country Music Radio). The program originates from 2TM in Tamworth and is broadcast on 38 commercial stations in Australia, including 2SM Sydney, while also being streamed online at 2sm.com.au

"I'm very grateful for the recognition from CMA," said a surprised Erby. "It comes at a very exciting time for Country Music in Australia. Our local industry is now very strong, with some wonderful talent emerging every year."

For 20 years, Erby produced and hosted "Country Music Jamboree," a weekly, syndicated program, which was broadcast on 68 regional and metro radio stations. He also hosted "Nick Erby's Country Close Up" (1980-1982) and "Nick Erby's Country Music Video" (1994-1995) for television. During his successful broadcast career, Erby has filled management positions at commercial stations 2CC Canberra, 3UZ Melbourne and 2UE Sydney. From the late '80s, he headed up 2TM Tamworth's Country Music division which broadcast the nightly program "Hoedown" that was later renamed CMR. He also is a regular contributor to Capital News.

Erby previously won the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award in 1997, the first year the Award was presented. Erby will launch the Internet radio station, CMR OnLine (Australia's Country Music Radio), by the end of April.
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The double CD featuring the finalists in the 36th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco, has debuted this week in number 1 spot on the ARIA Australian Country Charts, pushing the international superstars of Bon Jovi into second place.

The 'Winners' is an annual release of the CMAA in conjunction with EMI Music Australia, and features 35 tracks including performances by Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Dianna Corcoran, The McClymonts, Beccy Cole and Sara Storer.

Th Winners 2008 (Cat # 50999 518820 2 0) featuring 35 superb tracks is available at all good record stores now!
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The success of the 36th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco, is in no doubt after the Awards reached the #1 position in viewing and sales.

The live broadcast of the Awards with Southern Cross Ten throughout Australia took out the number 1 watched program spot with a 34.9% share of viewers in the 8.30pm timeslot. The delayed 10.30pm broadcast of the Awards in Northern NSW did not perturb the most loyal of fans, gaining a massive 48.7% share of viewers - an incredible 13.5% lead on the nearest network program.

The news keeps on getting better with the broadcast of the Awards featuring strongly in the 16-39 year age groups, highlighting the ongoing push to make country music appealing to the younger generation of Australians.
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In response to recent media speculation, the CMAA would like to be very clear that it has no intention, no plan and no desire to take the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia out of Tamworth.

The CMAA and the Country Music industry look forward to positive discussions with Tamworth Regional Council to work together and continue the growth of what is recognised as one of Australia's greatest regional events.

The support of the Australian Country Music Industry - the artists, record labels, publishers, agents, management, and music media - have made an enormous contribution to the success of the festival and Awards over the last 36 years.

The industry shares a common desire for the festival and the Country Music Awards of Australia to reach their full potential on every level.

The CMAA salutes the people of Tamworth for their support of Australian Country Music and looks forward to growing this iconic event for the Tamworth region and for the entire Australia Country Music Industry.
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