The 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival was launched in Sydney’s Darlinghurst today in conjunction with the announcement of finalists in the 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco.

Tamworth Mayor James Treloar promised next January’s annual Music Festival and Awards would continue to be a benchmark for entertainment.

“We now have a unified approach to the Festival, locking in the key partners, including  Tamworth Council, Tourism Tamworth, the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) and Events NSW, and we have a determination that Tamworth is the place to be in January 2010”.

According to Events NSW CEO, Geoff Parmenter, Tamworth Country Music Festival and the CMAA Country Music Awards tick all the boxes in terms of delivering marketing, economic and community benefits.

“Events NSW is committed to establishing an event development strategy that will increase the status of the Festival and nationally and internationally and increase the reputation of Tamworth as Australia’s spiritual home of country music. Together with all the partners we will build the next generation of Festival growth.”

The prestigious CMAA Country Music Awards Australia, presented by Jayco, will be handed out on January 23 next year in Tamworth as the climax to the annual country music extravaganza that draws more than 50,000 visitors and delivers over 2,500 scheduled performances with 70% being free.

This year’s finalists from the eclectic world of Australia country music is a beguiling mix of established stars and shooting stars rising to the challenge of maintaining the exceptional creativity of the Golden Guitars.

At the star studded launch, acclaimed singer-songwriter Troy Cassar-Daley opened the show with an acoustic performance before blazing his way into the finals of the 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia with an astonishing seven nominations across a wide range of categories.

Cassar-Daley has been nominated for six individual “Golden Guitars” including the big four: Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and APRA Song of the Year. He has also been nominated for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with The McClymonts for Ain’t Gonna Change for You, Heritage Song of the Year and Video Clip of the Year.

International superstar Keith Urban is up for four Awards, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year and APRA Song of the Year.

The always popular 2009 Dancing with the Stars winner, Adam Brand, who’s currently alternating between performing in Australia and recording in Nashville, has three nominations: Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year.

Paul Costa forced open a door at the highest level of recognition with his song Survivor 1932 and is a finalist in the Male Artist of the Year, Heritage Song of the Year and APRA Song of the Year categories.

Finalists for the first time in the Album of the Year areHarmony James and Jetty Road which includes identical twins Lee and Paula Bowman in the line-up. Jetty Road also received nominations in the Single of the Year and for Group or Duo of the Year categories.

Finalists in the Female Artist of the Year include well known previous winner Tania Kernaghan and the always celebrated singer-songwriter, Felicity Urquhart. Felicity is also nominated for APRA Song of the Year which she co-wrote. 

They will be up against talented newcomers whose early promise has now matured into making them crowd-pleasing drawcards, Amber Lawrence, Lianna Rose and Harmony James. Lawrence is also in the final for Video Clip of the Year.

Bush Ballad of the Year is a close knit affair for the first family of Australian country music, the Kernaghan's with their song, Droving Cattle With The Boys, receiving a finals place.

The always effervescent, The McClymonts, have been nominated for three Awards: Single of the Year, Video Clip of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Troy Cassar-Daley.

Veterans The Bushwackers, are back in the spotlight with three nominations: Bush Ballad of the Year, Fender Instrumental of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year.

Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia Rod Laing, praised the standards of the finalists in all categories, saying it underlined the overall quality of our performers.

“Australia can be proud of the country music we create and perform in this country” he said.

“It is world class. We see that with the regular acceptance overseas of our performers like Keith Urban, Catherine Britt and so many others. This year’s finalists and the wide range of singers and songwriters just waiting for a chance confirms that country music in Australia has never been stronger.”

Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and the Little Hillbillies were announced as confirmed performers on the Awards stage as was 2008 Australian of the Year, Lee Kernaghan.

For a full list of Finalists please see below.

The 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival will take place 15th-24th January, 2010. The 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco will take place at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre on Saturday 23rd January, 2010.

For more information, details or tickets please log onto www.tcmf.com.au

Finalists in the 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia

Album of the Year:
Defying Gravity – Keith Urban, produced by Dann Huff (USA) & Keith Urban
Hell of A Ride – Adam Brand, produced by Richard Landis (USA)
I Love This Place – Troy Cassar-Daley, produced by Rod McCormack, Troy Cassar-Daley & Jeff McCormack
Life At A Million Miles – Jetty Road, produced by Julian Sammut & Mark Moffat
Tailwind – Harmony James, produced by Herm Kovac

Male Artist of the Year:
James Blundell – Good Wood
Adam Brand – Hell Of A Ride
Troy Cassar-Daley - I Love This Place
Paul Costa – Survivor 1932
Keith Urban – Kiss A Girl

Female Artist of the Year:
Harmony James – Precious Little
Tania Kernaghan – Second Time Around
Amber Lawrence – When It All Comes Down
Lianna Rose – Angels
Felicity Urquhart – Roller Coaster

Group or Duo of the Year:
Carter & Carter – Surviving Black Saturday
Davidson Brothers – A Showman’s Life
Jetty Road – Life at A Million Miles
The Bobkatz – The Long Haul
The Bushwackers – The Good Old Days

Vocal Collaboration of the Year:
Tangerine Sky – Australian Country Music Unites
Ain’t Gonna Change For You – Troy Cassar-Daley & The McClymonts
King Of The Road – Adam Harvey & John Williamson
Courageous – Melinda Schneider & Australian Girls Choir
You’ve Got A Friend – Songbirds (Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole & Sara Storer)

Bush Ballad of the Year:
Droving Cattle with the Boys – written by T Kernaghan/F Kernaghan, recorded by Tania Kernaghan
Old Black Quart – written by Coster/Coster/Quinn/Pritchard/Corbett, recorded by Tracy Coster
The Dust of Kalkadoon – written by Ian Quinn, recorded by Dean Perrett
The First Lady of Country – written by Graham Rodger/Deirdre Willmington, recorded by Graham Rodger
The Road To Thargomindah – written by Colin Buchanan, recorded by the Bushwackers

Heritage Song of the Year:
Chasin’ Rodeo – written and recorded by Troy Cassar-Daley
Surviving Black Saturday – written by David Carter/Merelyn Carter, recorded by Carter and Carter
Survivor 1932 – written by Costa/Costa/McCormack, recorded by Paul Costa
Tangerine Sky – written by Tamara Stewart, recorded by Australian Country Music Unites
When I Was A Boy – written and recorded by Greg Storer and Sara Storer

Fender Instrumental of the Year:
Flying Pig – The Bushwackers
Fox On The Freeway – Davidson Brothers
It’s Not Easy – Joe Robinson
Jolly Swagman – Tommy Emmanuel
Waiting At The Station – Lawrie Minson

Maton New Talent of the Year:
Victoria Baillie – Make Me
Liam Brew – Girls With Girlfriends
Jayne Denham – Shake This Town
Ronni Rae Rivers – Running On Fumes
Lianna Rose – Jack

APRA Song of the Year:
Big Big Love – written and recorded by Troy Cassar-Daley
Girl In The Mall – written by Felicity Urquhart/Mark Seymour, recorded by Felicity Urquhart
Survivor 1932 – written by Costa/Costa/McCormack, recorded by Paul Costa
When It All Comes Down – written and recorded by Amber Lawrence
Why’s It Feel So Long – written and recorded by Keith Urban

Video Clip of the Year:
Big Big Love – Troy Cassar Daley, directed by Ross Wood
Don’t Do Lonely Well – Amber Lawrence, directed by Glenn Wilson
I Want My Tractor Back – Lianna Rose, directed by Ross Wood
Kick It Up – The McClymonts, directed by Myles Conti
When I Was A Boy – Greg Storer & Sara Storer, directed by Duncan Toombs

Single of the Year:
Big Big Love – Troy Cassar-Daley
Kiss A Girl – Keith Urban
Million Miles – Jetty Road
Ready For Love – Adam Brand
Shotgun – The McClymonts

The CMAA is calling for expressions of interest for the management team for the 2010 CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music.

The Academy of Country Music was created in July 2009 by the Country Music Association of Australia and the Directors of the Camerata School of Country Music. The CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music incorporates the production and management of the two residential schools of the CMAA Australian College of Country Music and the Camerata School of Country Music.

The Australian Academy of Country Music provides an innovative residential program that offers Australia’s and New Zealands talented and promising emerging country artists and specialist musicians the opportunity to broaden their horizons and skill levels via close interaction with industry's leading specialists.

The CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music increases the professionalism and the skills of emerging country music artists and musicians. This is achieved through the delivery of an intensive residential environment that is tailored to the meet needs of the individual students, with a heavy emphasis given to encouraging creativity.

Whilst the program concentrates on the country music genre and encourages the tuition of traditional country music instruments such as dobro, mandolin, lap steel, pedal steel and banjo, the Academy  recognises and encourages students to expand into areas of new country and crossover styles of music that will be attractive to new and expanding audience bases.

The Academy is unique. No other program of this nature exists for the music industry in Australia, or in fact worldwide.

The Academy utilises the skills and resources of leading mentors, songwriters, musicians, producers and music business personnel.

The CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music is an on-campus, residential course held in Tamworth, NSW commencing 26th June, 2010 and concluding 10th July, 2010.

Position descriptions can be downloaded here:
Senior Tutors - College
Senior Tutors - Camerata

Expressions of Interest close Friday, 20th November, 2009.

Please note - deadline extended to Friday, 20th November, 2009

Tamworth based business, Australian Training and Consulting (ATAC) has demonstrated its commitment to education and training through generously supporting the newly formed CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music with a pledge of sponsorship for three years.

The generosity (valued at a total of $30,000 over the three years) will assist the education program to deliver proven results and evolve for the benefit of the industry.

The support, whilst greatly needed, was provided without request. During the 2009 Hats Off to Country Festival, Camerata co-founder Joan Douglas and country music performer and CMAA Board Member, Jim Haynes were invited guest speakers at the July Tamworth First Light Rotary meeting. The two representatives informed the gathered group about the program and how the correct education and support coupled with training and guidance can equip aspiring artists with the right tools and information to forge careers within the industry.

“I’m just one of those people who once I get started I can’t stop. I’m enthusiastic about the young talent that this country boasts. I’ve seen some students come in with this raw talent but no clue and leave with confidence, business skills and a greater understanding of who and where they want to be as artists. The program is a reality check, but also provides a forum and platform for them tailored to country music that is not presented anywhere else in the world”, said Mrs Douglas.

It was this same enthusiasm that captured the attention of ATAC’s Principal, Mr Tim Coates. Upon hearing the history, future plans and struggles faced during the morning presentation, Mr Coates approached Mrs Douglas with an offer of support.

As a successful businessman, Mr Coates works daily on providing programs and opportunities to assist the local community increase their skills and education through his business ATAC.

“There is nowhere else in the country, possibly the world that could deliver what is done through the Australian Academy of Country Music locally. The program services students from across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea; it is truly a great showcase of what our city and what the industry can deliver. I congratulate Joan Douglas and her team for what they have created, ATAC is proud to join with them and assist with their growth. We hope other businesses will also recognise this program and demonstrate their support”, said Mr Coates.

The CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music reinforces the city as the hub of country music Australia outside of the January Festival. The Australian Academy of Country Music is the result of the announced merge of the Tamworth Camerata and the CMAA Australian College of Country Music. The two programs, whilst tailoring their education to differing age groups both work to nurture, mentor and educate the future of the industry. The inaugural Academy of Country Music will be delivered in 2010.

Some of the past students of the Tamworth Camerata and CMAA Australian College of Country Music include Aaron Bolton, Aleyce Simmonds, The Sunny Cowgirls, Sara Storer and Lou Bradley to name but a few.

The Nomination Booklet is now available for download and the actual nomination process itself has undergone a major overhaul.

The majority of Awards categories are now submitted online via MP3 upload; a fast and easy method of being a part of the most coveted Country Music awards in Australia. Video clips are able to be uploaded as YouTube URLs, and this has proven to be a very simple and cost effective approach to entering the Video Clip of the Year. Most Country artists already have their clips on YouTube for viewing by the general public and utilising this is a natural progression fitting in very nicely with the online nomination entry process.

The Country Music Association of Australia has been working hand in hand with BigPulse to develop the new platform specifics and the facility has proven to be very user-friendly, backed up by high security and a dedicated team. CMAA Members will already be familiar with BigPulse as the site has been used by the association for the past number of years for CMAA led surveys and questionnaires along with Board and Awards voting.

The only voted category that is not entered online is Album of the Year. This will still be judged by the physical product so that all aspects of the presentation can be given true consideration - artwork, sound quality, song choices etc - the whole package.

Nominations are now being accepted and will close at 5pm sharp on Tuesday, 15th September. The new process means that late entries will not be accepted - once the site closes that's it.

Click below for

Nomination Booklet  :  Further info

APRA have shown their continuing commitment to the CMAA Australian College of Country Music by way of an APRA Music Grant for the 2010 intake.

APRA, a longtime supporter of the CMAA, provides the grant to assist College in delivering focussed education to tomorrow's professional singers, songwriters and musicians - the music creators.

2010 will see the first staging of College under the CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music banner and the move from the traditional January timing to a mid year event. Joining the College under the Academy umbrella will be the Camerata School of Country Music. Click here to read more about the Academy.