News

The Country Music Association of Australia is saddened and shocked by the passing this week of one of our most beloved sons, Glen Hannah.
 
Glen was truly one-of-a-kind. Not only was he a gifted multi-instrumentalist, he was an exceptional artist in every sense of the word: with incredible talents as a photographer, graphic artist and producer.  Most of all he was a devoted husband and father and a friend and inspiration to so many.
 
Growing up in Collinsville, Queensland, Glen’s country music education began at an early age when he started learning to play the songs of Slim Dusty on guitar.  After moving to Sydney, Glen quickly became an in-demand session musician and his distinctive guitar playing has since featured on hundreds of recording sessions and live gigs.  Glen’s recent music projects included his work as guitarist for the legendary Don Walker as well as handling production and guitar for multi-award winners Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart, revered super-group The Faceless Men and the new album by his wife, Felicity Urquhart.
 
Glen was an integral part of the Golden Guitar Awards band for many years and was awarded ‘Musician of the Year’ at the 2017 Golden Guitar Awards.
 
On behalf of the Australian country music industry, the Country Music Association of Australia send their deepest condolences and love to Felicity, their daughters Tia and Ellie, and their family and friends.
 
For those that we know are grieving for Glen and feel like they would like to reach out and talk to someone we would like to share with you some information about Support Act.
 
Support Act has a Wellbeing Helpline which is a free, confidential counselling service that is available to anyone working in Australian music who needs to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing.
 
It is delivered in partnership with Access EAP and is staffed by professional counsellors.
 
The service is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days per year by calling 1800 959 500 within Australia. You can also email via www.supportact.org.au and a counsellor will call you back. Skype sessions are available if you are touring overseas.
 
We have received many enquiries about how people can assist at this tough time and if you are interested, you may wish to consider contributing to the Support Act fund here: https://supportact.org.au/glen-hannah-appeal/

APRA AMCOS Song of the Year AU/NZ Songwriter Vote Result:

In 2018, the Country Music Association of Australia recognised that an increasing number of our artist and songwriter members are collaborating with international songwriters, and we made an amendment to the rules for the APRA/AMCOS Song of the Year in the 2019 Golden Guitar Award to reflect this.

The CMAA board and members passed the resolution at the AGM in Tamworth to put the issue to a vote.

Polling ran from March 8 to April 6 and the vote concluded with 73 per cent of voters calling for a minimum requirement of 50 per cent contribution by Australia/New Zealand songwriters, and 27 per cent calling for a minimum of 33 per cent. All Australian/New Zealand songwriter/s must also be a professional member of the CMAA, and the Golden Guitar trophies will only be presented to the Australian/New Zealand co-writer/s.
 

Board Appointments:

In more good news, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Peter Simpson and Tim Holland onto the board as appointed board members for 12 months. Both have decades of experience in the country music industry and we are all enjoying working with them in their new roles.
 

Update your profile and renew your membership on the CMAA Website:

Professional members can now update your contact details, check your membership renewal date, add a photo and biography, list your skills and much more on the CMAA’s new website. Log into your profile on our website HERE using your email address and the password that you have used in the past.  If you haven't logged in before, simply select "Forgot Password" to create your new password. Don't forget you can also renew your membership as well as add your upcoming gigs in our Gig Guide too!  Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.
 

The Academy Junior Course:

One of our most important roles in the industry is to nurture up-and-coming talent and applications close at the end of May for The Academy Junior Course. If you are a mentor or teacher of a singer-songwriter and/or musician aged 17 years old and under, and they want to learn more about making a career out of music, please apply now: http://academycountrymusic.com.au/apply/
 

Country Music Census

Finally, thank you to the thousands who completed the fan survey for the Country Music Census. Dobe Newton is busily compiling all the data and writing the report. The winner of the Cruisin' Country prize has been chosen and we'll announce them shortly.

The 2019 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards celebrated a remarkable year for the Australian country music industry, with a line-up of standout performances by this year’s nominated artists at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) on Saturday 26 January 2019.

The Wolfe Brothers were the big winners of the night. Taking home four awards from their five nominations, Nick and Tom Wolfe, together with Brodie Rainbird collected the coveted TOYOTA ALBUM OF THE YEAR award for their highly acclaimed fourth studio album, Country Heart, along with CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR, COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR and APRA AMCOS SONG OF THE YEAR for Ain’t Seen It Yet, co-written by the band with Erik Dylan.

The Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) compilation returns for another year, showcasing finalists from the 47^th annual Country Music Awards (the Golden Guitars); the very best of Australian country music.

The album is available now from: https://lnk.to/Winners2019

Out now through Universal Music Australia, the ‘CMAA: Winners 2019’ compilation contains 32 songs across a double album set. Featured artists include Morgan Evans, The Wolfe Brothers, Kasey Chambers & The Fireside Disciples feat. Alan Pigram, Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont, Travis Collins, Missy Lancaster, Fanny Lumsden and much more, representing a broad stylistic range.

Tamworth Regional Council and the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) today announced the nominees for the 2019 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, and officially launched the 47^th Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth.

Held at ABC’s Sydney studios, the high calibre event hosted some of the biggest names in Australian music to celebrate the success of the country music industry and Australia’s largest music festival.

The CMAA and ARIA present the first ever ARIA Week Country Showcase to be held in the lead up to the ARIA Awards on November 28. The event will feature 2018 ARIA award nominees Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont, Fanny Lumsden, The Wolfe Brothers & Travis Collins sharing songs & stories in a writers round showcase. 

2018 has been a landmark year for country music in Australia with airplay & media support stronger than ever, streaming numbers growing, sold-out festivals and tours and more Australian artists & writers succeeding on an international level than ever before.

Check out these great artists & more on the A-List: Country on Apple Music.

The Toyota Golden Guitars Awards are at the heart of it all - at the heart of the journey for both artists and fans alike. The awards night gives fans the opportunity to rub shoulders with the biggest names in country music and see all of their favourite artists perform in one huge show.

We need your help ! It’s been 20 years since our industry compiled comprehensive statistics on the size and economic and cultural significance of the music we love...