NASHVILLE, TN (CMA) - You can experience the world of Country Music, including artists from around the world, during CMA
Music Festival Week in June in Downtown Nashville.
"The Country Music Association is not only committed to spreading Country Music around the globe, but also encouraging the development of Country Music artists from other nations," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "Sherrie Austin, Paul Brandt, Catherine Britt, Kasey Chambers, Terri Clark, Jedd Hughes, Michelle Wright, former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Olivia Newton-John, and our reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban, are just some of the many Country Music artists who were born and raised outside the U.S., yet have created their own unique mark on our musical format."
CMA will honor Canadian Country artist Jason McCoy as the recipient of the 2006 Global Country Artist Award. The Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist who has both furthered Country Music's popularity and brought attention to the format in their foreign-based territory. McCoy will accept his trophy Sunday, June 11, during 2006 CMA Music Festival when he performs on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park.
"I'm honored to be nominated with such world class talent, and truly humbled to have won this distinction," said McCoy. "I'm very proud to be a Canadian, and proud to make my living as a Country artist. Country Music belongs to the people, whichever country they live in. Thank you to everyone who voted, and to all the fans who support my music all over the world."
McCoy broke into Canada's Country Music scene while still in his teens, releasing his self-titled debut album in 1995 to wide acclaim and laying a foundation for one of Canada's most successful Country Music careers. His song "Born Again in Dixieland" won the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers (SOCAN) Song of the Year in 1998 (an award he would receive again in 2001 for "Ten Million Teardrops"). After being named the 2004 Canadian Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year, McCoy released his first Greatest Hits album and received a SOCAN Award for his single "Still" (which he co-wrote with George Ducas). He also conceived, formed and fronted a five-piece band, The Road Hammers. The group released a self-titled album in 2005; performed a successful 31-date Canadian tour; filmed a documentary television series which aired on CMT Canada and received a Canadian Country Music Association Award for the 2005 Country Music Program or Special of the Year; and won the 2005 Canadian Country Music Association Award for Group of the Year. McCoy (along with Scott Baggett) also received the Association's Award for Record Producer of the Year for co-producing The Road Hammers' album.
"Jason McCoy is one of today's most successful Canadian Country Music artists," said Genovese. "His creativity as a solo artist, group performer, songwriter and producer seems limitless. CMA is proud to award him the 2006 Global Artist Award."
Candidates for the CMA Global Country Artist Award are chosen from artists nominated by CMA's international membership. CMA's Board of Directors approves the winner. Previous recipients are Paul Brandt of Canada (2005); Australians Kasey Chambers and, posthumously, Slim Dusty (2004); and Lee Kernaghan of Australia (2003).
CMA's commitment to Country Music on an international scale continues in 2006, with the return for a third year of the CMA Global Party. Featuring the best in Country Music entertainment from around the world, the event, which serves as the unofficial kick off to CMA Music Festival, will be held at The Stage on Broadway, Monday, June 5. Doors will open at 6:00 PM. Admission is free, but special preference is given to those with a CMA Music Festival laminate and/or a special Global Artist Party laminate. In each of the event's first two years, the club has been packed with fans, with a line extending a city block outside the door waiting to enter.
"In addition to being a wonderful spotlight for international Country Music artists, the Global Artist Party has proven to be a popular way to kickoff a busy week of music and activities surrounding CMA Music Festival," said Genovese. "I want to thank Jeff Walker, Chairman of the CMA Global Markets Committee, for leading the charge of involving the best of the world's Country Music artists in CMA Music Festival."
"For three years now, CMA has been able to reach out to top talent from territories all across the world and invite them to fulfill one of their dreams and perform in Nashville," said event organizer Walker, who also serves on the CMA Board of Directors. "This exchange builds a foundation for an international Country Music community creating opportunities for our format across the globe."
Sony Nashville recording artist Jace Everett, who toured Europe extensively earlier in his career, will serve as the Party host. Everett recently performed along with Dierks Bentley as part of CMA's "New From Nashville" tour in Dublin, Ireland; London, England; and Glasgow, Scotland. Everett's self-titled debut album containing the single "Bad Things" will be in stores March 7.
"After performing for the CMA 'New from Nashville' in the UK this January, my eyes were really opened to the global appeal of Country Music," said Everett.
"The Third Annual Global Artist Party during CMA Music Festival this year is going to be another great opportunity for the rest of the world to show us Americans their own brand of Honky Tonkin'. I'm really looking forward to hearing some great music."
Six internationally known Country Music artists representing five countries are currently scheduled, presenting an electrifying show guaranteed to please the format's most ardent fans. Each artist performing has garnered a following in their respective territory. This is a unique opportunity for the public to see and hear so many acclaimed international performers including:
Brad Johner (Canada) - released his sophomore solo album Summertown Road last year, spawning two Top 10 hits. His 2003 debut solo album Free was named the Outstanding Country Music Album by the 2003 Western Canadian Music Awards, and was nominated for both a 2003 Canadian Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year and a 2004 Juno Award for Country Album of the Year. Johner also received a 2004 Canadian Independent Music Award for Favorite Country Artist/Group. Before going solo, he recorded four hit albums with his brother Ken as the Johner Brothers.
Nick Kingswell (Australia) - burst onto the Australian Country Music scene by winning the 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth. The competition delivers a huge package of prizes to the winner including the opportunity to perform in Nashville during CMA Music Festival on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park. The 19-year old Kingswell has been performing in bands and on his own for more than eight years.
Jake Nickolai (Australia) - won a Commercial Radio Australia sponsorship trip to perform at the Global Artist Party. The 21-year old singer/songwriter released his debut EP, Think About You, in March 2005, the title cut of which reached No. 1 on the Country Music Channel chart. Nickolai was a finalist at the 2005 New Artists 2 Radio showcase, and received a 2004 Golden Guitar nomination. He was also a 2003 finalist at the Toyota Star Maker Quest; a 2002 finalist for Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year; the 2001 South Australian Champion of Champions; and the 2000 Victorian Champion of Champions.
Jacqueline Van Der Griend (The Netherlands) - excels as both a solo performer and as the lead singer, guitarist and mandolin player for Cash on Delivery (C.O.D.), one of today's most popular Dutch Country Music bands. She has built a strong fan following not only in The Netherlands, but in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. In April 2005, she received the Gram Award for Female Singer of the Year, which was presented by Country Gazette and the Dutch Country Music Association.
Tantowi Yahya (Indonesia) - is a multi-faceted entertainer, television personality and businessman. Yahya is the host of both the Indonesian television version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and the weekly series "Goin' Country" on Indonesian TV; CEO of the Country Music Club of Indonesia; Chairman of the Indonesian-American Friendship Association; Chairman and Host of the first Miss Asian Pageant organizing committee; and Director of the Indonesian Recording Industry Association. He has been certified for one Gold and two Double Platinum albums in his native country. Yahya was twice voted Favorite Television Quiz Show Host for the Panasonic Awards and was also named the Best Ballad and Country Singer and Best Traditional Album Singer for the AMI Sharp and Samsung awards.
The sixth confirmed international performer will be the winner of the "Search for a Country Star" competition in Ireland. The competition is still in process and the winner will be named on March 17. As part of their prize package, the Irish winner will also perform at CMA Music Festival on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park.
Tickets for 2006 CMA Music Festival "Country Music's Biggest PartyT," Thursday through Sunday, June 8-11, in Downtown Nashville, are available now with proceeds benefiting charities selected by the artists. To order tickets for the 2006 CMA Music Festival call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600.
Artists already announced as participating in 2006 CMA Music Festival include Trace Adkins, Jessica Andrews, Steve Azar, The Bellamy Brothers, Lane Brody, Brooks & Dunn, Sonny Burgess, Terri Clark, Billy Currington, Linda Davis, Emerson Drive, Jace Everett, Sara Evans, The Fox Brothers, Andy Griggs, Susan Haynes, Hot Apple Pie, Con Hunley, Buddy Jewell, Miranda Lambert, Brice Long, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Danielle Peck, LeAnn Rimes, Ray Scott, Blake Shelton, Keni Thomas, Carrie Underwood, Mark Wills, Trent Willmon, Darryl Worley, Chely Wright and Michelle Wright, with more to be announced soon. Artists are subject to change.
For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artists appearing and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for e-news or purchase official CMA Music Festival merchandise.
Once again in 2006, CMA Music Festival will be filmed for a two-hour, ABC Network Television special that will air later this summer. The special is produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson.
2006 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Promotional partners include Crisco, Greased Lightning and Wrangler. Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA.
