England, UK (ECMA) - British country star Lucie Diamond swept the board at the annual European CMA Country
Music Awards with three major wins - including Female Vocalist of the Year & European Country Artist of the Year.
Up against fierce competition, including superstars Dolly Parton, Faith Hill and Gretchen Wilson, Lucie - the sole British artist to take home a gong - won more awards than any other artist. She won: "Female Vocalist of the Year," "European Country Artist of the Year," and "ECMA Future Star" award.
Singer-songwriter Lucie scooped 3 of her 4 nominations, narrowly missing out on a 4th - "Vocal Collaboration of the Year" - to Dolly Parton and Roy Rivers. Lucie was nominated for her duet with Arly Karlsen, which was a number one smash hit in 9 countries.
The awards were announced at a country festival and ceremony in Spain on Saturday, but Lucie was unable to attend due to a radio recording session in the UK. So she first heard the good news this Monday afternoon when the ECMA officially announced the winners to the nominees.
ECMA members - music industry professionals, including radio DJs, artists, promoters and agents - voted on most of the awards. The ECMA executive, chaired by Rafel Corbi, awarded the "Future Star" award.
"I am absolutely stunned. I actually burst into tears when I read the email from the ECMA today, and saw my name on Female Vocalist of the Year. I adore Dolly and Faith Hill, and it is just unreal that I beat them for that award. But to win three out of 4 awards is just surreal.'
"All I can say is, I am so grateful to everyone who voted for me, to Rafel Corbi and his team at the ECMA, the radio DJs who play my records, and everyone who likes my music. It is such an honour to be among such fantastic company as Dolly, Faith, Gretchen Wilson and all of the other artists who were nominated. I think they are all winners for being nominated," said Lucie.
Lucie's manager and record producer Simon Redley, added: "Wow. It is the first time I have been speechless for a very long time! It has been quite a year or so, with 4 hit singles worldwide and some great shows in Denmark, Norway, Berlin, London and Nashville. Now the industry has officially recognized Lucie for her unique vocal talent, sheer hard work and the potential to become the biggest country star the UK has ever produced. It is really well deserved, and all of us at Kudos Music UK are so proud of her."
