Australians Honoured In CMA International Awards

The Country Music Association (CMA) has shared its nominees for the CMA International Awards, with a handful of Aussies and one artist from New Zealand receiving nods for their hard work.

Canada’s Tebey and, delightfully, Australia’s Casey Barnes and New Zealand’s Kaylee Bell are nominated for the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist award. Natalie Waller is up for the Jo Walker Meador Award – recognition of “an individual advocating and supporting Country Music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States” from ABC Music in Australia.

Other Australian industry figures have received shout-outs and received a nomination at this year’s CMA International Awards, including Frontier Touring’s Susan Heymann (nominated for the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award) and KIX Country’s Justin Thomson (for the International Country Broadcaster Award).

Sarah Trahern, the Chief Executive Officer of the Country Music Association, said in a statement, “As we continue to see Country Music grow globally, it is thanks in large part to those who have supported our mission and spearheaded events, initiatives and programming to reach new territories around the world.

“The dedication from each of these nominees has made them a vital part of the success of our genre internationally, and we cannot wait to celebrate them in the coming months.”

Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development, added, “We cannot thank our international award nominees enough for their passion and efforts in expanding our international markets.

“As we look across the international landscape, it is evident that Country Music has more opportunity than ever to continue expanding across the globe. These international nominees are leading the charge in making that happen. We are grateful for their knowledge and commitment to representing our genre as well as their unwavering passion and commitment to expanding our international markets.” 

Voting for the CMA International Awards is now open, with the window to vote closing on Thursday, 28 September.

“First it was Stagecoach now it’s finding out I’ve been nominated for my very first CMA Award for Global Artist of The Year,” Barnes wrote on social media after the nominees for the CMA International Awards were announced.

“This week honestly couldn’t get much better. A huge thanks to the CMA Country Music Association, my entire team and to YOU guys for helping this dream become a reality”.

Bell added in a separate statement, “Honoured to be nominated for the CMA Country Music Association ‘Global Country Artist’ International Award alongside Casey Barnes and Tebey who are shifting the dial for CM globally.

“So proud to be a part of the growth of Country Music happening in NZ and Australia, thanks to you guys for supporting a genre I care so much about!”

You can find out more about the CMA Awards via the website. The award ceremony takes place on Wednesday, 8 November, via ABC in the US.