Sydney news

Winners of the 36th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, hosted by Logie Award winner Georgie Parker, were announced in front of a packed Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre (TRECC) last night.

This year’s biggest winners were the powerhouse trio of Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand and Steve Forde for their hit single, Spirit of the Bush. The charitable collaboration of these three country superstars saw them share three of tonight’s Golden Guitar trophies, including the prizes for Single of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year, as well as Video Clip of the Year. All profits from the single’s release continue to go to the drought relief organisation, Aussie Helpers.

The trio’s trio of wins brings Lee Kernaghan’s personal career tally of Golden Guitars to an extraordinary 27! Meanwhile, Adam Brand was named CMC Oz Artist of the Year for a second year running.

But the superstar trio weren’t the only multi-award winners. Sara Storer, who came into this year’s ceremony with a collection of 9 Country Music Awards already to her credit, added another two trophies to her mantle. Her song Land Cries Out was named both Heritage Song of the Year, as well as APRA Song of the Year.

This year’s prestigious Album of the Year Award went to Australian country’s favourite baritone, Adam Harvey for latest CD, I’m Doin’ Alright, which was produced by tonight’s musical director, Rod McCormack.

Also adding another Award to his already heavy mantle was Troy Cassar-Daley who was crowned Male Artist of the Year for Everything’s Going To Be Alright, which Cassar-Daley co-wrote with the legendary Don Walker. 

2004 New Talent Golden Guitar winner, Dianna Corcoran, was tonight crowned Australia’s new queen of country when she accepted the Female Artist of the Year Award for her sophomore album, Then There’s Me.

Other big winners tonight included The McClymonts, who took out the Group or Duo of the Year Award for the second year in a row, Newcastle’s 19-year-old Kirsty Lee Akers, who was named Maton New Talent of the Year, Kempsey’s own Steve Passfield who took out this year’s Instrumental of the Year Award and Amos Morris took home the Award for Bush Ballad of the Year.

This wonderful night of music and celebration included a show-stopping duet performance between Gina Jeffreys and Guy Sebastian, Troy Cassar-Daley’s spine tingling performance with the Capital Country Music Association Choir and the all star Spirit of the Bush closing number.

www.country.com.au


36th CMAA COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS OF AUSTRALIA - FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Album of the Year
Adam Harvey - I’m Doin’ Alright
Produced by Rod McCormack
SonyBMG

Male Artist of the Year
Troy Cassar-Daley - Everything’s Going To Be Alright
EMI Music Australia

Female Artist of the Year
Dianna Corcoran - Then There’s Me
Compass Bros Records

Group or Duo of the Year
The McClymonts - Save Yourself
Universal Music Australia

Vocal Collaboration of the Year
Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde - Spirit Of the Bush
ABC Music

Bush Ballad of the Year
Amos Morris - Sign Of The Times
Written by Ian Quinn
Nulla Records

Heritage Song of the Year
Sara Storer - Land Cries Out
Written by Sara Storer
EMI Music Australia

Instrumental of the Year
Steve Passfield - Stump Jumpin’
Independent

Maton New Talent of the Year
Kirsty Lee Akers - Little Things
Compass Bros Records

Video Clip of the Year
Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde - Spirit Of The Bush
Directed by Ross Wood
ABC Music

Single of the Year
Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde - Spirit Of The Bush
ABC Music

APRA Song of the Year
Land Cries Out - Written by Sara Storer
ABC Music Publishing

CMC Oz Artist of the Year
Adam Brand