MICHAEL CHUGG PRESENTED WITH CMA JO WALKER-MEADOR INTERNATIONAL AWARD AT 2010 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

NASHVILLE - During a press conference at 2010 CMA Music Festival last Thursday (June 10), Australian concert promoter Michael Chugg of Chugg Entertainment was given the Jo Walker-Meador International Award. The Award was presented by CMA Board Chairman Steve Moore, with CMA Board members Jeff Walker, President of AristoMedia/Marco Promotions, and Rob Potts, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, in attendance.

"To receive such a wonderful award from CMA during their Festival week in Nashville was a great honor, and will take pride of place in my office in Sydney," said Chugg. "To be able to play a part in spreading music to the world is very special, and I thank the Board of the CMA on behalf of all the Australian Country Music fans."

The Jo Walker-Meador International Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting Country Music's marketing development in territories outside the United States.

Chugg is one of the most experienced and respected concert promoters in Australia, with a career spanning more than 45 years. He received the CMA International Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year Award in 2006, has won every major music and entertainment award possible in Australia, and currently serves on the CMA Australian Advisory Group. Chugg has been involved with establishing Australia as a strong live touring market for international artists, and has promoted or co-promoted tours with Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban among others. Chugg Entertainment will co-promote a Tim McGraw tour with Entertainment Edge later this year.

TOMMY EMMANUEL AWARDED MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

He’s one of Australia’s most loved musical exports, and now the man Eric Clapton called “the best guitar player I’ve ever seen”, has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia medal. This is a tremendous honour for Tommy, who still calls Australia home despite being based in Nashville, with an endless touring schedule that sees him regularly circumnavigate the globe.

“This is such a thrill for me”’ said Tommy. “It means so much to me to know my homeland has awarded me such a prestigious award. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Previous recipients of the Member of the Order of Australia include fellow musicians Peter Garrett, Rolf Harris, Col Joye and Angry Anderson. Tommy can now add the letters AM to his name, after CGP (Certified Guitar Player) - which was bestowed upon him by the late Chet Atkins.

The AM award was established "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service".

An unofficial Ambassador for Australia and fiercely proud of his birthright, Emmanuel spends most of his time on the road, spreading his message of love and harmony through “the universal language of the guitar.” Over the course of a year, he will play everywhere from USA to Russia, UK to Japan and China to New Zealand. Many of his original compositions meld the influence of American fingerpickers like Chet Atkins and Merle Travis with traditional indigenous music from Oz.

Tommy is planning to tour Australia again later this year.

www.tommyemmanuel.com
www.entertainmentedge.com.au

Media Enquiries:

Kerry Roberts - (02) 9712.8445

kerryroberts@therobertsnetwoork.com.au