Monday, March 25, 2013

Morgan Evans is the CMC New Oz Artist of the Year

This evening, Country Music Channel (CMC) announced the winners in the CMC Music Awards 2013 at a special event held at The Great Cask Hall, Hope Estate Winery in the Hunter Valley, to launch the annual roots and country music festival, CMC Rocks the Hunter.

The CMC Music Awards celebrate country music in Australia and allow fans to the opportunity to vote for their favourite artists in five categories, as well as honouring one artist with the CMC Lifetime Achievement Award. This was the biggest year of voting in the history of the Awards.

Rising star, Morgan Evans, was awarded CMC New Oz Artist of the Year. Already he has racked up more career milestones than many performers manage in a lifetime – including award nominations, a number one single and number one video, as well as touring performances with Taylor Swift, Brooks & Dunn, Thirsty Merc, Shannon Noll and more. Morgan is set to perform at CMC Rocks the Hunter 2013 tomorrow as well.
 
Since joining forces six years ago, The McClymonts, sisters Brooke, Sam and Mollie, have taken the country music world by storm and tonight they were crowned CMC Oz Artist of the Year – Australia’s favourite country artist. With their exquisite three-part harmonies, soaring vocals and stunning onstage presence, it’s not surprising that the trio has become the hottest recording and touring act in Australian country music.

Country music king, Keith Urban, won two Awards, with CMC viewers voting him CMC International Artist of the Year and his music video for the Golden Globe-nominated song, For You, the CMC International Video of the Year. While the immensley popular duo, McAlister Kemp, were awarded CMC Australian Video of the Year for the title track to their sophomore album, Country Proud. They take to the main stage at CMC Rocks the Hunter 2013 tomorrow night.

In the final award of the night, icons of Australian country music, The LeGarde Twins were honoured with the CMC Lifetime Achievement Award. This Award recognises artists who have had an impact on Australian country music beyond their own careers. In 2013, CMC pays tribute to the road paved by Tom and Ted LeGarde who were the first Australian country music exports to the US.

With a career spanning seven decades, The LeGarde Twins were Australia’s youngest professional riders in rodeos before being signed to the fledging Rodeo label in 1950. They toured the country, releasing a number of singles over the years before leaving for North America in 1957 where they hosted their own TV series in Hollywood before settling in Nashville. Their career has seen them tour Australia, the US and the UK, release numerous albums, be inducted into the The Country Music Hands Of Fame in Tamworth and host a variety of TV shows. In January 2011, The LeGarde Twins’ previously unaired Country Style program, which was filmed in 1964 in Sydney, had its world TV premiere on CMC.

Celebrating their 83rd birthday today and in Australia to perform at the festival, Tom and Ted were elated at receiving the award and being back in their homeland saying, “How wonderful it is to be back to the land of the Southern Cross after 21 years. The land and people we love the most. We’re here to rock at CMC Rocks The Hunter. Let’s make it one big party. We’re ready. Join us.”
The brothers the closed the show with a very special performance.

Hosted by O’Shea, guests included artists Chris Young (USA), Stephen Barker Liles (Love & Theft), McAlister Kemp, Morgan Evans and Peter McWhirter. The event also included performances by Baylou and Adam Brand and Jasmine Rae.

The CMC Music Awards have struck a chord with viewers as it gives country music fans nationwide the opportunity to vote for the Australian country artists they think deserve to be crowned this country’s favourite. The 2013 were staged in conjunction with the sixth annual CMC Rocks the Hunter roots and country music festival, taking place this weekend from today to Sunday March 17.

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