Released this Friday October 21... Hit Country 2012 is the year’s ultimate Hit Country compilation release on CD and DVD. It features 22 of the year’s biggest country music hits from Australia and the world, plus a massive 28 music videos from your favourite country stars!

Included are recent chart topping hits from international superstars Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Dunn, Brad Paisley, Doc Walker, Miranda Lambert, Joe Nichols and Emerson Drive as well as hits from the cream of the crop locally, including Kasey Chambers, The McClymonts, Jasmine Rae, Catherine Britt, Steve Forde, Shane Nicholson and McAlister Kemp. Hits and music videos from Australia’s best emerging talent are also included.

CD - 1. Honey Bee – Blake Shelton 2. Bleed Red – Ronnie Dunn 3. Little Bird – Kasey Chambers 4. Hunky Country Boys – Jasmine Rae 5. Am I The Only One – Dierks Bentley 6. Old Alabama – Brad Paisley 7. Hard Work – McAlister Kemp 8. Sweet Emmylou – Catherine Britt 9. From A Table Away – Sunny Sweeny 10. Songs Like This – Carrie Underwood 11. The Shape I’m In – Joe Nichols 12. Bad Machines – Shane Nicholson 13. Coming Home – Doc Walker 14. Let Your Love Speak – Emerson Drive 15. Tomorrow – Chris Young 16. A Woman Is A Flame – The McClymonts 17. This – Darius Rucker 18. Trail In Life – Dean Brody 19. What He Did To Me – Shea Fisher 20. How Long – Steve Forde 21. Girls In The Summertime – Peter McWhirter 22. West Australian Woman – Corey Colum

DVD - 1. Honey Bee – Blake Shelton 2. Bleed Red – Ronnie Dunn 3. Little Bird – Kasey Chambers 4. Hunky Country Boys – Jasmine Rae 5. Am I The Only One – Dierks Bentley 6. Old Alabama – Brad Paisley 7. Hard Work – McAlister Kemp 8. Sweet Emmylou – Catherine Britt 9. From A Table Away – Sunny Sweeny 10. The Shape I’m In – Joe Nichols 11. Bad Machines – Shane Nicholson 12. Coming Home – Doc Walker 13. Let Your Love Speak – Emerson Drive 14. Tomorrow – Chris Young 15. A Woman Is A Flame – The McClymonts 16. Trail In Life – Dean Brody 17. How Long – Steve Forde 18. Is That So Wrong – Julianne Hough 19. Playing The Part – Jamey Johnson 20. If I Die Young – The Band Perry 21. In Spite Of Ourselves – Kirsty Akers w/ Bob Evans 22. A Perfect Night – Markus Meier 23. I Wasn’t Gonna Cry – Katrina Burgoyne 24. Jetty Road – Serves You Right 25. Walked In Leaving – Victoria Baillie 26. This - Darius Rucker 27. Girls In The Summertime – Peter McWhirter 28. West Australian Woman – Corey Colum

Catherine Britt has gone where she has never gone before.... she plays a crazy mental patient in her new music video 'I Want You Back'. It's the third single from her ARIA nominated self-tiled album.

'I Want You Back' was written by Britt and Bill Chambers.

“After talking about if for years I finally sat down with Bill Chambers to write. We were trying to write something we thought was cool for the record and this was the result. Bill’s a great song writer and I can’t believe it took me 10 years to finally sit down, all be it in his garage, and write with him.” says Britt.

Check out the music video for 'I Want You Back' right now! 

The Gympie Music Muster presents Spirit of the Country has been heralded a success with the major concert delivery on Sunday 20th March attracting 20,000 flood affected victims, SES workers and country music fans in Toowoomba.

With rains sporadically pouring down throughout the six hour event, performances continued with the biggest country music line-up ever presented all in the hope of raising spirits of those affected by the devastation that swept across Southern Queensland in January this year.

The concert was hosted by radio and television personality Ray Hadley and featured a collection of Australia's top country acts including Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley, Shane Nicholson, McAlister Kemp, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey and Catherine Britt. The final delivery was a spectacular fireworks display to signify the conclusion of the event.

Whilst not taking to the stage, a special appearance was made at the concert by Prince William as part of his scheduled tour to meet with victims of flood affected communities. Whilst at the concert, the Prince met with heavily impacted victims and SES workers spending time to personally chat with them. Prince William took the Toowoomba Showgrounds balcony to wave to the gathered crowd before being presented with an Akubra Hat by country music star Troy Cassar-Daley giving thanks for his visit.

The one off event that was free to attend was made possible only through the support of major organisations, companies, local business houses, artists and individuals who donated generously to ensure the uplifting concert could be staged.

"The Gympie Music Muster presents the Spirit of the Country concert was definitely a successful event. Whilst the weather presented some challenges and there were some traffic congestion issues we are thrilled with what we delivered and the response we received. An event like this would have cost in excess of $1.2million to present if we had not received such generous support. It is because of our sponsors, partners and kind donations received that this was achievable. Our sincere thanks to all who came on board and assisted", said Marius Els, one of event co-ordinators.

Catherine Britt's tribute to Emmylou Harris was one of her most talked about songs even before it became her latest single. 'Sweet Emmylou', originally a "hidden track" on the original release of Little WildFlower (2008), was recorded in the studio with producers Bill Chambers and Shane Nicholson for Britt's latest self-titled album.

“Sweet Emmylou was written in with my good friend Rory-Lee Feek. At the time I was heartbroken and when we sat down to write I told him I how I was feeling quite low and listening to old records like Emmylou’s to make me feel better because through her sad songs I felt like misery had company. In many respects the song wrote itself. It's a very special song to me and one of my favourite songs that I have ever written,” says Britt. 

Check out the new music video for 'Sweet Emmylou' below...

Britt was recently nominated for the Best Country Album at the 2010 ARIA Awards - her fourth in that category. In fact, all Catherine Britt’s studio albums have been nominated for an ARIA Award

The nominees for Australia's recording industry awards, the 2010 ARIA Awards have been announced. And the nominees for "Best Country Album" are;

Adam Harvey - Both Sides Now
Catherine Britt - Catherine Britt
Jason Walker - Ceiling Sun Letters
Lee Kernagahn - Planet Country
The McClymonts - Wrapped Up Good

The awards are held on Sunday November 7, however the country award winner will be announced in the week prior on a date to be advised. 

Catherine Britt's new self-titled album is now instores and online.

In 2009 Britt declared, “To make an album that I believe truly represents me as a artist, songwriter and individual means the world to me”. That mantra has resulted in a self-titled album, the Newcastle born and raised singer songwriter’s fourth, comprised of songs that are either written or co-written by Britt that fully resonates her declaration.

One listen will prove Catherine was right to follow her instincts. Recorded in Australia Catherine Britt may prove to be her best and most consistent album yet. It is certainly her most personal, diverse and mature.

Recorded towards the end of 2009 at Melbourne’s iconic Sing Sing Studio and produced by Shane Nicholson and Bill Chambers, it is an un-compromising, heartfelt album born of love, pain, loss and sorrow that is certainly her most personal, diverse and mature to date. With Catherine either writing or co-writing all fourteen tracks on the album it is a true songwriters album and stands its ground based on the songs written & subsequently recorded. As it should be. No duets needed. No special guests required.

“Catherine came along with the strongest bunch of songs any artist could want for a new album, which made our job easy. She was really inspired to make this record. It’s a brave album in many ways, and she was completely up for the challenge. I think she is one of the top female artists in the game, in any genre.” says co-producer Shane Nicholson.

The album's first single, the upbeat and delightful 'Can't Change A Thing' is at radio and CMC now.

Check out this interview recorded earlier this week on ABC Local Radio in Melbourne with Richard Stubbs.  

Catherine Britt releases her new self-titled album on May 28. Check out the new music video from the album's first single 'Can't Change A Thing'.

Three-time ARIA nominated singer/songwriter Catherine Britt is giving fans to opportunity to listen to her new single, 'Can't Change A Thing' before it goes to media.

Visit www.catherinebritt.com now to listen to the new track, the first single from her upcoming self-titled album.

Catherine Britt is set to release a new self-titled album on May 28, 2010. 

Recorded towards the end of 2009 at Melbourne’s iconic Sing Sing Studio and produced by Shane Nicholson and Bill Chambers, it is an un-compromising, heartfelt album born of love, pain, loss and sorrow that is certainly her most personal, diverse and mature to date. With Catherine either writing or co-writing all fourteen tracks on the album it is a true songwriters album and stands its ground based on the songs written & subsequently recorded. As it should be. No duets needed. No special guests required.

The 37th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, were held tonight in Tamworth. The awards were hosted by Troy Cassar-Daley and Felicity Urquhart.

Big winners on the night were husband and wife duo, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, taking home a total of 5 “Golden Guitar” trophies for their No. 1 Album Rattlin’ Bones.

The couple swept the Awards, winning in the categories of Album of the Year (co-produced by Shane Nicholson & Nash Chambers), APRA Song of the Year, Video Clip of the Year (directed by Helen Clemens), Single of the Year and Top Selling Album Of The Year.

Adam Brand was awarded Male Artist of the Year for the second time, bringing his total career tally to 12 Country Music Awards of Australia.

Being announced Female Artist of the Year capped off a successful year for Catherine Britt. Her album Little Wildflower has received critical acclaim and has scored her three No. 1 airplay singles. Catherine can now add her first Golden Guitar trophy to her mantle.

The McClymonts continued their reign taking out once again the Group or Duo of the Year title, 2009 marks the third consecutive year Brooke, Mollie and Sam have won this Award. They join Bullamakanka in taking out the Group/Duo title over three consecutive years.

The Gibson New Talent Award went to 2008 Toyota Star Maker winner, Talia Wittmann, for Reckless Side of Me.

Melinda Schneider and Paul Kelly won the Vocal Collaboration of the Year Award for Still Here and the Davidson Brothers, Lachlan and Hamish, took home the Fender Instrumental of the Year Award for Left Hand Drive.

For a full list of winners please see below.

Winners in the 2009 CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia

APRA Song of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones - written and recorded by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Vocal Collaboration of the Year
Still Here - Melinda Schneider & Paul Kelly

Bush Ballad of the Year
Australia Is Another Word For Free - written by John Williamson,
recorded by John Williamson, Warren H Williams & Amos Morris

Video Clip of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones - Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson,
directed by Helen Clemens

Single of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones - Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Fender Instrumental of the Year
Left Hand Drive - Davidson Brothers

Group or Duo of the Year
Finally Over Blue - The McClymonts

Heritage Song of the Year
Too Dark For The Light Horse - written by Darren Coggan & Ken McBeath,
recorded by Darren Coggan

Highest Selling Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones - Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Gibson New Talent of the Year
The Reckless Side Of Me - Talia Wittmann

Female Artist of the Year
Catherine Britt - What I Did Last Night

Male Artist of the Year
Get On Down The Road – Adam Brand

Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones - Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
Produced by Nash Chambers & Shane Nicholson

CMC Oz Artist of the Year
Adam Brand

Source: Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA)