US country hitmaker Phil Vassar and renowned American singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith, along with local favourites Steve Forde and Tania Kernaghan, complete the massive lineup for the 2010 CMC Rocks The Snowys Festival to be held on March 5 and 6 at Friday Flatts in Tredbo.

Renowned for the raucous energy of his live shows, Phil Vassar has been writing hits for himself and others for over a decade. Country music’s "Piano Man" has scored big with songs like 'Bye-Bye' and 'I’m Alright' (both massive hits for Jo Dee Messina) and 'Just Another Day In Paradise'. The rowdy spirit of his life-affirming anthems translates to his concert performances, and he’ll be making his first trip down under for a one-off performance.

Steve Forde is a Snowys crowd favourite, a mainstay of the festival, and one of Australia’s best loved live performers. He’s an artist who’s blazed his own trail through country music over almost a decade of recording and performing. A former rodeo rider who channels the same energy and spirit into his music, Steve has built a fiercely loyal fanbase through years crossing the length and breadth of Australia. His rockin’ live shows are legendary among Aussie country fans and he will return to rock the Snowys in 2010. Forde's lastest album, Guns & Guitars was one of the highest selling local country albums of 2008/09.

Grammy-winner Nanci Griffith has found success across rock, folk and country, and earning the respect and admiration of collaborators like Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson. The singer-songwriter has penned enduring songs including 'Love at the Five and Dime' and 'Outbound Plane' in a career spanning over 30 years. Never afraid to tackle difficult topics head on in her songs, her performance is always full of passion and deep honesty.

Tania Kernaghan is part of one of Australian country’s most famous families. Daughter of Ray and brother of Lee, Tania grew up with a passion for country music and a love of live performance that has taken to the top of the country scene. From the release of her first (platinum-selling) album December Moon in 1996, Kernaghan has remained one of country music’s premiere female artists.

All up the final line up includes; Phil Vassar, Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, Guy Sebastian, Jack Ingram, Nanci Griffith, Doc Walker, Adam Harvey, Steve Forde, Richard Clapton, Tania Kernaghan, Sinead Burgess, Peter McWhirter, Dan Sultan, Mike Carr, Kirsty Lee Akers, Paul Greene, The Wilsons Pickers, Jetty Road, Amber Lawrence, Mark Wells, Victoria Baillie, The Harrisons and Busby Marou.

Adam Harvey's upcoming duets album titled Both Sides Now features some of Australian music's biggest names.

They include Guy Sebastian, Wendy Matthews, David Campbell, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, John Williamson, Shannon Noll and The McClymonts to name just a few.

It's released on October 9 through Sony Music Australia.   

The organisers of CMC Rocks The Snowys, being held at Friday Flat, Thredbo on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 March 2010, have announced the first round of appearing artists.

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)