The Country Music Association of Australia has requested the assistance of former police prosecutor, Ian Burkinshaw to undertake an independent investigation into the 39th Country Music Awards of Australia.

With some 34 years experience as a police prosecutor, coupled with his membership of the Tamworth Regional Council’s Ethics Committee, Ian is well qualified and highly regarded, enjoying the respect of the Tamworth community.

Mr Burkinshaw will specifically investigate the incorrect announcement of Lee Kernaghan’s Planet Country as Album of the Year in place of Graeme Connors’ Still Walking.

Country Music Association of Australia Chairman, Rod Laing said, “The Board and I are incredibly embarrassed at this error and wish to formally apologise to Graeme Connors, Matt Fell, Lee Kernaghan and Garth Porter and thank them for the graciousness displayed by each of them as a result of this unfortunate incident.”

“It is our intention to ensure that a completely independent party is able to identify how the error occurred and to provide advice to assist us in ensuring it never happens again,” he continued.

“Mr Burkinshaw is familiar with inquiries of this nature and I have no doubt he will carry out a thorough and ethical investigation,” said Mr Laing.

Following Mr Burkinshaw’s investigation, the findings on how the error took place will be reported to the Board of the CMAA and other stakeholders.

In addition, the CMAA will undertake a review of all aspects of the Awards.

“The review is a precautionary step to ensure that all other aspects of the Awards were carried out to the highest professional standard expected by the Board, sponsors, stakeholders, artists and fans of country music,” stated Mr Laing.

Source: Country Music Association of Australia

The Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) has announced that in June 2010 the Australian College of Country Music and the Camerata School of Country Music will join forces and deliver their senior and junior development programs simultaneously This new entity will be branded the 'CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music'

The move comes after detailed plans and discussions between both groups during the past 4 months. The result will see the Australian College of Country Music, which for the past 13 years has taken place in the lead up to the annual Country Music Festival, move to the mid-year time slot. Camerata has traditionally taken place in the June/July school holidays.

Director of Camerata, Joan Douglas, said, "The joining together of the two schools was a simple form of natural progression. Both Camerata and College utilise many of the same industry specialists for master-classes and tuition so by having them operate together we will be able forge ahead and create a new and exciting focus on developing professional Australian country music for all age groups".

President of the CMAA, John Williamson OAM said, "This amalgamation will strengthen our industry. The continued progress that we have made over the past thirty years will surely be pushed further by our young talent coming through the CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music. This can only be good for our unique Australian identity.'

General Manager of the CMAA, Cheryl Hayes said, “The combining of Camerata and College was a decision that was reached after a great level of input and discussion. The newly formed CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music will bring together the very best in talent development specific to the country music genre unrivalled anywhere in the world.

Source: Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA)

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)