CMC Music Awards Lock In 3-Year Queensland Deal

The CMC Music Awards will move from New South Wales and take place in Queensland for at least the next three years in a new strategic partnership.

The move is not surprising give that Foxtel’s Country Music Channel [CMC] relocated the CMC Rocks festival from the Hunter Valley to Ipswich for 2015. While the festival was stationed at Hunter’s Hope Estate the awards had been held on the event grounds, but 2015 will see them move off site.

To be hosted by musician and CMC host Morgan Evans (who cleaned up at last year's award), they will take place at Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre Thursday 12 March before the festival runs from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 at Willowbank Raceway.

“The profile of the CMC Music Awards, in addition to CMC Rocks Queensland, will position Queensland as the new home of Country music in Australia,” said Leanna Coddington, Tourism & Events Queensland CEO.

Foxtel’s General Manager, Music Channels and Head of Digital, Rebecca Batties added, “We are proud to connect with Tourism and Events Queensland who recognise the importance of supporting music events. CMC, Australia’s only Country music channel, has a long standing commitment to broaden this genre of music in Australia.”

Voting for the fifth version of the awards across eight categories, including Oz Artist Of The Year and Australian Video Of The Year, will open Saturday 17 January.

International stars such as Kasey Musgraves and Lady Antebellum will join local stars including Troy Cassar-Daley and John Williamson at CMC Rocks QLD.