Following recent tradition, CMA Music Festival week begins with two events designed to introduce an array of exciting Country artists from beyond the borders of the United States.
On Monday, June 7, the CMA Global Artist Party starts at 6 PM at The Stage, (412 Broadway), with Canadian Country artist Adam Gregory debuting as host.
The following afternoon, at The Second Fiddle (420 Broadway), CMA joins Digital Rodeo and AristoMedia to co-sponsor the Aristo Global Showcase, beginning at 4 PM. Also debuting as co-hosts are the Australian, award-winning husband-and-wife singer/songwriters O’Shea, first introduced to American audiences on CMT’s “Can You Duet.”
Admission to both is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and based on a first-come/first-served basis. Mark Moffatt, winner of CMA’s 2008 Jo Walker Meador International Award, is Music Director, and Four Seasons Coach Leasing is bus sponsor, for both events. Both shows will be executive produced by the AristoMedia Group.
Featured artists at the Global Artist Party are:
- Luke Austen (Australia) –Australia’s 2010 Toyota Star Maker competition
- Jaydee Bixby (Canada) – Season 5 “Canadian Idol” runner-up
- David Bradley (United Kingdom) – former oil field worker and bandleader in Siberia
- Sinead Burgess (Australia) –2009 CRA (Commercial Radio Australia) Breakthrough Country Artist
- Cameron Clayton (New Zealand) – 2009 New Zealand National Country Music Association Horizon Award winner
- Tim McKay (United Kingdom) – two-time winner, British Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year
- One More Girl (Canada) – winner, 2004 British Columbia Country Music Association Horizon Award winner
- Alex J. Robinson (Canada) – 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards Top New Talent Female nominee
Featured artists at the Aristo Global Showcase are:
- Travis Collins (Australia) – Australia’s 2004 Toyota Star Maker competition winner
- Emma King & The Heartsets (United Kingdom) – fast-rising “New Country” stylists
- Jessie Farrell (Canada) – opened for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, album produced by Garth Fundis
- Jo Hikk (Canada) – 2007 Chevy Rising Star Award winner, Canadian Country Music Awards
- Steven Lee Olsen (Canada) – songs recorded by Craig Moore, Melissa Lawson and more
- Ronnie Rae Rivers (Australia) –2010 Western Australian Music Awards Best Country Album of the Year winner
- European Highwaymen (Norway) – co-founder G. Thomas recorded with Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings and Marty Stuart’s Fabulous Superlatives
