Urban, Jackson Win At Aussie Country Awards

Urban, who was born in New Zealand and grew up on the Gold Coast before relocating to Nashville, took home two gongs. He won international artist for the fourth time, and international video for the fifth time with “Raise ‘Em Up” featuring Eric Church.

In a video acceptance speech, the singer-songwriter confessed, “It feels strange to me to be considered an international artist in Queensland. But thank you very much for the support, it means the world to me.”

He also thanked Eric Church, adding, “We had a blast shooting this video.”

Alan Jackson was the recipient of the inaugural ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) highest selling international album for Angels And Alcohol.

“You’ve been good to me down there and I appreciate the CMC Award,” said Jackson, whose two arena tours downunder through Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge in 2011 and 2013 sold 90,000 tickets.

He holds the record for the fastest-selling country tour in Australian history.

The night belonged to multi-platinum singer-songwriter Lee Kernaghan, whose ode to Australian and New Zealand soldiers on his album Spirit Of The Anzacs won him best male artist, best video and ARIA highest selling Australian album.

Adam Brand, one-time speedway race driver who has cut 11 hit albums, took out CMC Oz artist of the year.

The awards, which sold out, were co-hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, who made her debut visit to Australia to play Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge’s CMC Rocks Queensland festival.

The Queensland government, as part of a strategy to make the state a country music destination, scheduled the March 10 awards a day ahead of the sold-out March 11-13 festival, which hit its 15,000 capacity.

Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, both making their debuts at CMC Rocks, also performed at the awards.