Urban Dominates Australian Country Music Awards

Keith Urban, who grew up on Australia’s Gold Coast before relocating to Nashville, dominated the international categories of the seventh Country Music Channel Music Awards March 23 at Star Gold Coast.   

Greg Allen / GregAllenPhotos.com – Keith Urban
Good Morning America “Summer Concert Series,” Central Park, New York City

Urban, who toured Australian stadiums in December 2016 with Carrie Underwood, won the international artist category for the fifth time while his win of international video of the year for “Wasted Time” was his fourth in the category.

His Ripcord album was also awarded the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) highest-selling international album.

Via a video acceptance speech, he said: “I feel very proud tonight, thank you. The tour I just had in Australia was the most fun I ever had touring ever, so thank you for everyone that came out and saw us play and for supporting the album. I feel extremely grateful.

“We tour all over the world and there is always something around me that makes me feel Aussie no matter where I go. I am always going to feel that way and I am very grateful and grateful for these awards.”

The night also belonged to rising singer-songwriter Travis Collins who took out the Australian artist, male artist and video gongs. Siblings The McClymonts took the group win, Chelsea Basham the female artist, Fanny Lumsden the new artist, and Adam Brand & The Outlaws’ self-titled set was the highest-selling Australian country album.

U.S. performers included Little Big Town and Kip Moore, both in Queensland for the sold-out, 10th CMC Rocks Queensland festival, which was headlined by the Dixie Chicks and staged March 24-26 at Willowbank Raceway.

Both the awards and the festival were partnered by CMC and parent broadcaster Foxtel with Tourism and Events Queensland.

They were held the same time so that the awards could feature some of the festival’s performers, and focus on Queensland as a country music destination for Australian and international fans.

Aside from broadcasting the awards live and offering it as a streaming-on-demand, CMC also telecasts a special on CMC Rocks April 12.