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Jasmine Rae tops CMC Music Awards

Jasmine Rae has won the Oz Artist award at the Country Music Channel Awards 2012.

Country music performer Jasmine Rae (pictured with Peter McWhirter) has won the Oz Artist award at the Country Music Channel Awards 2012.

On Friday evening, Country Music Channel (CMC) announced the winners in the CMC Music Awards 2012 at a special event held at The Great Cask Hall, Hope Estate Winery in The Hunter Valley.

The CMC Music Awards celebrate country music in Australia and allow fans to the opportunity to vote for their favourite artists in four categories, as well as honouring one artist with the CMC Hall Of Fame Award.

It’s no secret that darling of country music, Jasmine Rae, has had one of the fastest rising careers of any local artist in recent years. Her star just got even brighter as she took out the top Award for the evening and was crowned CMC Oz Artist Of The Year – Australia’s favourite country artist. 2012 certainly has a lot in store for this talented lady who has already earned the endorsement of some of the world’s biggest country acts, having toured with the likes of Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Joe Nichols, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Adam Harvey and Lee Kernaghan. Adam Brand, who previously has won this Award five years in a row, presented the elated Rae with her Award.

Country music king, Keith Urban, won two Awards, with CMC viewers voting him CMC International Artist of the Year and his music video for Without You, from the hit album, ‘Get Closer’ the CMC Music Video of the Year.

Emerging star, Peter McWhirter, was awarded CMC New Oz Artist of the Year. With four hit singles from his debut album, ‘Lucky As a Se7en’, McWhirter brought his blend of pub-rock-pop and contemporary country sounds to CMC Rocks The Hunter 2012 at the weekend.

In the final award of the night, legend of Australian music, James Blundell was the inaugural recipient of the CMC Hall Of Fame Award. This Award recognises artists who have had an impact on Australian country music beyond their own careers. In 2012, CMC is honouring the road paved by James Blundell, starting with his self-titled debut album in 1989. His influence on recording, touring and marketing his music is still having an impact on artists today.

James Blundell was presented with his Award by another of Australia’s music legends, Lee Kernaghan. Catherine Britt and Travis Collins paid tribute to the Hall of Fame inductee, each performing one of his songs that has inspired them. Britt chose Older Now while Collins closed the show with a powerful rendition of Rain On A Tin Roof.

Hosted by O’Shea, guests included artists Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil), Victoria Baillie, Jayne Denham, Kristy Cox, Jetty Road and Tori Darke. The event also included performances by O’Shea and US star Craig Campbell.

The CMC Music Awards have struck a chord with viewers as it gives country music fans nationwide the opportunity to vote for the Australian country artists they think deserve to be crowned this country’s favourite.

The CMC Music Awards 2012 were staged ahead of the fifth annual CMC Rocks The Hunter roots and country music festival, set to take place from Friday 16 March to Sunday 18 March.

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