CMA expands reach to Australia, New Zealand, Canada

Thursday, September 1, 2022 – The Country Music Association will expand its international reach to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

"Undertaking new initiatives in Australia, and for the first time in New Zealand, is all the more special now that borders are open and our live business can resume again," said Milly Olykan, Vice President, International Relations and Development. "We have an incredible network in these markets, and we're excited to be forging the many new relationships we've gathered over Zoom these last two years. CMA is grateful that the various broadcasters we have around the world have continued to carry CMA's three network shows, giving country music artists mainstream exposure in multiple international territories."

CMA kicks off September with visits to Australia and New Zealand, curating unique events with Kane Brown and Shy Carter, plus Australian artist Melanie Dyer. While in Australia, CMA will partner with performing rights organization APRA AMCOS for SongHubs Country, a four-day songwriting camp taking place today through Sunday. Olykan will serve as curator for the event, handpicking 12 participants out of more than 75 submissions to work alongside Carter and Dyer to write and produce a commercial hit.

CMA will also have a presence at BigSound, a music industry conference on Sept. 7. Serving as keynote speaker, Olykan will highlight the growth and potential of country music within Australia's mainstream music culture as part of an interview with Natalie Waller, Chairman of the Australian Recording Industry Association and Head of Music & Events for the Australian Broadcasting CorporationCMA also will host a Nashville songwriters round at BigSound featuring Carter with local artists James Johnston, Fanny Lumsden and Loren Ryan.

CMA's Australian Task Force will host a reception on Sept. 23 at CMC Rocks, Australia's biggest international Country Music festival, returning this year after a two-year hiatus.

In New Zealand, CMA will partner with Sony Music New Zealand and Frontier Touring to host a pre-show reception with Brown on Sept. 25, leading into his performance at Spark Arena in Auckland. This marks Brown's first performance in New Zealand, and New Zealand's first major country music event since 2016.

CMA will also have a presence in Canada for the CCMA Country Music Week Conference and Festival and the Canadian Country Music Awards from Sept. 8 – 12.