Jace Everett

Jace Everett to Host Strong Slate of International Artists at Third Annual CMA Global Artists Party

By Scott Stem

You can experience the world of Country Music, including artists from around the world, during CMA Music Festival Week in June in Downtown Nashville.

CMA's commitment to Country Music on an international scale continues in 2006, with the return for a third year of the CMA Global Artists Party. Featuring the best in Country Music entertainment from around the world, the event, which serves as the unofficial kick off to CMA Music Festival, will be held at The Stage on Broadway, Monday, June 5. In each of the event's first two years, the club has been packed with fans, with a line extending a city block outside the door waiting to enter.

"The Country Music Association is not only committed to spreading Country Music around the globe, but also encouraging the development of Country Music artists from other nations," said CMA COO Tammy Genovese.

"In addition to being a wonderful spotlight for international Country Music artists, the Global Artists Party has proven to be a popular way to kickoff CMA Music Festival," said Genovese. "I want to thank Jeff Walker, Chairman of the CMA Global Markets Committee, for leading the charge of involving the best of the world's Country Music artists in CMA Music Festival."

"For three years now, CMA has been able to reach out to top talent from territories across the world and invite them to perform in Nashville," said event organizer Walker, who also serves on the CMA Board. "This exchange builds a foundation for an international Country Music community, creating opportunities for our format across the globe."

Epic Records artist Jace Everett, who toured Europe extensively earlier in his career, will serve as party host in addition to performing at the Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park on Thursday. Everett recently performed with Dierks Bentley as part of CMA's "New From Nashville" tour in Dublin, Ireland; London, England; and Glasgow, Scotland.

"After performing for the CMA 'New from Nashville' in the UK this January, my eyes were really opened to the global appeal of Country Music," said Everett.

"The Third Annual Global Artists Party during CMA Music Festival this year is going to be another great opportunity for the rest of the world to show us Americans their own brand of Honky Tonkin'. I'm looking forward to hearing some great music."

Six internationally known Country Music artists representing five countries are scheduled, presenting an electrifying show guaranteed to please the format's most ardent fans. This is a unique opportunity for the public to see and hear many acclaimed international performers including:

Brad Johner (Canada) - released his sophomore solo album Summertown Road last year, spawning two Top 10 hits. His 2003 debut solo album Free was named the Outstanding Country Music Album by the 2003 Western Canadian Music Awards and was nominated for both a 2003 Canadian Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year and a 2004 Juno Award for Country Album of the Year. Johner also received a 2004 Canadian Independent Music Award for Favorite Country Artist/Group. Before going solo, he recorded four hit albums with his brother Ken as the Johner Brothers.

Nick Kingswell (Australia) - burst onto the Australian Country Music scene by winning the 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth. The competition delivers a huge package of prizes to the winner including the opportunity to perform in Nashville during CMA Music Festival on the Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park. The 19-year old Kingswell has been performing in bands and on his own for more than eight years.

Jake Nickolai (Australia) - won a Commercial Radio Australia sponsorship trip to perform at the Global Artist Party. The 21-year old singer/songwriter released his debut EP, Think About You, in March 2005, the title cut of which reached No. 1 on the Country Music Channel chart. Nickolai was a finalist at the 2005 New Artists 2 Radio showcase, and received a 2004 Golden Guitar nomination. He was also a 2003 finalist at the Toyota Star Maker Quest; a 2002 finalist for Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year; the 2001 South Australian Champion of Champions; and the 2000 Victorian Champion of Champions.

Jacqueline Van Der Griend (The Netherlands) - excels as both a solo performer and as the lead singer, guitarist and mandolin player for Cash on Delivery (C.O.D.), one of today's most popular Dutch Country Music bands. She has built a strong fan following not only in The Netherlands, but in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. In April 2005, she received the Gram Award for Female Singer of the Year, which was presented by Country Gazette and the Dutch Country Music Association.

Tantowi Yahya (Indonesia) - is a multi-faceted entertainer, television personality and businessman. Yahya is the host of both the Indonesian television version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and the weekly series "Goin' Country" on Indonesian TV; CEO of the Country Music Club of Indonesia; Chairman of the Indonesian-American Friendship Association; Chairman and Host of the first Miss Asian Pageant organizing committee; and Director of the Indonesian Recording Industry Association. He has been certified for one Gold and two Double Platinum albums in his native country. Yahya was twice voted Favorite Television Quiz Show Host for the Panasonic Awards and was also named the Best Ballad and Country Singer and Best Traditional Album Singer for the AMI Sharp and Samsung awards.

Aileen Flanagan (Ireland) - Aileen Flanagan is the 2006 winner of the "Search for a New Country Star" competition in Ireland. Her winning performance was a rendition of the Loretta Lynn classic, "Coalminer's Daughter." As part of her prize package, Flanagan will also perform at CMA Music Festival on the Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park.

May 30, 2006