The Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) is pleased to announce the final performers and presenters in what will be the biggest line up of Australian country music talent seen all year for the 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia to be held at the Jayco Country Theatre on Saturday, 23 January, 2010.

The final three performance places are now locked in and set to join country music luminaries LEE KERNAGHAN, TROY CASSAR-DALEY and ADAM BRAND on stage are brother and sister nominees, SARA & GREG STORER, performing When I Was a Boy which is up for two “Golden Guitar" trophies in the Heritage Song of the Year and Video Clip of the Year categories; Finalist in the Maton New Talent of the Year and Video Clip of the Year categories for two different songs, LIANNA ROSE; and Bush Ballad of the Year Finalist, and one of bush balladry's shining singer/songwriters, DEAN PERRETT.

A guaranteed highlight of the night will be a special tribute performance honouring Australian icon, John Williamson. The “True Blue" singer/songwriter will watch on from the audience as his colleagues TROY CASSAR-DALEY, SHANE NICHOLSON, MELINDA SCHNEIDER and the SONGBIRDS (Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole and Sara Storer) deliver a medley of some of his most recognised songs, as they pay tribute to his 40 years in the entertainment industry.

Also confirmed to perform at the 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco, are: CARTER & CARTER, KASEY CHAMBERS, POPPA BILL and THE LITTLE HILLBILLIES, PAUL COSTA, ADAM HARVEY + GUY SEBASTIAN, HARMONY JAMES, JETTY ROAD, AMBER LAWRENCE, THE McCLYMONTS and FELICITY URQUHART.

Joining this sensational list of talent appearing on the night as presenters will be ADAM BRAND (with his Dancing with the Stars partner, JADE HATCHER), ADAM HARVEY, AMBER LAWRENCE, DIANA CORCORAN, FELICITY URQUHART, GUY SEBASTIAN (just announced as having the highest selling single of the past decade), THE SUNNY COWGIRLS, TANIA KERNAGHAN, TRAVIS COLLINS and hosts, THE McCLYMONTS, alongside the already confirmed BECCY COLE, CATHERINE BRITT, GINA JEFFREYS and MELINDA SCHNEIDER.

Tickets for the 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco, are on sale now and can be purchased online from Tourism Tamworth at www.tcmf.com.au or by calling (02) 6767 5300. For a full list of Finalists, go to www.country.com.au.

The 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival will take place 15 to 24 January, 2010. The 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco, will take place at the Jayco Country Theatre (Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre) on Saturday, 23 January, 2010.

The 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia will broadcast on CMC on Foxtel Digital and Austar from 7.00pm on the evening of Thursday, 11 February, 2010, followed by an encore screening on Southern Cross Television and Network Ten nationally on Saturday, 13 February, 2010, at 1.30pm.

All country music artists have to start somewhere, and most often that's amongst family, friends or their local community. The best country music isn't necessarily found in the world of the existing popular or famous stars, but often in the small clubs, venues and organisations that provide country performers of any "level" the chance to share their music. That's the true nature of country music, it comes from the heart and real lives of real people.

Giving all artists the opportunity to air their music to a wider audience is an important aim of Country Music Broadcasting. CMB is keen to hear from show presenters, artists and country music organisations to see what assistance, support, promotion and broadcast opportunities CMB can help provide. Remember everyone has a beginning, and this offer via CMB to be heard on-air is an excellent chance to achieve exposure. So don't hesitate to contact CMB with your ideas and suggestions or to let CMB Radio know about any existing country radio shows you believe could benefit from the backing or support of CMB.