Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, Adam Brand, Anne Kirkpatrick and Melinda Schneider led the way when finalists in the 35th Country Music Awards of Australia, presented by Jayco, were announced at a function in Luna Park, Sydney.

Lee Kernaghan, was announced as a finalist in 6 categories (APRA Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Heritage Song of the Year, Video Clip of the Year and Single of the Year) with his 7th studio album The New Bush. Lee is no stranger to the Awards stage having won a phenomenal 20 Golden Guitars over his 14-year recording career. He is also a recent appointee to the Board of the Country Music Association of Australia.

Last year's Awards host and 4-time Country Music Award winner, Beccy Cole, collected 5 nominations (APRA Song of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Heritage Song of the Year, Video Clip of the Year and Single of the Year) for Poster Girl (Wrong Side of the World), a song she wrote after returning from entertaining the troops in the Middle East over the 2005/2006 Christmas and New Year period.

Several artists received 4 finalist placings: Adam Brand (APRA Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year) caps of a stellar year following the release of his 6th studio album, What a Life, in July. It's remains in the top 20 on the ARIA Country Albums chart, 21 weeks after its release. The daughter of Australian country music legends Slim Dusty and Joy McKean, Anne Kirkpatrick (APRA Song of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Bush Ballad of the Year and Heritage Song of the Year) was nominated for her 13th album Showman's Daughter, her first solo album since 1997. Four-time Golden Guitar winner, Melinda Schneider, was also rewarded with 4 nominations (Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Video Clip of the Year and Single of the Year) for her 4th album, Stronger.

Entering its 35th year, the Country Music Awards of Australia is Australia's longest running music awards concert, and 2007 is shaping up to being one of the biggest. Production meetings are already underway and many of this year's finalists will be directly involved as either performers or presenters on the night. The Board of the CMAA is also thrilled to have Jayco on board as the Awards presenting partner.

The 2006 Awards were dominated by Troy Cassar-Daley, who took home four Golden Guitars (Male Vocalist, APRA Song of the Year, Vocal Collaboration and Instrumental of the Year). Central Coast singer songwriter Sara Storer was crowned Female Vocalist of the Year. John Williamson and Paul Kelly were the other big winners on the night taking home with three Awards each (Album of the Year, Top Selling Album of the Year and Bush Ballad of the Year for John; Heritage Song, Video Clip and APRA Song of the Year with Troy for Paul).

Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia, Mr. Rod Laing, congratulated all finalists in this year's awards and said the level of competition reflected the incredibly high standard of Australian country music. Over 550 nominations were received, and the judging process was intense.

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.