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.

The Country Music Association of Australia is proud to announce that the Awards has a new major sponsor.

Jayco, one of Australia's best known and most popular travel-related companies has signed a presenting rights deal for the Awards for the next two years.

Jayco has been owned and operated in Australia by the Ryan family for over 30 years. Andrew Ryan, Jayco's Marketing Director, said "We are very excited to be associated with such a prestigious event, not only is it awarding great Australian talent, it also encourages travel within regional Australia."

CMAA president, John Williamson, was particularly pleased to welcome Jayco on board. "Personally I am thrilled that an Australian family based business that has such a strong connection with the heartland of Australia will be a major partner of the Awards. There is such a close tie between touring this great country and the music that represents it that makes this partnership with the CMAA a perfect one".

In 2007, the Country Music Awards of Australia are shaping to be a massive night with performances and presentations from Australian country music's biggest acts. The Awards are entering into the second year of its three year deal with Southern Cross Ten Television and commencing a new two year deal with the Country Music Channel to ensure that over a million Australians get the chance to embrace their love of country music.

Helping ensure that happens will be the program's new producer, ActiveTV Pty Limited, which is committed to making the 35th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia the most memorable yet.

ActiveTV Pty Ltd is one of Australia's leading television production companies. Established in 1988, it has built a reputation in live event television and series production with its flagship event being the annual Carols in the Domain. ActiveTV's General Manager, Shauna Kane, said, "We are so excited about producing the Country Music Awards for the CMAA. These awards are one of Australia's most prestigious music events. Along with our event partner, Aztech Events, we look forward to a fantastic awards night".

Finalists in all 13 categories of the 35th Country Music Awards of Australia will be announced on Thursday, 7 December, 2006. Country music's big night out just got even bigger!

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.