A true blue country music stoush
 |
|
Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey have withdrawn their hit album Great Country Songbook from the 2014 Golden Guitars Picture: Phillip Blatch. Source: News Limited.
Source: News Limited
The new boss of the Golden Guitars awards has weighed into the true blue raging in country music, backing Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey’s decision not to contest the 2014 awards.
Legendary Bushwackers musician and now Country Music Association of Australia president Dobe Newton said the association regretted the “hurt that the public airing of these issues has caused Troy and Adam and their families, management, friends and fans.”
EARLIER: Cassar-Daley and Harvey withdraw from Golden Guitars
The musicians withdrew their Great Country Songbook album from contesting six Golden Guitars after outgoing CMAA president John Williamson questioned its right to be up for Album Of The Year because it was mainly covers of American standards.
Questioning eligibility … John Williamson.
Source: News Limited
“How disappointing that a wonderfully received and commercially successful product should be tarnished at a time when it should be celebrated,” Newton said in a statement issued today.
He confirmed the album had met the eligibility criteria and welcomed future suggestions to improve the voting process.
Newton also hit out at Keith Urban’s name being dragged into the debate about Australian country music’s identity.
“It is important for fans of country music, as well as casual observers, to understand that it is not the organisation’s place to dictate what can or cannot be recorded, nor what people like or want to listen to,” Newton stated.
Within the rules … Dobe Newton.
Source: News Limited
“A nomination and judging process took place strictly in line with the CMAA’s published rules.”
The CMAA applauded Cassar-Daley and Harvey’s “generosity of spirit” for their intention to attend the Golden Guitars in January to support the other nominees despite the controversy.
“I trust that the dust will not be allowed to settle so that our industry can focus on the business of promoting the great talent from our diverse country music community and the businesses and fans that support them,” he said.
###
